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“League stars into a spot of PR”

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Description: These images were taken for the Evening Standard on 23rd June 1990 but were not published. They depict members of the New Zealand ‘Kiwi’s’ Rugby League squad training at Queen Elizabeth College before their test match against Great Britain, held at the ‘Oval’ – today’s Arena Manawatū.

An article was written Campbell Mitchell (although the published image was not found in this set). It is reproduced below:
“RUGBY league won't become the national sport while provinces like Manawatu are entrenched in rugby, New Zealand team coach Bob Bailey said.

Bailey, in Palmerston North with the New Zealand team to play Great Britain in the first test at the Oval at 3pm tomorrow, said it would take more than a couple of hours of league on television to convert Manawatu's ardent rugby fans.

The hardest task was dragging rugby supporters along to their first live game of league. "After that they are hooked".

Bailey has taken the problem into his own hands by promoting the game, using his team as the star attraction. Since arriving in the city on Monday, Bailey has taken his team to more than a dozen taverns, three schools, McDonalds, and a walkabout through the Square. The team has' gone out of its way to sign autographs and mingle in crowds.

The public response has been excellent, with hundreds turning up to watch practices. The players have been mobbed by children and adults alike wanting autographs. Apart from autograph books, the players have signed jackets, knee supports, shoes, school shirts and leg casts.

"The test will be one of the best things for league in Palmerston North. A good performance on the field in the test could raise league's popularity to that of Sydney and Auckland."”