An Irish Rugby Captain.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 25, 18 December 1912, Page 7

An Irish Rugby Captain.

PARKES—TENNIS CHAMPION. THE “ALL BLACK” VETO. When J. O. Parke goeu into _tho battle of sport he does so as a twohanded fighter, like Osman Pasha at Plevna, who carried a revolver in one hand and a sword in the other. In fine, Parke, the brilliant Irish tennis player, who has been mainly instrumental in taking the Davis Cup from Australia, is also a brilliant international Rugby football player. He was busy with the golf sticks on the Double Bay links when a reporter

button-holed him laet week, and emiled when he heard the word “Rugby." Piobably he has had too mu.-h tennis lately. “You were captain of the Irieh international Rugby team for three years?" "Yes," replied Mr. Parke: "but I don't really know much about the Irish team the year," he added. “Yon saw where the Springboks beat Ireland by 38 points to nil?" “Y’e<=. I did: but. you know, the Springboks are pretty good. Still, Ireland could not have been so bad when they beat Scotland and Wales lac; year, and only went down to England when playing that same dashing Irish game by which they are so well known. In fact. I left England"—smack* and the golf bail flew over the green, and as he watched it land, added: “There was no football at all this year." "Do you think the Irish team has deteriorated in any way’" was the next question. “Can’t say." he replied, as he strode in the direction of the ball. “Though." he eaid, after a pause, "at this time of the year they are never in training. Most of the players are in business, and they never settle down to training properly until after Christmas. If Lyde was not playing with Ireland in that match against the Springboks, it would make a big difference, as he k* the finest back player Ireland has had for a long time." “Personally, have you idea as to why Ireland joins with Scotland in keeping Australian aixl New Zealand teams cut ?" “W ell, Ireland play ed the last *AII- - team. AVe are only too pleased." he proceeded, “to welcome anv team, but if there is a smattering of professionalism about them Ireland will hare nothing to say to them. The last team that came over to England turned professional : they played the Northern game. Mr. Parke has not been correctly informed. The “All-Biasks" did turn professional. Onlv six ibcihbers, one of them an unimportant player, afterwards played th* Northern I nion game. Two of them did not join the League ranks until years after th? “All-Black" tour.—“ Sporting" Editor.) “I am sure Mr. Huxton. the secretary of the Irish Rugby Union, is only tov pleased to welcome any team that comes over with a first-class amateur statue, ano t • tea.il other countries the game." ! - 1 you noticed that- the South African team was invited to Eng laud out of its turn—that it should have Iwen the ’All-Blacks” turn—a fie: which was commented on by an English jajs-r a.s a 'regrettable affront’’" ” "Certainly no affront waa intended to the * All-Blacks,’" replied Mr. Parke, “la y were very popular in England. It i- a very ba.l feature. though. with regard to the visit of any team, if anv one of th ru joins the Northern game. I he N. rt.iern game is held in bad repute w:t; t t*-. and to a certain extent it has ruined football." “I suppo-e your Rugby training has helped you with your tennis?" its, it has." "Would you tennis than Rugby ?" -* r - Parke smiled before he replied. “I don't know, really." he said, "which I would prefer. Both are first-ela~s gaiu««. They are played under different conditions, aud don't compare with each other, one being a summer and the other a winter pastime." “AA hat about golf?” Not the worst game." he r-idied as tae gol: ball .}„• i ewee niore o \ e - t ; le green. "I think." h- added, reflectively. “I will -pend most of my time out here on the links." Have you retired absolutely from Rugby?” "I have not played since I«ki9. and 1 do not intend to play again." “Have you played against ary of the (•■lonial teams?” “Only against the 'All Blacks'—that was in Itkft—when we lout by three goals to nil. if I rentember corrretlv.” "''till take an interest in Rugby?" queried the reporter. • h. yes; f aee all the international games. that are played. My special reason for giving up the game was that I had to go dovn to the country to attend to my business. A. far a- the invitation of a team is concerned.” he concluded, “there was no discussion, to my knowledge, as to who should be asked. It Simply happened. I think, that the Springboks were invited." With thia part.ng shot, Mr. Parke turned to his golf aga.a.