FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 888, 14 March 1907, Page 13

FOOTBALL.

The following programme has been arranged by the N.S.W.R.U. for the tour of the New Zealanders in Australia: — July 13 and 20—New Zealand v. New South Wales, at Sydney. July 27 —New Zealand v. Australia, at Sydney. August 3 and 10. —New Zealand v. Queensland at Brisbane. August 17. —New Zealand v. Australia, at Brisbane. August 24. —New Zealand v. Australia, at Sydney. »> * c * The Council of the New South Wales Rugby Union has decided to invite the Combined American Universities to send a team to Sydney. ♦ * * * There is some prospect of the visit of a South African team to this colony. At least the Springboks are willing to come, and their visit would give rise to immense enthusiasm. Whether the N.Z.R.U. will rise to the occasion remains to be seen. * * * * The matches between this colony’s representatives and New South Wales will take place on July 13 and 20.

The University of California contemplates sending its Rugby team for a tour of New Zealand and Australia. The team would consist of at least 20 players, and it is proposed to arrive in. Auckland on June 10, leaving for Sydney on July 22, and commencing the return journey to America on August 5. The team would be prepared to play matches in the chief centres in this colony, the principal match of the tour, if possible, to be played in Auckland just prior to the date of departure for Sydney. The expenses of a trip such as is proposed being heavy, Messrs. Merritt and Tuller, of the University in question, are anxious to obtain all possible infor-

mation as to the financial prospects. If they receive an encouraging reply from Mr. Garrard, hon. sec. of the C.R.U., the tour may be looked on as certain to eventuate. Every member of the team, it is stated, would be a strict amateur, and the. tour would be undertaken with the sanction of the American Athletic Union. This from the Natal “Witness” gives particulars of the return home of the victorious South Africans: —- “Kimberley, February 1. Despite the fact that the train conveying the local Springboks was over an hour late, thousands of people assembled at Beaconsfield and Kimberley Stations to give them a welcome home. Mr. Tromp, the acting-Mayor, spoke at the former place. On their arrival at Kimberley, wildly enthusiastic scenes occurred, Marsburg being carried shoulder-high to the carriage in waiting. A procession was formed to the Town Hall, where Mr. Sagar, the Mayor, before a packed audience, voiced the town’s appreciation of the manner in which the local men had played the game. On Wednesday the Mayoi’ gives an ‘At Home’ in their honour.”