A FEW PLAIN FACTS

NZ Truth, Issue 114, 24 August 1907, Page 7

A FEW PLAIN FACTS

« : CONCERNING ENGLISH FOOTBALL. By an ex-Wellingtonian. By the last English m^il I was the recipient of a letter from an exWelltogtohiati who is fulfilling ' a five years' engagement with a firm of electrical engineers m the Old Country. The writer was always an enthusiastic Ru'g^byite, and he has taken every advantage of seeing the big contests and county fixtures m Fog'laiid, as well as (being a spectator of the game as it is played under the Northern Union's rules. Amongst other things he, says :— "The news that a professional team is about to invade this country has caused a great flutter m Rugby circles, and the English Rugiby Union officials are endeavoring by every means m their power to minimise its importance, but so far without any degree of success. As a matter of fact, Rugbyites are sick unto death of the conservative gentlemen who have been bossing the show 'here for so many years past to the detriment of the grand old game, and the effect of this visit of n professional team from far-away New Zreala/nd will do a power., of good ia

more ways than one. I have seen the game played under both codes and I can assure you that from a spectacular viewpoint, the exhibition of the professional teams is miles ahead of the showing as we are treated to it m New Zealand. lam certain that were New Zealand privileged to see the contests under Northern rules, *tbey wouldn't cross the street to watch the other game. Rugby m your colony is not m it with Northern Rugby.. To see the 'backs going at top all through the game and' forwards on the move from start to finish, is exhilarating and an eyeopener for people who, like myself, have been imbued with the idea that nothing can approach Rugby as it is .played m New Zealand. "Whatever you may hear to the contrary, your professional team is bound to receive- a magnificent welcome from the people who give their support to the Northern Rugby game, and from friends living m the towns whore it is played, I am assured that the hospitality and reception tendered to the "All Blacks" will sink into insignificance compared to the welcome that is sure to be extended to the pros. There is bound to be big gates, and when the tour comes to an em!, I think it will be found that, striking a general average, the crowds have bee-n pretty well on a par m point of numbers with those present to see Gallaher and his men a couple of years ago. I was present at several of their matches, and, though as a New Zealander I don't desire to 'bolrttle their prowess and record, still it must be admitted that 75 per cent, of the combinations they upended would stand' a poor chance against a \Poneke or Petone senior fifteen. You have junior teams which would probably have "donkey-licked" many of the country combinations that triad conclusions with the '-'All Blacks " ■ ' "I am assured from those m the know jbhat an English' professional team will visit the colony and Australia m 1909 or 1910, and that the finest exponents of the game will be included. Several moneyed men, outside the Northern Rugby Union officials, are prepared to plank down substantial cheques m furtherance of the scheme, one wealthy supporter of the game having already signified his intention to fork but .£IOOO if it is needed. The Northern,. Rugby Urtfon officials are highly amused at the misleading statements circulated throughout New j Zealand regarding the progress of the • game under their" auspices. Manager Dixon, of the 'All Blacks,' made some preposterous assertions to a Wellington pressman about Northern Rugby, which have beon shown to its supporters, and they are wondering whether the colonists are such fools as to swallow the 'piffle' Dixon may know a little about Rugby as it is played unler E.R.U. rules, but as regards the game playod under the other code his knowledge equals that of the tribes m the unexplored parts of Africa. t.f Dixon- is one of the best experts you have m New Zealand on your Ru-gbv came, it don't say much for lite intp-nifnonce of tho crowd now running "the show there. I saw a lettor m one of the Lancashire papers dealing with Dixon's statements about -the financial prospects of a professional team coining from New Zealand's shores, ami it would have done ibis oy-osig'ht good were he to seethe j 'roasting' administered to him by the correspondent, who evidently knows as much about Paig-hv m New Zealand as tbo 'All Black' manager himself. It is a pity that K T ew Zealanders havrn't the chance of consider-, ing the matter of the E.R.U v. Nor-' thorn Union controversy from an independent standpoint. Their sympathies would, I am certain-, be aiiiokly extended to the Northern Union, whioh |ms ma.de praiseworthy efforts to make the game popular to. the public."