GREAT FOOTBALL MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 198, 19 August 1904, Page 5

GREAT FOOTBALL MATCH.

BRITAIN V. AUCKLAND. AKRANGSJdSNTS FOB TO- , MORROW. To-morrow (Saturday), at Epsom, the British team play the final match of their New Zealand tour—that ag.ainst Auckland. The visitors, who arrived yesterday morning, had a very rough trip from New Plymouth, and several i of the team suffered severely, but with i the couple of days' spell they will have before the game can confidently be expected to show their best form. The Management of the local Union have done all in their power to arrange accommodation for the large number of spectators wno are expected to be present, and while there is sure to be some crowding and ir/onvenience it will be minimised to a large extent by the excellent arrangements made bj 7 the officials. The gates are to be opened at 10.30 a.m. sharp, and on no account will anyone be admitted before that time. At the Green Lane entrance a gate will be opened for the admission of vehicles only, and the regulations regarding them will be found in our advertising col- , uruns. In order to break the monotony of the long wait between the time of opening the gates and the commencement of the game the committee have arranges matches between the Public Scboola A and B sections, which will start at 11.45 a.m., and St. John's College and St. Stephen's Native School, which commences at 1 p.m. The big giime itself starts at 2.45 p.m. sharp. In addition to the above three full bands have also been engaged, so there will be plenty to occupy the attention of spectators. The weather at the time of writing is squally, but there is plenty of time between now and to-morrow for it to take up, and if the rain only holds oil' the ground at Alexandra Park, which drys very quickly, can be expected to be in good order, and a fast and exciting game ought to result.

The local team which will take the field to-morrow is undoubtedly a strong one and during the week have put in some solid work, and are in splendid condition to put up a hard tight against their redoubtable opponents. The forwards are a fash dashing sot, and will give the visitors a lot of trouble, and while the backs are perhaps not as brilliant as their opponents, still taken on the whole they can confidently be expectPd to hold up their end. especially in defence, and if benten we have no excuses to oiler for them.

THE AUCKLAND TEAM. FULL-BACK: W. Harrison. THREE-QUARTERS: Renwick, Murray, McKenzie. FIVE-EIGHTHS: M- Wood, R. McGregor. SCRUM-HALF: Kiernan. WING FORWARD: D. Gallagher. FORWARDS: Tyler, Mackrell, Cunningham (lock), Seeling, Nicholson, Hayward, Joyce. A few remarks about the individual players might not be out of place. AUCKLAND. Colours: Blue and white. W. Harrison (Northern Wairoa), list. 91b. (full-back): Splendid kick and tackier, but a bit weak in stopping rushes. Represented Auckland in 1897----8-9, 1900-2-3. W. E. McKenzie (Grafton), 13st. 41b. (three-quarter): Splendid kick and tackier, good on the attack. Represented Auckland in 1901-2-3; was a member of New Zealand team, 1901. W. Murray (Newton), lOst. 121b. (centre three-quarter): A promising young player, who has shown first-class form in club football, dangerous in attack and solid in defence; first appearance as an Auckland representative. A Renwick (Ponsonby), 12st. 41b. (three-quarter): Another young player who showed good form in club competition. Is a bit weak in handling the balL Is a good kick. First appearance as an Auckland representative. M. E. Wood, five-eight (Ponsonby), 12st 61b: One of the best men in the position in New Zealand. Brilliant in attack, and a very heady player. Handles the ball well, but is a bit inclined to hang on too long before passing, often losing opportunifes. A bit weak in stopping rushes. Has represented Hawke's Bay, Wellington and Canterbury. Was a member of New Zealand team 1903 and 1904. R. McGregor (Grafton), 12st 71b (fiveeight) : The best all-round man in the team, brilliant in attack and solid in defence; will probably be captain. Represented Auckland in 1898-0, 1900-1, 2, 3; was a member of New Zealand teams, 1901-3-04. H. Kiernan (Grafton), lOst 21b (centre-half): Brlliant in attack, gets the ball out smartly to the five-eights, weak in defe7ice. Represented Auckland in 1900-1-2-3; was a member of the New Zealand team, 1903. D. Gallagher (Ponsonby), 13st 41b (wing): Good solid worker, very quick on to the opposing backs, and a hard tackier. Represented Auckland 1896-7----9, 1900-3; was a member of the NewZealand team, 1903-04. G. A. Tyler (City), 12 3 t 81b (forward) : One of the best front-rankers in New Zealand, good honest worker and good in the open. Represented Auckland 1899. 1900-1-2-3; was a member of the New Zealand team, 1903-04.

W. Mackerel (Newton), 13st, forward: Will take the front rank with Tyler: has not had much experience in the position, but showed good form against the Thames. Fast and dashing in open play, and a hard tackier. First appearance as an Auckland representative. W. Cunningham (Waihi), 14at (lock): Good solid scrummer and keeps the pack well together, heels out cleanly. Represented Auckland 1599-1900-1-2; was a member of the New Zealand team, 1901. —

Q. Nicholson {City), 13st 61b (for- / ward): One of the most brilliant for- / wards in Auckland, splendid in line / irork and follows up fast, deadly tackier. / Represented Auckland in 1901-2-3; was/ i member of the New Zealand team, 1903-4. —. Seeling (City), 13st 71b (forward): Another brilliant player, good scrummer, great in line work, splendid kick and solid tackier, always on th.3 ball. First season as an Auckland representative; represented New Zealand 1904. Jo"yee (North Shore), 13st (forward): Good solid scrummer and. useful in tha open.. First season as an Auckland representative. Hay ward (Thames), 12st 101b (forward) : A fast dashing forward of the Nicholson-Seeling stamp; splendid tackier; excels in line-out work; represented Auckland 1903. THE BRITISH TEAM. FULL-BACK: O'Brien. THREE-QUARTERS: Morgan, Gabe, Llewellyn, McEvedy. HALVES: Vile. Bush. FORWARDS: Rodgers, Trail, Dobson, Edwards, V. van, Swanneil, Harding, Crowther. m , Red, White and Blue. A. B. O'Brien, full-ba.ck, Hat. 61b. (Guy' 9 Hospital and Kent County), is a New Zealander. Good ail round man, fine pla.ee kick. Waa chosen as emergency for England last year. 13 manager of the present team. E. Morgan, threequarter, lOst. 61b. (Kent, Guy's Hospital and Wales), the fastest man in the team. Handles the ball well, and is a strong runner. 13 vice captain of the team. R. T. Gn.be, threequarter, list. (Middlesex and Cardiff), strong defensive player, and shows great pace in att-aek. Hus played in a number of international matchee, and is considered one oi the m-oet consistent threequartera Wales has ever produced.

W. M. Llewellyn, threequarter, lOat. Gib. (London, Welsh, Newport and Wales). One oi the most dangerous players in England. Very fast and limcult man to collar. Has represented Wales fn every engagement for the last five years, and has equalled the record of any living player in the matter of try getting. P. F. McEvedy, thraequarter, list. 41b. (Guy's Hospital and Kent County), another New Zealander. Strong defensive player and clever in attack. Was choseji a3 reserve for England last season. P. G. Bush, half-back, lOst. 41b. (London, Wales and Cardiff). The recognised star of the team. One of the best half-backs in England. Hi 3 feinting and dodging is superb. Handles the ball splendidly. Weak in defence. T. H. Vile, halKv<:k, lOst. 21b. (Newport), clever tricky player and plays well with Bush, their combination being perfect. Strong defensive player. R. W. Edwards, forward, 13st. 61b. (M.alone and Ireland), a famous Irish International forward. A clever dribbler who shines in loose play. S. Bevan, forwaru, 12st. (Swansea and Wales), a solid scrummer, follows up well, and tackles soundly. A. F. Harding, forward, 13st. 21b. (London, Middlesex and Wales), a forward of the right stamp, knows every move of the game. One of the best forwards in the team, and is a reliable place kick. D. H. Traill, forward, 14st. (Guy's Hospital and Surrey), good useful serummer and sound at every point. R. J. Rogers, forward, 12st. 21b. (Bath and Somerset), useful and clever forward. Shines in loose play and lintwork. Has the reputation of being one of the beat place kicks in England. S. N. Crowther, forward, 14st. (Lennox and Surrey), a dashing forward who never seems to tire. Solid senunmer and shines in open ptey. B. J. Swannell, forward, 12st. 41b. (England), one of the best forwards in the team, solid in the pack and clever in open play, very hard tackier. Was a member of Rev. Mullineux's team which toured Australia in 1599. Dobson, forward, 13st 41b. (Devon and England), an International forward. Captain Oxford in 1901. Splendfd forward, good in every department. Was lost to England last season owin<* to absence. ° THE REFEREE. Mr P. Mackie has been asked to act as referee in the match, and in all probability he will accept the position. Mr Mackie refereed the Britain v. Taranaki match, and gave great satisfaction.

The Garrison .Band will render the following programme at the football match Britain v. Auckland, between 12 30 and 3 p.m.: March, "Worth Star" (Ri ra . mer); overture and trombone solo "Victory" (Ord Hume); selection, "Brudder Gardner's Picnic" (Villers?); valse, "Meadows Sweet" (Keller); Wlection, '-Poet and Peasants" (Balfe); cornet solo, " Trumpet Triplets " (Smith); fantasia, "The Goblins" (Mc Cabe) ; cornet piece, "Hiawatha" (W.-ight); moreeau, "Sleigh Ride" (Round); march, "Coreoran's Cadets" (Sousa). WAIHI CONTINGENTS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) WAIHI, this day. A large number of people left by the early coach en route for the Auckland football match. Some sateen coaches are booked for the afternoon to convey further contingents. FROM RUSSELL. The Wellington left Russell this morning with 100 passengers for Auckland. HAMILTON, this day. All trains leaving for Auckland this morning were crowded wi-th visitors to the football match. Every one who can leave is going, and Waikato will be deserted for the ri xt few days. TELEGRAPHIC ARRANGEMENTS. The telegraphic arrangements on the ground in connection with the British match are now being completed under the direction of Mr W. G. Meddings, inspector of telegraphs. Considerable satisfaction has been caused by the announcement that the public, by filling in the names and addresses of their friends upon telegraph forms before or during the progress of the match, can have the final score filled in and promptly wired txoxa the pavilion*

THE BRITISH TEAM. OFFICIAL WELCOME TO AUCKLAND. ENGLISHMEN'S INTERESTING SPEECHES. The reception 01 mc British team by the Mayor of Auckland took place in the Municipal thi3 morning, when a very large and enthusiastic demonstration was made, a compiimeut which the visiting footballers must iiuve Highly appreciated, so thoroughly hearty was t;ie civic greeting.

The Mayor (the Honi. E. Mitchelson) and several members of the City Council were present, and footballers were naturaln- well represented. Those present included Messrs Devore (president of the New Zealand and Auckland Rugby Football Unions), Galbraith (treasurer New Zealand Union, who is travelling with the British team), M. J. Sheehan (chairman Auckland Union), C. V. Langsford (treasurer), C. E. MacCormick (secretary), G. Pilkington, P. R. Fraser, G. P. Murray, and C. Stichbury (members of the Management Committee), Lang, A. J. Parker and J. C. Webster (old Auckland reps.), H. Frost (a Canterbury veteran footballer), F. S. Murray (Auckland selector), and Duncan McLean (president of the Waihi Rugby Union). The Council chamber, in which the reception took place, was crowded to the doors with interested spectators, the members of the British I earn occupying seats in an enclosure in the centre of the room. THE MAYOR'S WELCOME. The Hon E. Mitehelson, as Mayor of Auckland, extended a very hearty welcome to the British footballers. He hoped Captain Bedell-Sivright and his men would have a very pleasant and enjoyable time in Auckland. All Auc.dandera would agree with him that from the .idvent of the team in Australia their novements had been watched with a considerable amount of interest throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. The games had been followed very closely. New Zealand was essentially a .ootball country, and although they .iad oftentimes been beaten by Engii=h ceams, they flattered themselves that they could at least hold their own in football, though their population was a small one. (Hear, hear.) No sooner did the team arrive in New Zealand ihan the interest in the games became mtensified, and he did not think that such excitement had ever been experienced in New Zealand as had been witnessed on the day of the match between Britain and New Zealand. It was a great trial of skill, the Mayor continued and the interest must have been considerable when people would go to witness the match from all parts of the colony. Whatever the result of Saturday s match, he thought he could speak ror the citizens of Auckland when he said that they were appreciative and impartial, and would give the English .earn every credit for their play. Good pay by whatever team, would be applauded and, added Si s Worship emphatically, "May the best team win" corned the British footballers to Auckland. Speaking to the Englishmen who sat close to him, he said they had worthily upheld their reputation as good footballers, at J the country which sent them could take credit for their performances in the colonies. When the idea of a British team visiting Australia was mooted, New Zealand became interested at once, and negotiations were successful in bringing the Englishmen to New Zealand. They had had their trial of strength in friendly rivalry, with the result fhey all knew. A debt of gratitude was due to the New South Wales Union for having sacrificed their enjoyment and a great deal of money tor the gratification of New Zealand footballers. He was told that the Englishmen knew how the game was to be played— applause from the spectators and they could teach New Zealanders, as was natural, something about it. The local team to meet them on Saturday was a good one, the best they could get, and he assured the Englishmen that the Aueklanders would make the match vrry interesting for them. (Laughter.) Mr. Devore concluded by expressing his hope that the visitors would enjoy themselves, that they would take back pleasant memories of New Zealand, and that when they returned to the Old Land, which all New Zealanders looked upon as Home, their journey would be a safe and prosperous one. (Applause.) It was mentioned that Mr. W. A. Rand, secretary of the New South Wales Football Union, was present, and Mr. Devore extended him a hearty welcome. THE ENGLISH CAPTAIN.

Mr. Bedell-Sivright, who was given a very rousing reception, spoke appreciatively of the demonstration, and said his team had had a very fine time in New Zealand. They had been welcomed by everyone, and treated absolutely in the best way they could wish. They were under a debt of gratitude to the New South Wales Union for allowing them to come to New Zealand. Football in New Zealand was very, very good, and they had been given good gi*mes. They could not teach New Zealanders much, and they had not coma to New Zealand to teach them anything at all, because football here was at a pretty high standard, as every New Zealander would by this time have realised. But for the generosity of New South Wales his men would hs.ve gone back to England thinking New Zealand was but a small island. "It is not that," he added, and, he continued, "We can quite realise how you can make your mark in football as well as in anything else." He s-aid the team's tour in Australia was very successful f -om a scoring point of | view, but the Australians were under' some disadvantage in the way they played the game as compared with New Zealanders, who had soft grounds, and did not mind having a bump. (Laughter.) "We found the ground fairly soft on Wednesday," continued the captain smiling, as he though of the mud and teeming rain of Taranaki. Then, with a final word of thanks for the reception, he gpve place to Mr. O'Brien, the manager. THE BRITISH MANAGER. Mr. O'B.ien declared that the team had had a right royal time in the colony, and that they had not seen any football enthusiasm in the world equal to what they s>aw in Wellington. All over the colony it had been the same, and they had enjoyed their games very much. He adedd a word of appreciation of the New Scith Wales Union's action in allowing the team to visit New Zealand, and concluded by saying that instead of the interest in the tour nagging after three moneys, it seemed to be unflagging in New Zealand, which went to show that the spirit *>f sportsmamHp was v*ry strong here. (Applause.) The Mayor's invitation for three cheers for the British team met with a

deafening response, and the Britisher's cheer for Auckland's citizens, though less in volume, was very hearty. After the reception the team was entertained to refreshments in the Mayor's room. FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES. A CHAT WITH MR. O'BRIEN. At the present moment when foot bull is the main topic of conversation throughout the colony, our readers should be especially iiitr-r----ested in the views ol anj. ue who can claim to speak with authority on the game as it is pi. \ od both iv England and Australasia, i.ie opinion of Air. U'JJrien, the manager of the British team now in Auckland, can hardly fail to carry conviction on this subject; because he is in the first place above all things a colonial, and only secondly—and a long way after —an "English" footballer. The youngest of a family famous in the history of Canterbury football, he learned the game first at St. Patrick's College, Weliing- ■ ton, and later at the Boys' High School, Christchurch, and when he went Home to Guy's Hospital six years ago he was able to step at onse into his proper place in first-class Rugby. Along with another New Zealander, Mr McEvedy, also a member of the British touring team, he has played for Guy's Hospital for the last five years; he has played for Kent for four seasons, and helped it to win the county championship; and this year these two New Zealanders have been practically first emergencies both for the Irish and English international fifteens. Mr. O'Brien has thu3 seen a great deal of the best Rugby played anywhere; he has just collected a number of fresh impressions during the British team's tour of triumph in Australia; and he has been good enough to express his views on the game as it is now played to a "Star" representative who somewhat unfeelingly captured him immediately on his arrival : fter an abominable West Coast voyage. "Is there very much difference between the way the game as played here and the way they play it at Home?" was the first question submitted.

"Well," said Mr. O'Brien, "there is a considerable difference both forward and back. Of course, as you know, we play the four three-quarter game, with two halves. The Welsh clubs, who seem to lead the way in Rugby methods generally, play a scrum half and what is called a five-eighths here, and they have made passing a fine art. As to the forwards, we play eight men in the scrum, without wings—we don't believe in wings—but there is no regular scrum formation. The man who gets to the ball first is "first down." No, I don't think that our forwards do pay enough attention to the organisation of tins scrum. But they make up for it m dribbling and footwork. They don't pass the ball from hand to hand much, like the forwards here, but they break up quickly and use their feet well, playing to each other. The dribbling among the forwards and the "centreing" of the ball among the backs are the two points in which the British game differs most from colonial Rugby." "Is there anything very noticeable about the Aiistralian play?" "Well, they play the four three-quar-ter game, but their passing is not good enough; in fact, if you let it go far enough it usually kills itself. The forwards are fairly good, but they seem to be wanting in stamina somehow; at least they don't play up well against a heavy score. They have at least two men who are really good—Wickham and Redwood—and Redwood is, of course, a New Zealander. But on the whole they are a long way below the level of New Zealand Rugby." "Do you think that the game ha 3 improved in New Zealand since you left for Home?"

"I think," said Mr. O'Brien, "that the forward play has improved, but the backs don't seem any better than they were. The forwards play a strong, fast game, with, plenty of dash; but they kick far too hard, and so give the opposition backs plenty of time. When I was playing full back at Wellington the ball almost alwaya got to us in the rushes long before the forwards. The place kicking seems poor everywhere. The backs don't appear to mc to be so brilliant or so dashing as some that I can remember here. Perhaps, as you say, we have struck an "off season -, in backs. But all the New Zealand teams have played a hard powerful game. Canterbury gave U3, perhaps, the most "solid" game all round; and Otago played up splendidly in the second spell against a big lead. As to the great match at Wellington, they all played hard, though they didn't make by any means the best of their chances. "Now that you have seen our play again, Mr. O'Brien, what chance do you think the New Zealand team will have on its English* tour nest year?" "If you can manage to send Home a team as good as the one that beat us lat Wellington, they ought to win quite I three-fourths of the matches they play. ] Some of the Welsh clubs —Newport and Swansea—and one or two English club?, such as Devonport Albion, may beat them. They should beat the counties, as they play a keener, harder geme I than the average county teams. But i the international teams would beat [ them, both back and forward. r .~he i Scotch and Welsh forward-* are just as ! powerful and dashing, and much cloverpr i with their feet; and the international j backs are, generally speaking, better all I round. Of course the team would iinI prove greatly in combination as well as in individual skill during thf> tour; and it should be a very good thing for New Zealand football." "Is there likely to be murh interest taken in tne team at Home when it gets there 1" I "Well, of course any thing from the • colonies is certain of a good reception in England. As to Rugby football, you know that the game never draws such crowds as the Association Cup ties. But it is quite a mistake to think that it is dying out. The Northern Union is certainly expiring; but they did not play genuine Rugby, and professionalism has helped to "kill them. In the Continued on page two.