FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 June 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

"ALL BLACK" PROFESSIONAL SCHEME. A representative of the Wellington Post has been informed on good authority that the "All Black" team of Ru«bv footballers, which is going Home topla'y the English Northern Unio.i clubs j" s not being organised by a speculative syndicate, as has been reported in various quarters. The players are financing themselves, although they have been offered outside financial assistance if it is required. It i- stated that prominent representative players invited to join the party have, with few exceptions, consented to make the trip. Veeording to the inner circle, a public 'innonneement would have been made some time ago. but for the fact that toomnnv players are offering. This necessitates a selection committee compo-ej of delegates from each of the four centres meeting and making a final selection. It is stated that before long the public will be taken fully into the confidence of the plavers. who do not wish to ha.nper the New Zealand Rugby Union in any way. It was the intention to leave New Zealand after the Australian tour organised by the New Zealand Rughy Union, but the action of the Union in requiring players to sign the vleclaration which was published last week has precipitated matters, s 0 that the team for England will now probably leave in July, and go Home via Suez, in order to arrive in time for the opening of tli" English season.

THE NORTH ISLAND TEAM. Speaking of tlie North Island team, the Post says:—Although the team does not, by any means, represent the full '-tri-iia'tli of the North Island, a number of men who are strangers to the top rung of the Rugby bidder are hciig given an opportunity to distinguish Ihem-elves: the result may be that (hey j will prove tint in New Ze-i'e.nd i. not confined to one p-irtienlar set of players. Some of the men not conside"cd. howev-r. are undoubtedly worth th-ir pine, not only in en inter-Mend teim, but in the be-t combination that eo-dj be sel -'l'vl in New Zealand at 111" present time. A number of the p'ayers l«ft out were members of the 'Uir.lack' t'njm which tourel England, a-d. <■■"■ co-dinT to newspaper reports, some of them have b-cn playing up to their very hest form ihi- season.