ANOTHER "ALL BLACK" TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13894, 4 May 1907, Page 10

ANOTHER "ALL BLACK" TOUR.

SURPRISE IN FOOTBALL CIRCLES.

(Fsou Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, March 22.

An announcement of tho possibility of a second All Blacks'■ team coming to England for tho 1907-8 6eason, to play games with clubs and representatives of tho Northern Union under their own rules, had aroused the. keenest interest in Rugby circles all over England, and especially in Lancashire and the north. Coming at a timo when matters are not, on tho surface, looking quite so gay as tlioy did a year or su ago the importance ami the possible bearing of tho projcctcd tour on the future of the gamo must not be overlooked. As tho whole thing seems to havo been kept secret, I am sending you the fullest information which lias leaked out bore. A loading Manchester journal says that the matter arises out of communications received this week by tho New Zealand mail by tho secretaries of the whole of tho clubs in tho Northern Union—a sort of feeler which is to prcparo tho way for tho proposed visit. Tho letter is of a confidential nature, and matters «ro mentioned in it which the recipients arc asked should not, in view of tho position of affairs " down under," be . made public. However, a Yorkshire Northern Union correspondent says ho has been able to see somo portions of the letter, which, lie understands, comes from a gentleman at Wellington, who is acting in tho capacity of secretary and promoter of tho syndicate which is to run tho team. This gentleman states that their objcct is to send a representative team next season (1907-8) and play clubs or representative teams in ' tho Northern Rugby Union, and they aro desirous of obtaining opinions as to tho prospects of an " All lilack" professional tour.

"You must admit," lie goes on, "that if a team woro to visit and play, you, and be capable of repeating the performance put up by tho original ' All-Blacks,' intense excitement would bo aroused in Northern Union circles. . Your game would have a revival, as t.lio amateur g&mo did. Its supporters would then have the opportunity of witnessing a series of contests which thoy wanted the 1905 New Zealand team to take part in, but which was denied them. Of course, the uniform of our team will be all black, and thev will naturally bo called ' All-Blacks,' so that, they will reap the benefits of the cheap advertisement that their predecessors gave." Tho letter, then, I am informed, goes on to say that a representative team would go to Australia, and that tho players in view would bo sounded 06 to taking tho tour Home. "The team will include," proceeds tho letter, " men whom you have already seen playing if you witnessed somfe of tho "Ail-Blacks" British games in 1905; others who would havo been in the 1905 team but for che fact "that they were not of tho 'stand-up collar' variety of player; and somo who havo since made their reputations. Taken all round, the team that wo have in view will in somo respects bo a hotter combination than the original 'AllBlacks' at your pirnc. It is recognised in tho colonies that tho rccent amendments in your rules havo tended to mako the lhigby game more open and attractive; therefore, wo intend to soleet a team that will be specially adapted to play a stylo that wo think will ho more successful against, you. Pace and dexterity, or skill, will in some instances he. preferred to weight. If we meet with marked success next season, and manage to have something in hand after paying exponscs and dividends, it will bo devoted to bringing teams to England in after years. Again, our players will be the eveam' of New Zealand footballers; somo of thorn may desire to remain in England, and play in your ranks. "It is impossible that our team will lend to a team representative of N.U. clubs coming out with us in their off searcn and playing a series of return matches in New Zealand and" Australia. I can guarantco that if thev did they would have the tour of their lives, and at the same tune pay their wav. Tho gato when the New Zealand and British teams met here in 1904 was about £3000, and if we played exhibition matches in Australia it is probablo that an attendance of 40,000 could Ik? drawn. The nudacitv of the scheme and the way it would l» talked of—it would be the talk o the colonies for, the time being would prove an immense draw, and there would be absolutely 110 necessity to advertise the games locally. Tho team, provided tho schemo is launched, is expgeted to leave Wellington in - Julv. awl to land in England about \u«ust 18. Clubs arc asked what guaranteo thev would give of gates, and the possibility of support if fixtures were arranged. Tho approximate outlay will uc about £3000. Though great reticence is observed, there is a strong feeling in tho north in favour of the proposal, and it has been intimated that it is not improbable that at an early dato sensational news would be wired from New Zealand directly bearing upon the laet team sent to England. It was pointed out, that the only vital difference in the rules of the two codes was with regard to tho half backs, and the opinion was nut forward that a meeting of the N.U. clubs should at oncc be convened, with Uk» object of arriving at a mutual arrancoment on Ibis point.