FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 72, 3 November 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

(By "Pakeha.")

The South African Rugby footballers now touringr Great Britain have been dubbed the "Springboks." This is because a distinctive badge of a springbok m action is worked m gold on the dark green jersey, the adopted colors of the touring combination. A private letter received by last week's . mail from Sydney intimates that the visit of an Australian rugby team to the Old Country is mooted for 1907. The kangarooites are confident of making a great stand against the Maorilanders when the latter cross their path next season.

A Yorkshire back of note was expected to leave for the colony by the Corinthic, due, here on December 4th. The Metropolitan Rugby Union, on the proposal of Mr A, W. Green, has decided to recommend to the New South Wales Union that an Australian team be sent to Great Britain, leaving Australia, September, 1907. It is understood that the Mepropolitan. Union, which has a. credit balance of about. £3000, is prepared to financially assist. As Great Britain has had two invasions from Colonial teams m. 19Q5 and 1906, possibly s, third m 1907 'may be considered .inopportune (says a Sydney paper), though, if ,,. Australia can band topje.ther a powerful team a visit at the time suggested should tend to maintain 1 or add to the interest already aroused r by the New Zealand and South Africans m Rugger.

The tour of the South Africans so far has been wonderfully successful. Up to ' Saturday they had played ten matches and won the lot, scoring 240", points to 10 acainst. They meet. Scotland on the 17th instant, Ireland (24th instV Wales (December Ist), England (December Bth).

Footballers throughout the colony will deeply regret to learn that Mr James Henderson, sen., father of the well-known Rugby ' Unionist. Mr J. R. Henderson, died on Tuesday week after an illness of about 12 months, at his residence, North Sydney. Mr Henderson, who was 66 years of ac:c. was a fffeat lover of amateur ath>tics, "takinfc a deep" interest m yachtinsr and .Rugby footba.ll m particular He was; psne^iaHv wuicertied m the fortunes of the old Pirates 1 Olub. of which he wns * v = • •• -

font, a. position bf al«n bpld m the North Sydney nistriot Oiub.