The English Rugby Invasion.

NZ Truth, Issue 143, 14 March 1908, Page 3

The English Rugby Invasion.

for months past it has heen drummed into our ears that the over-sea Rugby team to exploit the Dominion's, Rugby domain shortly would be a mighty combination. Much more so,, m fact, than that led by either Seddon or Sivwright m former years. The cock-crowing of theseexcessively jubilant spirits lessened considerably when it was discovered that neither Scotland nor Ireland would make one m the venture, the seauence being that the combination had to be made up entirely of English and Welsh players. Now, the cable-sertder at the other end modestly intimates to New ; Zealand Rugbvites that the team to leave Fogland early next month is only a fairly representative team. It is impossible at tins early stage to accurately place all the selected men, and :thc writer isn't presumptious enough to enter upon a criticism of the nlav6rs of both divisions until he is placed m fuller particulars as to their capabilities. That task he will* undertake m a later issue of "Truth.'' In the meantiiine, he will content himself with the declaration that the visitors ought to be ahle to hold their own with provincial combinations, and is, moreover, likely to ifive New Zealand more than it wants before the whistle toots for the cessation of hostilities on June .27. Knitted together, as it -will be, by constant practice, the EnglishWelsh team must prove a very tough nut to crack, its strength, as far as can be gleaned ■ from the reputation of th. players, resting mainly with the rearguard. The scrummagers, however, appear to be a weightier, solid* i. and faster-rushing lot than Sivwright's packmen were. Our forces wiU be under the disadvantage of not havinp- got fairly off the season's mark, and for that reason, too, the chosen men must be largely recruited from last year's representative ranks, giving younger and abler players no chance to display their capabilities m the arena. It cannot be gainsaid that the prowess of several of our crack men was on the wane at the end of the 1907 season, but selectors generally seem to have the happy knack of utilising their services season' m and season out, until disablement, sickness, or old aire compels them to view the game from the bank. Tlie "reputation" ; footballer has long been the curse oif this Dominion, and many a bright junior player has had brilliant "respects spoiled by the retention of the "has-beens" m ■ representative as well as club combinations. Selectors of . provincial teams and the New Zealand combination to meet the English and Welsh visitors, should give duo weight to the claims of young and deserving players and not place too much reliance on the crocks who have the damnably good luck to catch their eye so often.