ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 199, 20 August 1904, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

I quote some of the most interesting bits from an interview which a "Sydney Referee" writer had with the genial manager and captain of the New South Wales team, Mr F. Robinson, upon their return from the New Zealand tour. Says Mr Robinson: "The team were delighted with the hospitality extended them. They desire to specially thank Messrs F. Courtney (host a—tret—ry, KJS Aaso-

ciation), Gibbs (hon. treasurer, N.Z. Association), and Roberts and Braithwaite, vim are one and all very keen enthusiasts. The Premier of New Zealand (Mr Seddon) and Sir Jo-eph Ward, as well as public men and the Mayors and Councillors of different cities visited, were also very kind to the party. At Invercargill the men amused and tried to keep themselves warm by running round the 'southernmost lamp in the world.' It is a bit Antarctic at Invercargill, but the lamp helps to keep things warm. The team was rather unfortunate in losing any of the matches," continued the manager, "although bad shooting by the forwards, which was responsible for the losses, must be regarded as a weakness in play. Nevertheless, the combination of tbe team was superior to anything shown against us in any of the matches. The New Zealanders in the early part of the tour were very weak in 'heading,' but they were quick to profit by the lessons shown by McMahon and Moore, with the result that in the second Test Match the 'heading' by their backs was but little inferior to that of the N.S.W. men. The ' grounds were against our style of play, as we never had a dry ground all through the tour. Our forwards tried the fast passing game, while the New Zealanders, who better understood their grounds, adopted slower tactics. Towards the end of the tour, our forwards were, however, more successful in adapting their play to suit the slow turf. The first Test Match at Dunedin was splendidly contested, though N.S.W. were the better eleven. The same may be said of the second Test Match, at Wellington. With the exception of the Test Matches, the best display against us was made by Wellington. Goal-keeping in New Zealand is a strong point Their custodians are far superior to any in New South Wales. The backs are good, strong, solid players, and some of them are very fine kicks. The halves, though good defenders, never at any time during the tour displayed the judgment of the New South Wales halves. The forwards include some grand individual players, but they do not go in for the crossing game as much as we do here. The team went through the tour without a serious 'injury being sustained. Medea lfe and Harrison have not return3d to Sydney. They stopped at Wellington, where they intend to settle down. The New Zealand Association," concluded Mr Robinson, "is now very keen on sending a team to New South Wales next year, as our tour over there was a great finon cial success. They expect to get a team together, which will give New South Wales a shaking up, and at the same time to provide some football to interest the public. The New Zealanders, while over here, would like to extend their visit to Queensland, a fact tbe Council of the New South Wales Association might make a note of." Delegates of associations representing Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland foregathered recently in Paris with the object of forming an International Federation, which shall have the regulation of all matters relating to international Association football in Europe. During the conference Germany telegraphed its acceptance of the principle of the new federation, and as Austria and Italy are, it is understood, certain to join, the "Federation Internationale de Football Association"' has at least the support of practically all the recognised nationalities where the Association game is at present played. The English International Board has adopted the following decisions, recommended by the Football Association: Law 4: The whole of the ball must have passed over the goal line or touch line before it is out of play. Law 7: The corner flag must not be removed when a corner kick is being taken. Law 11: Wearing soft indiarubber on soles of boots is not a violation of this law. Law 13: That linesmen should be neutral. Linesmen, when neutral, should call the attention of the referee to rough play or ungentlemanly conduct, and generally assist him in carrying out the game in a proper manner. These, of course, have been understood, but are now added to the official rule book. There is, however, anything but a neutral understanding between referees and linesmen. Medcalf, the tricky little forward who came across with the New South Wales team, has obtained employment in Wellington, and has joined the Swifts Club. Medcalf would be a gem in any team, and the Empire City is exceedingly fortunate in securing his services. The Corinthian Club, senior champions, expect to leave for the South on the 31st inst. Some of the regular players will have their places filled by outsiders, Sale being unable to go, while Whitehead and Grice have gone back to England. The team play Taranaki at New Plymouth, and will very likely meet St. John's (of Wellington) in Wanganui. The game has not been started in the latter township yet, or else is very young, and the visit will strengthen the link in the Association chain. The Domain is getting quite a gathering ground for clergymen. Last Saturday no fewer than six could be counted watching the junior cup final. The fight for the second grade cup, which ia always exceedingly keen, came off last week, when Corinthians won the Falcon Cup and junior championship by one goal to nil from the last year's holders, St. John's. The teams were evenly matched, and doggedly fought out the game inch \j inch. Just before time a wild cheer fold that Corinthians had scored, and the game was then practically over. The junnor grade matches this year have been all keenly fought out, the stamp of player as regards physique, and the combined and individual -play of the men being much in advance of anything outside the senior clubs in former years. The third grade tournament was commenced last week, and will be completed next Saturday. The tournament in the other grades will also be held on that day. Tabernacle completed their unfinished match with Thistle, in which the latter had a lead of one goal, and as the Tabbites scored two in the twenty-five minutes they go down as runnera-np in the s—»_r grade.