Warm Welcome Assured.

Every two years a series of Tests between the New Zealand University and either Sydney University or the Australian Universities is fought out.

For Years, when New South Wales was the only Rugby Union Slate. Sydney University sent teams to New Zealand to do battle in these Tests, not now that Rugby has a good hold in the other States it is thought by the University football authorities in Australia that it would be a more representative encounter should the other Australian Universities be represented.

Consequently the last University team to visit us from Australia was a side which represented the Australian Universities, although it had but one man in it who came from a University other than Svdney, namely. Nairn, of Melbourne. However, this was a step forward, and the present team is much more representative, although it has no Queensland players in it.

The last Australian Universities Team to visit New Zealand comprised the following players:—Fullback. C. McMullan; wing three-quarters, O. Dangar, D. Nairn, A. Kennedy; centre three quarters, D. Kennedy, C. Rountree, J. B. Barker, F. S. Flynn; five-eighths, J. G. Nicholas, R. [unclear: Maclean]; half-back, N. K. Lamport; front row forwards, M. M. Ramsden. H. C. Wiseman, M. Morton, W. J. B. Beveridge; second row forwards, C. Aherns, C. R. Neild, M. Cay; lock forwards, M. R. Morey, A. Robertson (also second row forward); breakaway forwards, C. A. H. Dezarnaads, W. D. Cunningham, and D. Joyce. This team totted New Zealand in 1929.

The last series of Tests was played in 1931 in Sydney against Sydney University. if being impossible to arrange them against the Australian Universities. On this occasion they were won by New Zealand, who were represented by a very fine side, which afterwards defeated New South Wales by 28 points to 10.

The team visiting New Zealand at present comprises as follows:—

Full-backs: R. Westfield and T. E. H. Laurie. Three-quarters: A. K. Kennedy (captain), P. Hard-man, D. P. Rowe, and I. Turner. Five-eighths: H. Rees and C. R. Lowndes. Half-backs: H. Pearson and J. Champain. Forwards: R. D. Booth. A. W. Robertson, E. L. Elias, J. Theodore, H. Bond, C. J. N Leleu, C. F. McWilliam, R. J. Emerson, R. Mackey, J. Yuncken, and E. Spring.

The most noted player in the side is probably R. Westfield. a New Zealand-born player. Westfield represented New South Wales in the 1928 team to New Zealand under Syd. Malcolm, one of the best teams to come from Australia for years. He made a great showing on the tour, and was hailed as a successor to the famous Dr. A. W. Ross, the captain of the present Wallabies, now en route to South Africa. The succeeding season Westfield found Ross still in the same splendid form which has gained him world-wide renown, and consequently could not make the first test in front of him. However, when Ross was injured and unable to play in the tests that followed Westfield stepped into the side in his place and gave fine exhibitions.

As well as Westfield the tourists will have T. E. H. Laurie to call on for full-back. He hails from Melbourne, where he formerly played the Australian Rules game. A good kick, with a sure pair of hands, he has twice represented the combined Australian Universities at full-back.

A. K. Kennedy, the team's captain, is also a well known New South Wales player, being a member of the last Australian Universities' team to New Zealand. He has represented his State several times, and is a very tricky wing.

Turner, who also plays wing-three-quarter is another Melbourne man, whilst Lowndes, the five-eighths, a former Otago University man and New Zealand University boxing champion, but now of Melbourne University, represented Victoria against the Wallabies in the game played at Melbourne before they left for South Africa.

Of the forwards, Yuncken, Spring, and Emerson are from Melbourne.

It is apparent from the foregoing notes that the side is quite a representative one, and the manager, Mr. J. Gunther, from Sydney, states that he considers it to be the strongest the Australian Universities have yet sent to New Zealand. The backs are fast and nippy, whilst the forwards, though not particularly heavy, are tall and fast-moving. It is to be regretted that no players from Queensland and Adelaide Universities were able to make the trip, but the present team should provide sparkling football for New Zealand football fans.

The team will meet Victoria University College at Athletic Park on Wednesday, the 24th of May. A ball in their honour is to be held at the Mayfair Cabaret on Monday, the 22nd May.