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Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z.

Visits by Overseas Teams

Visits by Overseas Teams

When Harding's Anglo-Welsh team visited Gisborne in July, 1908, the hotels were so heavily booked up that the party had to be split up. According to R. A. Barr (True Story of the Tour), one landlord greeted page 437 his guests from overseas with the remark: “Oh! So you are the British footballers. We've heard about you. I hope that you will behave yourselves like gentlemen!” They did, and profuse were the apologies. The official reception is described as the most loyal experienced by the team. Wi Pere told the visitors:

“As we fought in the past, so we are going to fight again. But, as you have come with love in your hearts, it will be only a fight of sport. Strangers! You will be playing against some of my grandchildren. I warn you that you may be struck down as if by lightning! I say to you: ‘Pakehas, be careful! Welcome! Welcome to you!’”

Poverty Bay was represented by: Dr. Wi Repa; G. Rowe, Graham and Malloy; Kaipara and Watchorn; Brown Turei; Nicolas, Newton, Lowe, Paratene, McKenzie, Scott, Heke and Lyons. The visitors won by 26 points to nil.

1921: Springboks defeated Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay at Napier by 14–8. Poverty Bay and East Coast players in the combined side: Pare Tureia, J. Mill, W. te Whata, Tom Heeney, W. J. Langlands and E. G. Torrie. In the match Springboks v. Maoris. Tureia captained the home side. Springboks won, 9–8. New South Wales defeated Poverty Bay, 26–8, in 1921.

1923: New South Wales lost to Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay, 15–32.

1925: New South Wales defeated Poverty Bay-East Coast, 11–3.

1930: Prentice's British team defeated Poverty Bay-Bay of Plenty-East Coast, 25–11.

1937: Springboks defeated Poverty Bay-Bay of Plenty-East Coast, 33–3. Eric Grant, who played for the combined side, became a member of the New Zealand Universities' team which toured Japan, and, during World War No. 2, he was selected to play for Scotland.

1946: Australia defeated Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay, 19–11.

1949: Australia, 20; Poverty Bay-East Coast, 12.