"DALLY" MESSENGER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 184, 29 April 1908, Page 9

"DALLY" MESSENGER.

NORTHERN THE BETTER OAME. .- i "Dally" Jlosscnftor, of professional Rugby fame, who - returned to Sydney recently, lias been interviewed there; r , " Wo had a great time, and'they treated hs very well," lis. said, referring to his English trip. "The Noitliern Uliibn moil .aro ft good sot of players) trained to the day. The Secretaries or hiahiit*crs of the-different blubs aro very strict, esp'eciillly with regard to liquor. The players' aro not allowed to drink, atid if they arc found doing' so they are dropned for a fortnight." How do tbey compare with the New Zeala'nders for physique? "On tile whole,.l consider the.New Zea-' landers better-built men: I doh't consider the Northern Union rules; with only thirteen men a-side, accounted, for any of tho defeats, as the New Zeaiaiidei's had trained a lot under these-, conditibfts before leaving for Etialahd.. The -• thirteen . ter.tn always means.hard playing from start to finishs YoU never, knbw tho result until the whistle blows. : A team might be 14, poirits allbhd of you,in tho first half, and 14, points behind you in the second. Ybii'vo £bt to filfcy. fcsrc!- until the last moment; and in scrum formation ive played. 4-2 instead of the old, style of 3-2-3. •••!• ttuftk'tfiis'' ifow. gilttd 'tender orn Union rules, -With, thirteen tribn a-side, is' the better game; It's hotter from a' player's point of view, and it's a better game for tho onlookers.'. It's a'splendid game, to watch—always fast—and a msli has. to gbt. into" tip-top ' nick.' to play it.' . I. don't' know how they are Shaping, (it it here'..' It takes some getting into. I usually pliyed live-eighth , at' the beginning of the tour, but:wp.s wino: three-quarter mbst of. tho time; : . I plaved full-back in one match iri Wales:" 'Questioned regarding tho probable effects of the Rugby League upon . tho football' bf tho State;,and the;possibility of an ultimate settlement .of tho . differences oxistiris between the Rilgby Union and the "new League, Messenger repliod:— . . " All I can say is that I afn goiiig to stick to the League. I kiiow nothing of the state of affairs, and so cannot say anything." On bemrf asked if lie had heard tlio ruihoiir 'to the" effect that ho had received' pdyihent from tho amateur body ill connection.with his tnn to Queensland last, -year, Messenger safd "It's all rot for peoplo to sfty that,l"received .money in Queensland.- I' never received moiioj' for playing then, nor have I ■yet done.So. .1 bolieve.l Am classed as & professional--though, .as I oiifco trifed io join the 'ainatout; swimmers, and tf as kept' out owing to tho. fact, that I had won A face in a canoe.'' ■