THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 905, 11 July 1907, Page 12

THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR.

SELECTION OF THE TEAM. 54 PLAYERS OFFER TO PARTICIPATE. THE FIRST MATCH. Many extraordinary rumours have been going the rounds anent the professional team and its personnel, but, as in the case of the initial steps taken towards its formation, the “ Review” claims to be the only paper able to publish authentic information relative to the tour and the members of the professional team. Until the Australian tour nears its completion we cannot divulge the names of those selected for the trip Home, nor will the team’s personnel be made known by anyone else until the allotted time arrives. SELECTION OF THE TEAM. The team for the English tour was selected the end of last week in Wellington. There were four selectors — one each from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Between 50 and 60 names came up for consideration, and 54 signed agreements were received from players willing to participate in the tour. The team took a considerable time to pick, and amongst others the claims of four “ All Blacks” were considered, and ultimately passed over. One of the principal qualifications dwelt upon was the general excellence of character of the players willing to go, and a couple of New Zealand’s best-known footballers were omitted from the final selection for this reason. Ultimately 25 of the finest players in the colony were selected. Auckland will be more strongly represented than any other centre, nine men being included from the Northern city. GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. The New Zealand Rugby Union may endeavour to circumvent the crisis by delaying the present team in Australia for an extra week, in the hope of putting a stopper on the departure of the members of the professional team at present playing with the New Zealand rep. team on tour. This, however, will not have any serious effect on the professionals, as they will leave Sydney for London direct immediately the present Australian tour is completed. The meeting last week in Wellington drew up a drastic Set of rules to ensure the thorough well-behaviour of the team when at Home. THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. ' The contention that the tour will not be a financial success is. a .mere ■bogeyj Besides the £3OOO deposited to the ■ account. ;in £l3OO will be subscribed by membets of the- team, ‘ each man ' - putting h in

£5O. In one ,or two cases that amount—which is looked upon as a guarantee—was not forthcoming, but others have placed double that sum to their credit, and the selection committee which met in Wellington last week had close on the full amount (£1300) at their disposal. The 25 members of the team share and share alike in the profits, and take 70 per cent, of the proceeds of every match. A management committee will be appointed by the players to look after all the inner workings. It is evident that when a single club in the Northern Union was able to average £750 per match in gate money for its last 10 matches, there is not much need for anxiety on the part of the professionals as to the monetary success of their venture. THE FIRST MATCH. The team leaves next month, immediately after the completion of the Australian tour.. The first match will be played on October 6th, and though the programme of matches has not yet been received, 27 matches will be played. The team will be known as the New Zealand Football Team.

NEXT SATURDAY’S MATCH. AUCKLAND V. BULLER. THE TWO TEAMS. The first rep. match of the season eventuates on Saturday next at Epsom, when the Buller Union’s representatives will endeavour to wrest from Auckland the possession of the Ranfurly Shield, which the latter union has held for the last two seasons. -

The Buller team arrived unexpectedly last Monday; afternoon by

the s.s. Manapouri. By a lucky chance the_ steamer. happened to be loading coal at Westport prior to leaving for Auckland direct, and the Buller team was thus enabled to come right on to Auckland without doing the arduous semi-overland route, so curtailing the journey by a couple of days. The teams are as follows: — Buller: Auckland: Fullback: Fullback: R. Hall. Newdick. Three-quarters: Three-quarters: F. Hornsby Murray McPike Smith Colvin Dillimore Five-eighth: Five-eighths: McNally R- Magee Half: R. Wynyard. Brown Half:! Forwards: Kiernan. Wood (wing) 1 Forwards: Gibbs (wing) - W. Tyler (wing) Richards ■ ? G. Tyler Doncliffe ’ Dunning Ferguson Hayward Hogg ■ - i' r ’ Maguire Marshall - i * . : ; Trevarthen King ? ■ ■ -; HallEliott' 1 k- /; . McDonald The Buller ‘ emergeftpiej’s ate McNaulty, McElwee and Fostdi^' Thp?

team is managed by Mr. Bright, and captained by Mr. McNaulty. The Buller team look rather a light crowd, but their forwards average ■l2st 121 b, and their backs list 61b. They consider their front rank division a pretty solid lot, and base their chief hopes for glory in the work of their forwards. These are mostly well-built, agile men, used to a strenuous life, the majority of them being coal miners. The team has not participated in any rep. matches this season, but last year put up a very fair record, winning the Molloy Cup from Westland, and being runners-up for the Seddon Shield, which was won by Marlborough with the narrow majority of three points. The visiting team is putting in solid training each morning at Epsom, and with a week in which to recover from the effects of the trip, should be in very fair form for Saturday’s match. The Auckland team is a fairly strong .combination, though the absence of Gillett, Cunningham, Francis, Nicholson and Seeling has naturally weakened it considerably. Hayward, however, if in good form, should prove an acqu" sition, for the Thames forward is a great grafter. Buller has not seen much up-to-date football. That is to say, the team has not done much touring, and so, unlike the other provincial teams, lack the knowledge which comes from frequent study of different methods of play. It is not considered Ikely that A.uckland is in - serious danger of losing the shield; but it is hoped that

Saturday’s contest will provide a good willing game.

An excellent picture of the Buller team leaving the Imperial Hotel for a morning’s practice at Epsom is reproduced elsewhere in this issue.

NAPIER NEWS.

My Napier correspondent telegraphs:— The game between Napier and Waipawa resulted in a win for the former by nine points to three. Tries were scored by Scullen, Mullaney and Natusch for the winning team, while Symes kicked a penalty goal for the losers. The game did not create much interest, Napier having all the best of it. Mr. .Fletcher refereed. The only cup match played on Saturday was, Pakipaki v. Rovers. The former won by 12 to nil. During the play two of the Rovers were ordered off the field for rough play. Mr. Pegler discharged the dutiees of referee. ’ The positions of the clubs in the senior championship are as follows: —Rovers and Pakipaki 10 points each; Scinde 9, Ahuriri 7, Havelock 3, City 3, Te Aute 2. The- following will represent Hawke’s Bay in their match against Horowhenua: —Scott, McKay, Evans, Bailey, Caldwell, Manning, Thow Stevens, Payne, Walshe, Tomlin, Lewijs, Baker, Mclntyre and Williams. Emergencies; ’ Ellingham, Scullin, Hay, Heta and Symes.

GOLDFIELDS GOSSIP. My Goldfields correspondent writes: — The first rep. match between, the Goldfields and Thames was played at Waihi on Saturday last. The weather proved favourable, and, as a good, even game was anticipated, a considerable number of spectators turned out, the special train from Thames bringing over 500. The game was interesting from the start. Goldfields kicking off, the Thames forwards soon got to work, and, picking up, kicked high. Smart following up brought Autridge within an ace of scoring, Darby just saving by forcing. Dufty took the kick out, the bail going out at the Thames 25. From the throw-in Dengate secured, the Thames forwards taking it to halfway. From a scrum F. Hayward sent the ball out at half-way. From the throw-in the Goldfields forwards sent the 'ball to the backs, who opened up a nice passing rush, Foster getting well down the field before being grassed. From the throw-in the Goldfields forwards got away again, and S. Darby centring, the home pack followed up well and just missed scoring, the Thames men getting there in time to force.

Snowling kicked off, and Rukutaia returned to the Thames 25. From the throw-in Thames marked, and the ball was sent out at half-way. A scrum followed the throw-in, the ball coming out to the Goldfields half. Thames being penalised for offside play, Dufty took the kick, Hayward returning to Darby, who was collared on the half-way line by Snowling. Shortly after Thames were penalised and Dufty had a shot at goal, but failed. The Thames forwards following up a long kick began to press, but Dufty relieved with a powerful kick. Loose play followed. Goldfields getting a mark, Dufty had a drop-kick at goal, but was unsuccessful. The visiting forwards got well beyond mid-field. Dufty failing to take the ball, Thames looked like scoring, but Clarke fell a yard or two short. From the scrum the “Goldfields got round the ball, a force resulting, the spell thus closing without a score.

The second spell had only just commenced when Dufty landed a beautiful goal from a free kick: Goldfields, 3; Thames, nil. From the kick-off Thames livened up, and the forwards rushed the ball up the field. The ball crossing the line Clark fell on it . and scored a try for Thames. Newdick’s kick was unsuccessful. Thames continued the attack, and were soon down on the Goldfields line again. Goldfields clearing the line the ball went out between their .2 5 and the half-way mark. Rukutaia getting possession from the throw-in, passed to McDonald, who sent it on to Skellern, who transferred to Darby, the latter player, with a brilliant run from nearly half-way, scoring at the corner. Dufty’s attempt, though good, proved unsuccessful, the ball striking the post: Goldfields, 6; Thames, 3. Thames again got to work, and carried the ball to Goldfields 25, where Smith marked. H. Hayward had an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Goldfields kicking off, sent the ball out at half-way. The Thames forwards again attacked, and, taking the ball over the line, Moran scored a welldeserved try. No goal resulted. Shortly after time was called, the score being; Thames, 6; Goldfields, 6. Mr. P. Garvey gave every satisfaction as referee.

The teams were very evenly matched, but the Thames forwards showed more combination than the local men. The Goldfields backs were a trifle superior to those of the visiting team. Amongst the Thames forwards H. Hayward, Autridge, Clark and F. Hayward played hard games, especially the first-named pair. Newdick, at full, and Snowling on the threequarter, shone out conspicuously. For the Goldfields the best of the forwards were Dare, Capill, Rukutaia and Young, while in the back division S. Darby and McDonald were responsible for some good work. W. Darby, at half, showed a tendency to hang to the ball, but otherwise his display was creditable.

The Goldfields hold a practice match on Saturday next with a view of giving the selector a better opportunity to pick the best team obtainable for the match against Auckland on the 20th Inst.

WELLINGTON CHATTER.

My Wellington correspondent writes:--

Chatting to H. W. Kelly, the Wellington selector of the New Zealand team, he positively assured me that George Smith was not excluded from that combination because of any supposed connection he had with the proposed professional team. Mr. Kelly assures me that Smith spoilt his chances of selection by not taking part in the inter-island match at Christchurch. Last year his form was not up to New Zealand standard, and that was all the selectors had to go on from personal observation.

It is true that Davy Gallaher argued that Smith was showing his old form this season, but the selectors, up to the time they made their selection, had the newspaper evidence before them that the City team were winning their matches by any number of points, and that therefore if Smith was only showing ordinary form he would shine in such games.

As these seem to be the arguments that weighed against Smith’s inclusion, I give them to you for what they are worth. Personally, I think an injustice has been done, for “ Smithy,” fit and well, is the best try-getter we have got at the present time in New Zealand.

Among the spectators at the match last Saturday was W. McKenzie, wellknown in his day as “ Off-side Mac.” He has of late years fallen partially out of touch with the game, his business pursuits keeping him busy in the Wairarapa. I have to ask you on his behalf to present his compliments to Bob Whiteside, and he will do the same for him some day if he gets the opportunity.

I said in one of my notes a few weeks back that Baskerville, under suspension by the New Zealand Un±on, intended making a departmental complaint about another officer in the Telegraph Department. I have been shown the correspondence that passed between the parties, in which Baskerville was challenged to lay the complaint he threatened, but so far nothing has been heard from him in that connection. By the way, I hear that Baskerville has received no less than fifty applications for inclusion in the professional team.

THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR.

OUTSIDE OPINIONS.

Mr. Dean, who recently arrived in New Zealand from England, is very enthusiastic about the capabilities of the Northern Union players. “ When the ‘ All Blacks’ went Home,” he said, “ the only defeat they suffered was at the hands of Wales, and yet the best Welsh players did not play against them at all, simply because they belonged to the Northern Union. The ‘ All Blacks’ would not have had such a successful record if they had met some of the Northern Union teams.” Mr. Dean thinks there are several teams in Yorkshire and Lancashire that could easily have defeated them. Therefore, if the cash team to be sent from New Zealand isn’t almost as strong a combination as the “ All Blacks” were, they had better stop here.

“ When the Northern Union first started,” said Mr. Sykes, a one-time secretary of one of the strongest professional clubs in England, to a New Zealand reporter, in reply to a query as to the origin of professional football in England, “ no man under its jurisdiction was allowed to accept payment. The Northern Union clubs, however, would not pay for the jerseys of the players, and pay travelling expenses. Gradually the cash element began to creep in, and at last the clhbs made no pretence at haying an amateur status. At present it is not a matter of the survival of the fittest with them, but the survival of the ri'hest. They buy the services of

the best footballers . that England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales can produpe? and do not stop at that. They even Import talent from outside if it good enough. In this connection some players are receiving almost incredible sums, in one instance the payment being as high as £lOOO per annum. Therefore, if a footballer, who is a top-notcher, happens to be a working man, there is a big inducement for him to join the ranks of the professionals. The natural sequence is that most of the very best players the United Kingdom can produce are playing under the Northern Union auspices.”

COUNTRY MATCHES.

In the cup matches under the Rotorua Rugby Union, Kahukura defeated City by 12 points to nil, while Waikite scored a win over Whakarewarewa by 11 points to nil. The Hamilton fifteen met the Waipa team at Te Awamutu and suffered , defeat, the Waipa men winning by 9 points to 6. The game was the first inter-union match of the season. A match played at Pukekohe between the local fifteen and a Tuakau team resulted in a win for the former by 5 points to 3.

North Shore 11. and City 11. played a drawn game (3 points each). This leaves the Shore juniors winners of the second grade competition. Parnell 11. defeated Newton 11. by 24 points to 3.

Ponsonby 11. defeated Grafton 11. by 17 points to nil.

Parnell IV. scored a win over Grafton IV. by 15 points to 3. City IV. won from Parnell IV. B by default. Newton IV. won from North Shore by default. Last Saturday brought the Auckland junior competitions to a close. The winning teams are as follows: —Second fifteens: North Shore. Third fifteens: North Shore. Fourth fifteens: Not finished yet; Ponsonby are leading by a draw. At Onehunga the annual North v. South match resulted in a drawn game, neither side scoring.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS OLD BOYS’ COMPETITION.

University defeated King’s by 3 points to nil. Sacred Heart scored a win over St. John’s by 3 points to nil.

THE AUSTRALIAN GAME.

Much interest was evinced on Saturday in the match between Eden and Austral Juniors, which was won by Eden with two points to the good, the scores being 18 points to 16. Fogarty, Jackson and Cronfield put up the best games fo rthe winners. The Eden team is now a win ahead for the championship.

JUNIOR MATCHES.