FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 71, 13 March 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE BRITISH TEAM. CAPABILITIES OF THE PLAYERS. The principal topic of conversation in football circles at present is the approaching visit of the English Rugbv football team. The combination which has just been selected at Home may reasonably be expected (says the Dominion) to give a better 'account of itself than the last team, for the following reasons:—lt will have the advantage of a letter knowledge of the New Zealand style of play; it will not lie ivcpiircd lo meet our tennis after an exhausting lom- in Australia; and its itinerary will commence before the varioii- New Zealand teams have had an opportunity to strike their best form. A glance at the cablegram recording the names of the players selected by (he English authorities reveals the fail that Irish and Scottish representatives arc conspicuously absent. The team, it will be seen, is composed principally of English players, and is considered at Home lo be "fairly representative/' Although the Christian names of all the players have not been cabled, there can be little doubt as to the identity of the various meniliers of the team. Subjoined are a few details gleaned from the lending English athletic papers respecting the capabilities of the players.

KVLL HACKS. J. C. M. Dyke, London-Welsh and (ilamorgansliire, represented his countv against the All Blacks in 111(15, his play being marked by great industry and thoroughness. K. J. Jackett. Cornwall. Jxdccster. and England, is an old International, and is noted for his judgment, tackling, and line-kicking. By means of magnificent long punts into touch he has repeatedly stood his side in good stead. Jackett is the only member of tbo visiting team who represented England against the All Blacks. On that occasion he was severely tried, and came through the ordeal with (lying colors, lie also play- a fine game as a threequarter.

THREE-QUARTERS. Reggie A. Gibbs, Cardiff, who is very highly spoken of by English critics, played for Wales against England this season, lie represented C-lamorganiire against the All Bkoks.

J. h. Williams, Cardiff, *»d *n«t a>« present Welsh International, also played for (.ilamorgansliire against the All Blacks.

'!'. F. McEvedy, Guy's Hospital and Kont, was a member of the English loam whicli visited New Zealand in 1904, and is a New Zealand-Irishman by birth, lie has good defence, makes the best of opening?, is a powerful tackier and a reliable place-kick. McEvedy is captain of the Kent, team this season. H. H. Vassall, Oxford, Somerset, EngI lisli International 1007-8, has the rcputaI linn of being able to make an opening I "out of nothing." He does not tackle his man by overhauling him by pace or [getting liini sideways, but makes a frontal fare-10-faeo tackle.

A. Griffiths, Monmouthshire, is stated to be possessed of plenty of pace, and is looked upon as a dangerous man. 11. Archer, Guy's Hospital, Bridgwater Albion, and Somerset, is one of a fine pack of forwards who have a reputation for the vigor of their attack, lie represented Somerset Count v in the match against the All Blacks. •lones, Monmouthshire, is either Alfred Jones, of Pontneyedd, (!. .lones, of l/mdon-W'clsh, or W". A. Jones, of Cardiff. All three have shown good form during ihe current season. J. I s . .Tone., Guv's Hospital and Kent, can also play a good defensive game as a half-back. From reports it, appears that at times he is inclined to Tie selfish.

V. E. Chapman, Westue and Durham. is said to lie gifted with plenty of pace, but English files have little or nothing to say in reference to bis recent performances.

HALVES. Davey, Redruth and Cornwall, is a strong player of a very useful type. Laxon, Coventry and Midland Counties, was severely injured at the beginning of the season, but has since given some fine exhibitions. Selected as a reserve half in the match Midlands and East Midland v. Oxford and Cambridge, he was required to play. A report of the match states that be secured the ball from the scrum in great stvle and sent the passes out to his fellow backs in streams.

W. Morgan, Guy's Hospital and Kent, is reported to be a clever half. G. Williams. Lancashire, has scored a great many times this soason by means of dodgy mils.

FORWARDS. R. Dibble, Bridgwater Albion and Somerset, past and present English International, plays an exceedingly bard game. In the International trial match .\oith v. South recently, he initiated a number of brilliant loose rushes. He was a member of the Somerset team which opposed the All Blacks. I'. Down, Bristol and Somerset, played all through the season, but is not specially mentioned in any of the liles.

"Dyk«," Somerset, is probably an error in cabling the name, the player doubtless being (j. V. Kyrke, of the Taunton Albions aud Marlborough Nomad-, who represented Somerset against the All Blacks when he was prominent in leading rushes.

K. 1!. Cireen, Neath and Ulamorganslure, was picked aa a reswT* in the annual niaU'h in Wales, "White v. Stripes." Edgar .Morgan, Swansea aud Glamorganshire, was also picked as a reserve iu the match just referred to. Jj. Thomas' name does not appear in any of the recent English papers. W, L. Oldham, Coventry and Midfi lauds, lias taken part in a number of important matches this season, including the contest between Oxford and Cambridge v. .Midlands and East Midlauds, in which he stood out prominently. In 11MI5 he was a Member of the Midland Counties team wliich met the All Blacks.

J. A. 8. llitson is a prominent member of the Northern team in Northumberland. V. Jackson, Leicester ami Cornwall, is a player of note and a reliable placekick. Jle represented Leicester against the All Ulacks.

•I. F. Williams, captain of the UimionWelsh. is reputed to lie a splendid dribbler. He represented (ilamorganshire. Wale-, and Middlesex against the All Black-.

A. F. Harding, Condon-Welsh, Cardill', and Wales, is an old International and captain of this year's Welsh team, lie wa- a member of the English Hlu-t team to Australia and New Zealand, and is considered to be one of the leading Briti-h forwards of the do v. He is a reliable place-kick. Harding was a member of the .Middle-ex and Welsh team- which met th,. All Blacks. T. W. Wil-on. Carli-le. Uvdc-dalf. and <'iiinl.crlaiid. doc- not appear to have -tood out above hi- comrades in any of the mai.lte- be ha- taken pari in (hi- season.

'l'. Smith. Uici'*ler, li,.lciii ß s t„ j, pack which make- a t'fiituri' nl' heeling-out.