ANGLO-WELSH TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 290, 2 December 1908, Page 4

ANGLO-WELSH TOUR.

JtAXAGER HAKXICTT TALKS. N.Z. REFEREES CRITICISED. (.New Zealand Times Corresnun'.l.-ut. ) , LOXJKJN, [ leu,lie;' Hi. . ueuty- tnree out of the \ upniv-nino V avers who left England last April play Rugby football in X,w Zealand and Australia returned u> Knsjlaiul hv the Campania from New York'last Saturday, alter a tour of about 311,!)U0 imles. Ui tlie remaining six. Saxon and Kvrk remained in Canada shooting, two returned home b.v another steamer, ami Dr. MeEvedy and llardiu.r remained iu New Zealand.

hail to relate the deeds of the AngloWelsh team during tile four attained 1 very little attention here ; indeed even amongst Kugby players there seemed Lo lie a total lack of real interest in the 'tongs ol the tourists, and the Home newspapers, with the exception of the Spoitsman,' seldom mentioned the team beyond publishing the bald cable leports of the niatehes Tne team's return and the result of the tour were announced in ten lines „f the Times, and lew papers gave any greater prominence to the homecoming of Mr Harnett's )<),vs. there was no rush to interview the members of the team on arrival at Liverpool;indeed no one seemed to have taken any notice of them. Last Tuesday, however, a "Sportsman" interViewer rail .\ir Harnett to earth in his chambers m the Temple, and extracted fioin him some views nnd opinions which may be of interest lo your readers. Air Harnett was most enthusiastic concerning the trip, it I,ad, he said, given him a wider outlook of life j lie I was able to sympathise with the aims and ambitions of the colonial, and the change of air had greatly improved his I health.

Regarding the reception ot his team, Mr Harnett said :

"1 must say we were splendidily received. -Every class in the Dominion united to do us honor, and even the Government went out of their way to provide us with special trains for our long journeys. What had been said of New Zealand will, also apply, to Australia. We found that wherever the Rugby Union game was played] we were welcome as good fellow,s and sportsmen." As to the results in Xew Zealand he remarked

"We were undoubtedly handicapped by the recurring injuries to some of our I best players, and also by the fact that the referees do not interpret the laws as we do over here. Speaking as a referee I think the New Zealand referees are far too fond of the strict letter of the law; they do not enter sufficiently into the spirit of the game. Both in New Zealand and in New South Wales referees are looking forward to some amendments, and, if there should be a revision, are anxious that the rules shouud lie so explicit that tliey can't be mistaken wherever the game is played. New Zealand hud already proposed certain alterations which will doubtless come before tin' Uugby Union. There is also a proposal for a general conference to be held in Loudon next year, at which the whole subject will be discussed." Asked whether the tour had helped the cause of amateurism ill the cololiies Jlr Harnett expressed the opinion that it did, adding, " Northern Union football had made a start, but it must encounter

immense dilliculties. At present I cannot see how it can be made successful. You sec, all the best grounds are managed by the district unions under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand K.l'. Then again the important towns are far removed from one another. Considerable linaneial support must be necessary for a paid team to succeed. The travelling expenses alone would be very heavy. JMense remember also the amateurs are thoroughly organised. The district unions keep a tight grip on football affairs, the conduct oi players and oflicials. Tile public schools are keen supporters of u'ir code, and" the people—well, I have never seen such perfervid enthusiasm. It is almost a religion with many of them."

And wOiat would you say as to the strength of Xew Zealand at present '! was the lu'xt query. Mr. tlartnett replied, " In my opinion the best team of ' All Blacks ' would beat any team in the world unless a very exceptional side was turned out in opposition. At its best Xew Zealand football is wonderfully attractive ; they have perfected their system, and, if anything, their back play is superior to their forward play. But backs and forwards can bo admirable, and as we have already seen in England. There are, however, some objectionable features which should be eliminated. First the wing forward should de abolished at all costs. Our team siill'cred heavily from his offside and obstructive methods. 'Pointing' ought to be dime away with. ' I'ninliiig ' I siiould delinc as clever obstruction."

Mr Harnett thought Now South Wales compared favorably with >.'ow Zealand, ;<ml mentioned the present Australian loam as likely to take a groat deal of beating. "Willi regard to our two defeats in Australia." he proceeded, "that inllieted l'V the Western Province was largely due to Hie faet that the majority of the hoy.-: went rilling previously ami were so still' and sore from the effects that they could not do themselves justice. Our defeat by JS T ew South Wales was due to rank luiil [day 011 our part. We deserved to lose. New South Wales Kttgby is exceedingly keen, and its management is quite as good as hi New Zealand. It is diflieult to say what headway the professionals are making, but I can say this ; they do not get much support from the Press." Asked as to Vancouver, Mr Harnett remarked that the game was undoubtedly spreading. He had -also received good reports of liugby progress is AVinnipeg, Toronto, Xova Scotia, and the Western States of America, California especially, He believed shortly that an invitation would be extended to the Rugby I'nion to send out a missionary side to California.