FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 202, 26 August 1899, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND REP TEAM-

. The Auckland team to represent our province in the Southern ■ tour leave by s.s. Rotoiti on Tuesday morning, next. Taken all round the team is looked on as a fairly strong one. . Had George Smith, the amateur champion sprinter of the colony, who was fcjnqwn as the "greyhound" °f the last' team which visited' Australia, and O. Riley, our crack five-eights, been able to go the team would undoubtedly have been the best we ebuld select. . With this pair absent the team is. weaker in attack.

The following is a description of the Auckland team: —

, G. Gillett, full-back: First appearance as a rep.; learned football at Hamilton, Waikato; splendid kick with either foot, good tackier, and a very cool player, though young.

H. G. Absolum: Well-known in the South and Auckland's best three-quar-ter. Represented Auckland in the years 1895, 1896, 1897, and 1898. Very few can take or pass a ball so neatly. Will probably captain team. R. McGregor, three-quarter: Very strong in defence, but lacking in speed. Represented Auckland last year.

McPike, centre three-quarter: First appearance as rep; follows his club mate Absolum in style; strong in defence, and quick and neat kick.

W*. Harrison, wing three-quarter: Represented Auckland in 1897 and 1898..- Fast and handles the ball well.

Pilliuger, three-quarter: Made his first appearance this season as senior player, and his first appearance as rep. 'He is a very young player of great promise. . He tackles like a bull dog, and a useful man in the team. He can play three-quarter, five-eights, or centre half.

R. H. Phelan, five-eights.—Although this player travelled South with the 1897 team his services were not availed of. He has greatly improved this season, and. he is fast and dashing, and very unselfish.. .

Young, centre-half .—The "baby" of the team, and Que of the smallest rep, players in the colony. First season as senior player and rep. Though light, is quick in passing out. *,f. 'Laing, wing forward—Represented Auckland, in 1896 and- 1898, and has also represented Taranaki. Dashing player, clever with feet, and always oh the ball. -

A. Wilson, wing forward. —First appearance 'in this position. Well known as a pack forward in the Auckland rep. team of 1896-97, and a membr of the New Zealand team which visited Australia in 1897.

J. Gillett. —Undoubtedly one of the first '•forwards in the colony. Real solid grafter, clever with feet,, a front ranker, and great punt. Played for Auckland in 1897 and 1898.

Irvine, forward. Plays in the front row, clever in hooking the ball. Played in Wellington last year. Scott, his first appearance. He is a good solid worker and follows up well.. : -.•:;'■■>.-.

C. McGregor—next to Gillett perhaps the best-. forward in the team. He is great on the line out. Represented Auckland last year.

Cunningham, His first appearance. He is ai real honest grafter and good on the line out.

Fred. Murray, one of the best known forwards in the colony, and has represented Auckland since he was 17 years of age. He also has been included in the. N.Z.. teams, which visited Australia in 1893 and 1897. Playing as well as ver.

D. Gallagher, a clever forward. Fast and good with his feet. ,He represented Auckland in 1896-97.

Wilson, a tall forward, clever on the liijev >Wi ":drij>bles well. is his^fl'Fst appearance. He has played in Christchurch.

Geo. Tyler .is. a- ]'$oxv_g forward of great promise: He. is a. hard worker and <follows up well: "'-He isfdYouii-bly known as Auckland's crack swimmer, jit is "his fir_.t appearance* in a rep. team.