CORRESPONDENCE RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 18083, 26 September 1922, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a keen follower of our national pastime, and an enthusiastic supporter of all clean sport, I would l like to add my emphatic protest to the unsportsmanlike tactics (to speak mildly) adopted by certain members of the Otago team which met and defeated the University team on Saturday last. Let me commence by stating that I am in no way connected with the University itself, nor have I, as far as I know', even made the acquaintance of one of the ’Varsity players. It has been a well-known and fact that the latter have during the past season done more than any local team or combination towards maintaining (or striving to retain) the high standard of Rugby in our province that was manifest in years gone by. .The public’s enthusiastic support of the students’ team strongly emphasises this assertion, and tho O.R.F.U, has consequently reaped a huge benefit, both as regards the standard of play and the consequent financial profit. What a pity, therefore, that "this team should be subjected* to tho unreasonably and inexcusably “rough stuff” hurled at them in Saturday’s benefit match! ■ Supporters of both sides were loud in their condemnation of the tactics of the Otago players concerned, and the opinion seemed to be fairly generally expressed that’ several of the Otago players qualified themselves for a term of disqualification. Rumor has it that there is more than a possibility of a few teams next season making an endeavor to introduce tho League game hero, and the play in the match in question (if it is going to be tolerated 1 ) would certainly have little effect in influencing our premier team from changing over to a game where they could continue to show their science and sportsmanship without being subject to the “ dirt ” they were compelled to, meet on Saturday last. The referee treated all of Saturday's unfortunate incidents with apparent unconcern. What is the Rugby Union going to do about it?—l am, etc.. Spectator. September 26.