PROFESSIONAL, RUGBY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 394, 26 March 1908, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL, RUGBY.

Judging by the cabled report of the recent professional rugby test match played by th,e New Zealanders against the Northern Union at Cheltenham last month, in which the All Blacks were victorious, the death knell of professional rugby, so far as New Zealand is concerned, has been sounded. The game towards the end, we are told, resolved itself into a blackguardly and disgusting exhibition ; Cross was ordered off the field for striking an opponent ; further on in the report we are informed that some more fighting took place, “Dunning using his &jtp pretty freely.” The Daily Express states that many spectators “left the ground heartily disgusted at the foul, brutal tactics employed.” The Chronicle refers to thg “ brutality and ruffianism ” of the game, and gives the im-

pression that on two occasions the spectators bad extras furnished for them in the way of prize fights. The Daily Chronicle came to the conclusion that the cause of professional rugby football had not been advanced much by the third and final test match. There is no doubt that professionalism and the tinkling coin smother the finer feelings of true spoil. No doubt the Northerners were as much to blame as our own boys, but professionalism does not elevate rugby football.