FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 74, 17 November 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

(By "Pakeha.")

A letter which came into my possession the other day makes it clear that the South African team is. a much more powerful combination than we imagine. The sender of the missive, who knows the whole Rugby game from A to Z, and has seen it played m New Zealand, Australia and the Old Country, says that the South Africans have as much pace and stamina as the ''All Black" vantruard, but they lack the trickiness of the New Zealand division. On the other hand there is much more solidness about their back division, and the threeauarter is more than equal to the best that could have been put m the field by Gallagher's organisation.

The Hon. C. G. Wade, AttorneyGeneral m the N.S.W. State Ministry, is not only an old representative of Kangarooland, but he has gained his cap as an English and . Oxford University representative. At a recent "smoker" Mr Wade said he played all three games of footballRugby, Australian, and British Association — and there was no doubt whatever m his mind that Rugby was the greatest game, more especially m its educational influence as a builder-up of physique, manliness, and character m young men.

Mr W. W. Hill, -who has received the appointment of secretary to the N.S.W. Rugfoy Union, was a. strong tip for the position when Mr Harry Holden threw up the billet. His selection is said to be very popular.

G-wyn Nioholls, gr-eatest, an^ best of ccntrtjTthreequarters m the ' United ' Kingdom, only played last year because he wished to crown his career against the New Zealanders. He was firmly determined at the close of last ; season that nothing would induce him ' to turn out atrain hi serious football. He might be induced to reconsider his decision should the South African team turn out to be as "mighty ,opposites" as the All Blacks.

Harding, who kicked the penalty, goal for Seivwright's team against the New Zealanders at the Athletic Park m 1904, spoke of giving up the game this season. We pride ourselves on our lilywhite amateurism m respect to the "All Blacks' ?> tour, but the South African Rugby authorities are going one better. Its players, who are now upending; the English combinations m great style, are not even allowed a single sixpence for Docket money. Only ' travelling and board expenses are allowed.

From a private source I hear that over 150 applications were received for the secretaryship of the N.S.W. Rugby Union. Of this number 7G were weeded out without much ado. The candidates included a ■well-known Wellington forward who was fourteenth last man to fleet passed out. It is matter for surprise locally that he stayed m so long.

A strong, active man, moving about town m his customary manner until a few days before the announcement of his death, the friends of P. M. ("Paddy") Lane could scarcely credit the sad news. It appears that he caupht a chill on Sunday, October 27th through lying on damp s;rass while heated. It quickly developed into pneumonia, and, blood-poisonine; supervening, he succumbed . on the followine; Saturday. The bloodpoisonmo: appears to have arisen through his scratching a pimple on his neck while he was delirious.

Rugby is to be the brand of football indulged m by the Universities Of California durinV the coming winter. Two colleges are hard at it, learning the fine points of the game. In a letter to a friend President Benjamin Wheeler, of California University. says Rugby is a splendid success there.