BACK FROM ENGLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6491, 10 April 1908, Page 5

BACK FROM ENGLAND

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS. COMMENTS ON NORTHERN UNION GAME. , FAST AND ATTRACTIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 9, 11.49 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 9. The members of the New Zealand professional Rugby team arrived here to-day in good health. The Now South Wales League welcomed them. The players are not inclined to talk on the financial aspects of their tour, or on certain incidents which happened during the tour. They had a fine trip, and wore most hospitably treated. Generally speaking, things went well in England. Johnston says be thought ho never saw or played football till he played the Northern Union game. It is largely built upon giving spectacular displays. The game is necessarily so open and fast that it is attractive at all stages. The greatest difficulty the New Zealanders experienced was not in learning the new but forgetting old rules. It was hard at the outset’to grasp the opposing tactics. The games were all exceedingly fast. The hook divisions at Home occasionally gave glimpses of phenomenal form. Some of the most important games were played on sloppy, dirty grounds. On the whole the playing areas were rather rough. Johnston understands that the idea of the New South Wales League is to play nine matches Against the Now Zealanders—throe at' Sydnoy. three al Newcastle, and throe at Brisbane. The team maintained exercise on the voyage, and are now in the best forin ; and ahlo'to do. themselves justice.