NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 952, 4 June 1908, Page 10

NOTES.

In playing in the Shore-City match on Saturday Estall, the City threequarter, got badly kicked on the arm, with the result that he will be unable to play for a couple of weeks.

It is interesting to note that in the New Zealand team selected to play against the Britishers on Saturday, only three players who took part in the last New Zealand-Britain match are included, namely, Wallace, Stead and Seeling.

Accidents —most of them fortunately minor—were frequent during the Brit-ain-Wellington match, and play was stopped at almost regular intervals to permit the knocked-out to recuperate. Both sides suffered, but the Englishmen the more seriously. “ We shall have a team of crocks before the tour has commenced if this goes on,” growled Mr. Harnett, the manager, when Jackett was knocked out. His anxiety was not allayed by the future developments of the game.

The Wellington public did not have an opportunity of witnessing the capabilities, or incapabilities, of Jackett as a fullback (says a writer in the “ New Zealand Times.”) The kick he received on the face early in the contest rendered him hors de combat for the greater part of the game. The accident gave J. C. M. Dyke, the reserve fullback, a chance of showing his ability in the position. Prior to the accident he was playing forward, but took up the position of fullback on Jackett retiring. He is a much better fielder than Jackett, but both of them kick splendidly, using the line to advantage.

The Maori facility for nick-names was in evidence at Masterton during the Britain-Wairarapa match. After seeing Jackett’s fine performance, the Maoris with one accord christened him “Te Tuna” (the eel) as a compliment to his powers of slipping through his opponents.

It is not generally known that the Inter-island match this season is to be played at Wellington on Wednesday, June 24. This is in view of the test match to be played against the AngloWelsh team at Wellington on Saturday, June 27. The leading players from all over New Zealand will be assembled in Wellington for the North Island v. South Island contest, when the team to represent New Zealand In the test match will be selected.

Writing of the Wellington-Britain match, a well-known football authority makes the following complimentary reference to the New Zealand halfback: —Roberts is a “ stopper.” At this phase of Rugby he is par excellence, and sets an example to younger aspirants, which, if followed, would probably endanger their lives. The way he fearlessly dived for the ball in Wednesday’s match when the British forwards were charging at top was surprising. He got knocked out once when several Britishers were precipitated over him, but he was soon up and smiling.

It is very seldom that one sees the forwards place themselves for a lineout right in the centre of the field, but that is what the Englishmen did in the match against Wellington. Laxon, the Wellington winger, always threw the ball in from touch with all his might, and it travelled far out to the waiting forwards. Hardham. on the other hand, simply threw the ball a few feet, right into a bunch of black men. The English way was undoubtedly preferable from the spectators’ point of view, and kept the game much more open and interesting than it would otherwise have been.

W. Mackrell, the “ All Black” professional forward, arrived in Auckland from the South on Sunday. Mackrell has put on a couple of stone weight since he was last seen ; n Auckland, and looks every inch a solid stamp of player.

Walsh, the crack City forward, received severe injuries in the match against North Shore on Saturday, but after a short snell continued niaying on.

The services of Mr. T. W. Leslie, custodian of the Wellington Town Hall and an ex-champion walker of New Zealand, have been secured as travelling trainer of the British team.

The “ New Zealand Times” makes the following interesting comment: — In its critique of the Masterton match, the “ N.Z. Times” returned Harding and Co. as better stuff than BedellSivright’s team, and this conclusion was not nullified by proceedings in the Britain-Wellington match. If any of the provincial teams elect to hold them cheap they will be speedily undeceived, but it seems fairly evident that the visitors cannot stand up to a representative New Zealand combination. Whatever happens, they are sure to make friends everywhere, for a cleaner, whiter lot of sports could scarcely be conceived. And so the curtain may be allowed to fall on a great match and an £1125 gate. * * * a

The Wanganui Rugby Union is making arrangements to show the British footballers the attractions of the Wanganui River during their stay there. The team will be taken for a two days’ trip up the river to Pipiriki, and then on to the upper reaches.

The Ponsonby team will make their first appearance in Sydney in the early match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 25, prior to the concluding New South Wales v. Queensland fixture. They will play again on the Wednesday, and the third and last match on August 1, the date of the play-off for the Sydney Premiership between the four best first grade clubs.

Word has been received from England that it is legal for a player to throw the ball in from touch at right angles, catch it himself, and play on. It has been ruled in this country that tlrs is not legal. Henceforth the new (or rather the old) ruling will be reverted to. It has the merit of not only legal correctness, but of adding to the pleasure and attractiveness of the game. However, the player may not bounce the ball in and play on. This seems contradictory, but no doubt it is due to the fact that the bouncer is generally still in touch when he catches the ball.

There are two threequarters named “J. P. Jones” in the British team. In order to avoid confusion, the Welsh International and Monmouthshire player is known as “Ponty,” whilst the man from Kent and Guy’s Hospital is known as “Tuan.”

The Auckland forwards chosen to play in the test match at Dunedin on Saturday left the Manukau on Monday.

It is generally held in Dunedin that the charge of 5s the N.Z. Union is making for seats at next Saturday’s match is excessive. At a meeting of the Otago Rugby Football Union the matter came up for consideration, and the following motion was moved by Mr. G. McLaren and seconded by Mr. W. J. Wilson, “That the New Zealand Rugby Union be informed that the feeling of both the committee and public is so strong that unless the union reduces the ground entrance charge this committee will consider the advisableness of declining to take control of the match.” The motion was carried unanimously. , ■

The Maori footballers will play the Northern Union game during their tour in New South Wales. After witnessing a couple of matches, and themselves practising the new Rugby, the team took a vote, which favoured the new, in place of the old, Rugby. In any case they would have had to play it as the League allows no other.

In the first test matches on Saturday next the New Zealand team has been re-arranged owing to the inability of Mynott and Dean to play. Coleman, of Taranaki, goes full back, Wallace wing three-quarter, and Cameron centre-threequarter.