FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9170, 19 August 1908, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE MAORI TEAM. BY TSIiEOBAPrI —PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received August 18, 9.10 a.m. SYDNEY, August 18. The Rugby League decided not to sanction its players participating in another benefit match for the Maori team to-morrow, the reason given for the refusal being that after, they were prepared to depart for New Zealand on Wednesday last they entered into negotiations to play matches in Melbourne and give hakas during the visit of the United States fleet.

MAORI MANAGERS' STATEMENT. Received August 18, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, August 18. The Maoris' managers claim that everything done was above board, and that they were justified in trying to raise funds after the failure of the last benefit match. UNIVERSAL AUSTRALIAN GAME. Received MELBOURNE, August 18. An Inter-State conference of representatives of football organisations discussed the question of es • tablishing a universal Australian game.

In reply to a question, one delegate declared that there was no prospect whatever of Ru<?by giving way in regard to off side. Another delegate replied: "That settles it!"

Mr M'Keon, New Zealand, thought a game could bo evolved which would be the Australian game perfected. He added that the Northern Union game as played by the "All Blacks" had come to stay in New Zealand. No decision was reached. BY TKIjEG R Al'K —I'IS ESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, Aucust 18. The following team has been selected to represent Auckland in the football match against Wellington next Saturday under the Northern Union rules Full-back, Dufty; three-quarters, Rowe, W. Wynvard, Redwood; five-eighths, W. Tyler, S. Riley; half-back, R. Wynyard; forwards, Mackrell, Dunning, Trewarthen, McDonald, Gladding and Hooper. Of the thirteen players chosen seven toured the North of England. One, S. Riley, went across and met the team in Australia, playing several games there. McDonald, Hooper and Dufty arc Auckland amateur representatives, while Redwood and Gli dding are senior players. The learn is in active training.

Southland supporters of the Northern Union game have received a notification from Wellington that a team from there will probably visit Invereargill at the same time as another team goes to Auckland. They consider tli?y have 150 players to draw from. This visit probably means the postponement of the Southland tour Nor h.