FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

MANFURLY SHIELD. WELLINGTON v. AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. For the Ranfurly Shield match against Auckland the following have been chosen to represent Wellington on Wednesday: Full-back, Siddells; three-quarters, D. Algar, E. Ryan, Jackson; five-eighths, M. Nicholls, B. Algar; half, H. E. Nicholls; wing forward, E. King; forwards, J. Shearer, A. Parker, W. Ryan, Bruce, Moffitt, S. Shearer, Standen.

MAORIS AND SPRINGBOKS

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE. Rotorua, Last Night. The Arawas have telegraphed Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks: — “Honors easy regarding the rest matches. Congratulate you on the success of your tour and take this opportunity of saying good-bye, wishing you ■well.”

DINNER TO TEST TEAMS. MINISTERIAL APPRECIATION. Wellington, Sept. 19. At the dinner to the teams the Hon. J. G. Coates, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, expressed appreciation of the visitors botft on and off the grounds. As sportsmen they had made a splendid showing, and as citizens of South Africa they were welcomed by the citizens of a sister State. As to the Maoris, they and the pakcha were one in This country. We were proud of the Maori, and ne thought the visitors now understood him. He also referred to the hospitality extended to New Zealand soldiers. Mr. Bennett, the Springboks’ manager, in reply, said he did not think there could have been a more happy ending to the tour. As he put it, “The best team drew.” He spoke very highly of their treatment everywhere, and said that, though on occasions he had complained, too much must not be made of that. He especially deprecated inferences drawn from the incident at Nelson that it was to injure the prospects of the Africans in the last [ test. That was merely a joke, the ! point of which had been lost. Mr. Pienaar, captain, said that when they left they were told they were in for a strenuous time, and they now realised it. He had hoped to take back •the ashes with him, but the hope had not been realised. He thought New Zealand had made marvellous progress for a small country.

THE INJURED REFEREE. REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. Wellington, Sept. 19. Mr. Neilson, the referee in Saturday’s match, was more injured than it was supposed, and, after the game was over, had to receive medical attention. In fact a rumor got about that he was dead, but he was only confined to bed, and is expected to be about again in a day or two.