RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7024, 12 January 1910, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ENGLAND. THE NORTHERN UNION GAMJE. FBOII ODX6 SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, November 26. David MoPhadl, ex-captain of the Sydenham '(Christchurch) • football team, and an ex-Canterbury rep., is the latest addition to tho ranks of colonial players in Northern Union football. McPhail had a trying experience on the voyage from New Zealand, being a/vory poor sailor. Ho lost about a' stone in weight during the voyage. McPhail is only twentyfour years of ago, and “Sid” Turtill, of St. Helens, a former colleague, speaks highly of his, abilities as a centre three-quarter. Ho witnessed his first Northern ■ Union - game at "Widens a few days ago. L. B. Todd, formerly of Auckland, and now playing for Wigan, came back from a visit to New Zealand in the same heat which brought MdPhail. The statement that bo brought the latter to Wigan is i contradicted by Todd, who met; his new colleague for tho first time on tho boat. - Speaking of the continual importations 'of players from overseas, ... a , ' contributor to the “Athletic News” remarks, apropos McPhail; —“Tho ‘preliminaries’ were conducted through another . colonial now playing Northern League football, and I would appeal to the Northern Union to declare their displeasure with either colonials or . Englishmen who are making "a business of these introductions. The < 1 game in rtho colonies must suffer, and if the Northern Union will bo as firm .with colonial players outside os they are with those connected with the colonial Northern Union clubs this traffic will cease. During the week I heard of another ‘list’ of well-known New Zealand Rugby Union players anxious to make terms with English clubs.- If the immigration is not checked ■ soon we shall have little room for English players in English teams. And what thenl”

Colin Gilray, tho New Zealand Rhodes scholar, is a certainty for his Oxford “blue” this year in the Rugby football match against Cambridge. - He is playing better than ever. Lancelot B. Todd, of Auckland, member of the professional “AH Blacks,” and afterwards a shining light in Wigan's Northern Union team, returned to Wigan a few days ago after a brief visit to his home in New Zealand, and was accorded an. enthusiastic welcome by upwards of 3000 people. This will give you an idea of the popularity of a successful footballer in the North of England.

In an interview on his return to the North, Lancelot Todd'showed himfeelf particularly, optimistic regarding the future of the Northern Union game in New Zealand, although six short months ago he was doubtful if satisfactory progress against what lie then regarded as tho formidable opposition of the New Zealand Rugby Union could be made. Now he believes that the end is nearly in sight as regards the parent authority, who already are playing a. changed game, and who on the eve of his , departure held a meeting to consider the seriousness of the situation. Todd supports his case with facts'

land figures. Many leagues have been established; and others are in. process of formation. As regards blubs, Todd tells of first-grade teams coming over, in their entirety, the (North Shore and Newton blubs leaving only odd players for the old game. Many of the prominent Pousonby, Grafton, and City club players—all first-grade exponents—have joined the League clubs, and Toddl declares that for next season, as many, if not more, first-grade dubs will be playing- the Northern Union game. Todd gives high praise - to officials and leading players, and the game is being played on practically amateur •lines, he ®ays, the men. only receiving pay for loss of time in' away matches. The whole enthusiasm, and this eastends even to tho dubs mho have remained loyal to the Ruriby Union, ia for the game itself, and, as showing the good spirit which prevails, Todd tells of the Auckland . League team visiting Taranaki and voting their “pay” to the funds of the horn* JLeagub.