NOTES BY FULL BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2761, 13 February 1907, Page 61

NOTES BY FULL BACK.

When the mail left the South African footballers were in a rather bad way': Krige and Mare had been definitely ordered to play no more' on tho trip; A. Morkel, le Roud, Hirseh, de Melker, and Stegmantf were all suffering from " legs " ; Loubstar was incapacitated through overstrain; Joubert and Marsbury had "dicky" shoulders; Burmeister had patched ribs. S. Morkel, the second of the South? African footballers to be stricken with appendicitis, was operated upon at a pri■\ate hospital at Cardiff. The operation} was completely successful, but he will notf have recovered sufficiently to return with his comrades to South Africa.

It is perhaps as well that the proposed tour of a team from New South Wales should be postponed till 1908-9, for three visits from Greater Britain in successive seasons, though they have given a filip to " Rugger," for which the Rugby Union' should be very thankful, would have run. the risk of overdoing things (says an English writer). We shall thus get a winter, of what may be termed "home" football, which may properly be- spent in setting oun house in order and putting to practical use" some of the lessons learnt. The matter o£ a team for New Zealand is as yet merely, one of possibility. If the project is to become an accomplished fact it should be officially engineered by the Rugby Unions and the collection of a strong side must be a sine qua non. Mr "Jock" M'Gregor, the old New, •South Wules and Auckland footbalier, wha has been living for some few years in South Africa, has just completed foul 1 months' holiday in New Zealand and Sydj ney Mr M'Gregor speaks very highly o| the ability of /he South African backs, nio^t of whom hail from Capetown. He has never seen a finer collection of allround kickers. Excepting at Capetown and one or two other placos, Rugby is played on grassless grounds in South Africa, and Mr M'Gregor adds that a fall there is very, severe on the limbs and body. Asked how hq thought New Zealand and South African football compared, he said that the New Zealand syte:n of forward play would beatf South Africa; also thaf New Zealand would. beat them at half back.

IRELAND DEFEATS ENGLAND. LONDON, February 10. At the international Rugby contest Ire* Und (17 paints) beat England (9 points).

In 1906 Ireland boat England by 16 points to 6. England has now won 19, Ireland 11 and one game has been drawn.