FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8833, 8 June 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

i.,'V~- + The New Zealand Teatti. Pressa Association. Auckland, Juno 7.

In regard to the football team for Australia, Eokhold and Paton are the only I two with whom Anoklander3 are not j familiar. ■ The most notable Auckland absentees aie Goo. Smith and Nicholson. The Auckland three-quarters has been playing right at the top oi Ms form this season and his non-inclusion comes as a big surprise to followers of the game in this city. Probably the reason for the dropping of Smith and Nicholson was that their work did not come under the eye of the selectors in the inter-Island match. No exception can be taken to any of the three-quarters included, and a matter for congratulation is that three of the four, Fryer, Mitchinson and Dive, are young players. Coleman, who is picked as reserve half-back, played on the wing against Auckland last year, but is regardod as equally good as half-back and can play in the three-quarter line if necessary. He will be available as wing should Gillett become incapacitated. The forwards are considered as good a lot as ever left the colony. They are heavy, fast, and clevor all throug)', a fine set of scrummagers, quick to break up and always on the ball. Local opinion is that it will be a good pack that outplays them.

Professionalism Criticised. Vrcss Association—- \ Sydney, June 7. Professionalism in football was severely criticised at the recoption given to tho 'Queensland team in the Town Hall. Mr Calvert, President of New South Wales Rugby Union, saw some danger in tho taint of all taints as regards football. Tho professional game was looking up and he hoped New South Wales and Queensland would resolutely set their faces against it. The moment professionalism entered anything, behind it came that abominablo thing the gambling spirit, and that was a spirit they wanted to keep out of a good manly game like football. Attorney-General Wads, referring to tho damage professionalism caused in England declared that the higher aspects of the game were entirely lost aud it came to be a matter of having in one pocket a large amount of money and in the other a larger amount of blue metal. Mr Oaks, member of tho Assembly, said he was glad to see the first attempt to introduce professionalism in New Zealand shut down on. , Mr R. Teece said it was gratifying that the first attempt in New Zealand met with such a formidable robufE.

Mr Lea, manager of Queensland team, did not think there was the slightest chance of professionalism getting a hold in Queensland, but there was always a danger of it creeping in. They were determined to watch and keep tho gamo clean. Rangitikei Sub-Union. | The Rangitikei Sub-Union held a general meeting at the White. Hart Hotel on Friday evening, when tho notice of motion for now rule was considered. On tho motion of Mr H. W. Saunders, seconded by Mr Pawson, the rule' was amended to read as follows was passed:—"A senior player is any player having played in three matches in the present or any past year,"; a junior player is "any player having played in three matches in tho present or any past year.'' Turakiua will remain with Waugauui for tho present year, as they have played so far into the fixtures. Tho insurance scheme is in working order, and secretaries of clubs should at once collect the 2s from members. This payment and notification to referees will secure insurance pending the issue of the receipt book. Junior Fixtures.—June 12th, Bulls v. Marton, at Marton; Juiio 19th, Mar ton v. Rata, at Rata.