FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 257, 3 November 1906, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

"Quite a classic"' is the general verdict of the football,critics upon Messrs IX Gallaher and W. J. Stead's new book. "The Complete Rugby Footballer." The work of the two "All Blacks" has received very flattering notice in the newspapers, and the Harmsworlh firm have arranged with Messrs Methuen, the publishers, for the publication of the book iv serial form in the Saturday football edition of the London "Evening News.' In this way Hie book will be read by a. million or two of people, ami its sphere of usefulness enormously enlarged. The "Daily Mail," in a column review of the work, pays a tribute to ihe admirable restraint of its style. 'Considering," it says, "'the wonderful success that attended the "All Blacks,' who were only beaten in one match out of thirty-two, and managed to put together an ag«resate of nearly a thousand points, one might almost expect such a work to be dictatorial and bombastic. Such, however, is not in the least the from cover to cover it is written in just that modest hut thoroughly outspoken way that those who knew thrin well would associate with Gallaher and S; cad. i ie captain and vice-captain respectively of these triumpliani victors. J'lie siecount of the tour in England —aivi especially of those matches in which they gained their greatest successes —is given as a secondary consideration, and oivnpies only one chapter of a vvoik ihj.t nivps the reader the idea- that it has been written with the sole object oi improving the. game in the Motherland. Three chapters on tactics,' , adds the "Mail." "are- masterly, and some of the secrets of 'bluffing.' as here explained, will prove a perfect revelation to many players of the older generation."' The Sydney Metropolitan Union, on the proposal of Mr A. \V. Green, has decided to recommend to the Xew South Wales Union that an Australian tram be sent to (ireat Britain, leaving Australia in September, 1907. It is understood that The Metropolitan Union, which has a, credit balance of about £3000, is prepared to financially assist. As Great Britain has had two invasions from colonial teams in 190.5 and 1906, possibly a third in 1907 may be coruidcred inopportune, says Cynic in the "Referee." though if Australia can band together n powprfnl te.-iiu a visit at the i .mc suggested should tend to maintain or add to the intei st already aroused by he New Z.alanders and South Africans in Rugger. Mr. C. V. Eobertson (secretary Old Boys' Ilugby Union) has just received from England a splendid banner, kindly presented to the union by Mr. A. ft. Caughey. Grammar School old boys won the championship in 1905. and Sacra Heart old boys last season. Old boys may -ep the banner at the secretary's office, Hemingway, Robertson and Pale thorpe, Endean's Buildings. Mr K. Austin, who has been a member of the Committee of Management of the Otago Rugby Union this year, has tendered his resignation, and is coming to Auckland.