FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 26 April 1928, Page 14

FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA.

RIVALRY OF THE CODES

GAINS AND LOSSES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ' SYDNEY, April 18.

In a few weeks' time football will be in full swing again. The return of the Waratahs from Britain means a great asset to the code in Australia, for the team has achieved notable success abroad, and this must mean a resultant fillip to the New South Wales competitions. As in the case of the All Blacks, in 1924, the tour has advertised a more or less rejuvenated game, and the State officials are already counting the profits they expect to rake in this coming winter.

Rugby will have strong opposition to oonterfd with in the pending visit of the English League team. The laitter's tour is of just as much interest to New Zealand as it is here, in view of the extension of the itinerary to include the Dominion. In the opinion of Australian players now claiming handaomo salaries from English clubs Australia has the best prospects of winning the "ashes." A- most important phase of 'the battle for players between the Homeland and the colonies wae enacted without any noticeable stir at a recent meeting of the New South Wales Rugby League. A former English player asked for permission to take up the game in this State. Any prospect of an argument blew over when the player was declared a free agent, allowed to go where he pleases. It was quite a casual sort of ruling, but it meant the absolute wiping out of the residential qualification agreement between England and Australia which caused so'much heartburning last year. The player concerned at the meeting in question was- Norman Parkinson, until la&t year with St. Helen*, one of the most famous Lancashire c.ubs. Hs had, he declared, received • release f TI

his club; but had left the -'-piper in England. He wanted to a,ccept the position of player-coach at Wellington (N-S/Wh

One opponent "to. Parkinson's release was Mt. W. A. Cann, who declared that because England had broken the contract Australia should not commit a wrong afeo. Two wrongs did not make a right. Nevertheless, Mr. Cann changed his mind when the burly English forward made it clear that he would reside in Australia permanently, and unanimous permission was granted Pairkinson to plav.

While the outlook for Rugby and ifark clouds loom on the Soccer horizon. Just at the moment the 'break bet\V«ei» the professional and amateur adherents has divided the ranks. A reconciliation is hoped for, but it is extremely unlikely to eventuate.

Harry Bosward's Retirement. The veteran Sydney Rugby selector, Mr. T. H. ("Harry") Bosward, has retired. Mr. Bosward, who has many triends in the Dominion, having visited there with the Waratahs of past years, has a wonderful knowledge of the game, is aa able coach, and is hever swayed by

personal prejudice. He has helped to put many splendid teams in the field, many of the men owing him a lot for the advice he has given them, and he has also done much for the game as a journalist. He is the kind of supporter that Rugby will miss badly.

In response to a cable from the Warn - tghs at sea A. C. Wallace was elected as the third selector, although some delegates thought it unwise to have an active player on the hoard.

Rugby Players Refuse League Offers. The English League has an eagle eye on some of the Waratahs. The reports that J. Ford was offered £1500 and J. W. Breckenridge £1000 are untrue. These players were approached unofficially by Harold Wagstaffe and asked if there was a possibility of their staying in England. Both said "No." Breckenridge declares he would not play the League game for £10,000. The English Rugby Union was very pleased that the League's advances were rebuffed.

In another direction, however, several of the players will be lost to the game through retirement. B. Egan, suffering from a muscle rupture, which will not heal, is retiring at the age of 19 years, if an operation fails. J. Blackwood does not want to play again, as he is to be

married in three weeks' time. Tom Lawton's business interest will take him to Brisbane, where he hopes to re-estab-lish the game. Ted Thorn will make his last season, in view of a promise that he would stick by the club, and it is said that "Johnny" Wallace's game against New South Wales for the Waratah's will be the last of his career. So, in some ways, the Rugby game will not benefit from the tour and what it has taught. Waratahs As Cricketers. Some of the Waratahs are very handy with bat and ball. Alec Ross, the brilliant full-back, was the only first-grade player to score a double century. University has missed the services of Ross this season at the crease and in the field. Syd King, a dashing centre, is a left-hand medium-paced bowler of great promise, and was chosen last year to play in the New South Wales v. -The Rest trial game. B. Egan was a G.P.S. representative; while W. Meagher and C. Fox are keen lower-grade players.