NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8980, 14 November 1907, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS.

THE "PRO-BLACKS." PRESS VIEWS AND OPINIONS. (Post Correspondent). LONDON, October 4. On Monday the members of what had been styled the "phantom" New .Zealand footbojAfcenm, landed at Folkestone, haiPl journed by the overland route, via Boulogne. They were met at Folkestone by some members "of the Northern Rugby Unuuj, who had travelled south for the express purpose of welcoming the visitors, and as the New Zealanders stepped ashore they were given a hearty greeting. London was reached the same evening, and next day the players went through to Leeds, where they were accorded a huge reception; indeed, the streets were so crowded that all _ traffic, including the tramway service, *ad to be suspended. The team was entertained at dinner by .the Northern Union. G. W. Smith, the vice-captain, spoke in high terms of the qualities of the boys. Ho said they were every bit as good in every way'as the All Blacks, and especially in the forward division he thought they were decidedly better, although of course they had no good trials together, and it would take some practice for them to know each other's play. There is plenty of young stuff in the team, .and Smith was of the opinion that they would see it out better than their predecessors. When questioned as to what they expected to accomplish, Smith only smiled, and refused to be drawn. He, however, remarked that England could expect something good from them, as they had come over fully determined to give lovers of Rugby another exhibition of colonial sport. "Speaking of their status as amateurs or pros., money matters, and their prospects, Mr Baskerville and Mr Wright showed a quaint mixture of ingenuivSTaness, modesty, and confidence," remarks Mr F. B. Wilson. "The gist of what they said is this: *We consider ourselves amateurs in every way, and have just come over for sport and a holiday. We are paying our own expenses, bar the small minimum sum, £3,000, guaranteed by the Northern Union. Yes, if there is a surplus, we shall act on the'same lines as the Australian cricketers did. This is a sportirg tour designed to prove that we cau beat the Northern Union. We were told that the Northern Union played .a better game than the men our fellows beat, and we have come over to se3 if we can't beat your best;' And we think we can." In order to distinguish the present New Zealand team from its predecessor, the prefix "Pro." is used before the word "Blacks"—an abbreviation, of course, for the word professional. One London critic expresses the opinion that "the New Zea!ander.« are a fine-looking lot of men, and ■when McGregor, Smith and Messenger are operating at 'three-quarter' they should possess the best line over here in either professional or amateur Rugby. It is possible that McGregor will not have recovered sufficiently for him to play next week, but chief interest will attach to how the solitary 'All Geld'—as they have christened a Rugby pro. in Australiamember of the team will shape. He brings over a great reputation with him. Messenger says he has not the slightest intention, of remaining to play professional Rugby in England, but may follow up rowing over here. It is urged on behalf of the present side that they are a 'live' young team, and that no 'has beens' are included. In this respect they would -appear to differ from the representative amateur side which toured Australia."

No time was lost, on arrival at Leeds, for the beginning of practice, and when they turned out on to the Headingley Ground on Wednesday they had a great reception. Watkin was unfortunate in wrenching his icnee before he had been on the ground a quarter of an hour, and doubtless he will be out of the team for a fortnight at the least. The veteran, G. W. is reported .as having exhibited great activity on the field, while "the great Messenger was a treat to witness. He handled the leather and sprinted down the enclosure in magnificent style. Wynyard, junr., was much in evidence, and is evidently a wonderful dodger. McGregor was remarkably cleanin taking his passes, and the same may be said of the whole team. The general impression formed was that Smith, Wrigley, Messenger, and McGregor will constitute a formidable threequarter line."