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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1936. Volume 7. Number 2.

Hot News from the Far East

Hot News from the Far East

"Smad" Interviews Returning University Team

The "Smad" reporter was up bright and early on Monday to interview the members of the N.Z. University team returning from their very successful tour of Japan. Weir House was there in force to provide a noisy but enthusiastic welcome from the wharf. Well done, Weir!

Due either to a bad night before or just natural laziness, there wasno sign of a footballer on board when the boat drew near. After sundry cries and hakes from Weir, Stan Eade appeared-huge and smiling, followed by Mr. Martin-Smith, even more huge and smiling. Dick Wild and the others slowly came into view. More hakas and question from the wharf to which the team replied by giving three "Banzais" (correct spelling?) which appears to be a cross between a haka, three cheers, and a fascist Salute.

"Smad" then had the task of getting aboard, which was accomplished after posing as the Consul for Japan, the Registrar, and Mr. Savage.

"Ask Dick Wild."

Mr. Martin-Smith was first cornered, but all he would say was that the now weighs 10 st, 6 lb., and that he'd brought plenty of money back. We then tried many others, but all we could get, "You see Dickie Wild,"—"Ask Dick, he knows," from which "Smad" gathered our V.U.C. representative had both seen and done much that was worth while. However, all dick would promise was a report, much bowdlerized, we fear.

Finally two Otago men, messrs. Jones and H. F. Fookes, generously granted "Smad" an interview. The at former seemed very proud of his sun helmet which ("Smad" was told), cost a mere 1/6 in Japan.

Mr. Jones at once declared that as far as the social side went, they had been given the best. Everything had been wonderfully organized, buses being put at their disposal for sightseeing, although these were a little small for our hefty men who had great difficulty in squeezing themselves into them. Talking about things being small, Mr. Jones said they had found the baths inadequate as these were only 3 ft. 6 in. long. It appears that in Japan one merely stands in the bath and pours water over one's head. Mr. Bush's first attempt to was in such a contraption was witnessedwith much amusement by the whole team. "Smad" was told to inform V.U.C. students that there is no truth in the tale that Japanese maids wash the backs of guests—at least none of the team had the experience.

"Smad" asked what they thought of the Japanese women and was surprised to find they didn't like the kimono, they preferred to see women in European clothes-well, it's all a matter of taste!

High Standard of Play.

We then interviewed Mr. Fookes about the actual play during the tour and he told us the standard was far higher than they had first imagined. It was not the easy picnic that many thought it would be. The Japanese team trained both winter and summer and, consequently were very fit. Also they took the game very seriously, as they do any sport, specialising in one sport only and making a good job of it. Mr. Fookes considered they would beat any University College team in New Zealand. They played seven forwards and eight backs, the extra outside being, in reality, aforward but playing in the backs-a scheme our men adopted.

The greatest deect of the Japanese style of football however is the fact that the team is over-coached-thus destroying all individuality. They played the American type of game, i.e. they have some fixed system or movement to which they adhere no matter what happens.

In conclusion, despite sea and other sickness which at some time or other attacked all but a few stalwarts, it was they thought, as many others alsotold "Smad," a most delightful and interesting tour.