PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13635, 14 April 1908, Page 5

PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.

SPEECH BY "BUMPER" WRIGHT; ' By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. (Received April 14, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 14. The Professional Rugby League tendered the New Zealand professional footballers a reception at the Town Hall. Wright, the captain of the team, in replying for the visitors, said they had learned many lessons on the tour. One was that the old amateur Rugby game was not the only game in the world. He was sure the public would flock to see the new League game. He did not think there was a player in England who could kick goals as Messenger could. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union will be held at Wellington on May 14th. The council of the New South Wales Rugby Union has arranged the follow 1 ' ing matches against the British footballers: — August Bth, New South Wales, at Newcastle; August loth, New South Wales, at Sydney; August 19th, Western Union, at Bathurst ; 'August 22nd, Metropolitan Union, at Sydney. Ponsonby propose to visit New South Wales after the visit of the British team to Auckland. Wrigley, of the "All Golds," was, it is said, offered £400 and £2 10s per week to play for the Huddersfield Club. He was also offered £20 to play in one match for Rochdale. He refused both offers. If there is to be any professional football in Auckland this season the promoters are working very quietly (says the Star), as no whisper can be heard from any quarter of their doings. Probably when the professional- team returns more will be heard, but at present it is pretty safe to say that none of the prominent local players "will be found in their ranks. Word from the South states that Casey and McDonald, two of the All Black forwards, intend donning the jersey again this season. Hamilton Wilson is a resident of Manaia now and is said to be likely to play for Waimate this season. Edwin Bourke, however, has sworn off.