FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 18979, 29 June 1925, Page 12

FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS.

ro THE RDITOP sir,—l have read all the weekly reports of the Otago Rugby Union since my lastletter was published, but I see the O.R.F.U. is like tho N.Z.R.F.U.—a very conservative body. Why will the Rugby Unions of this country not try to get out of tho rut? They will not adopt any new ideas. The semi-final arrangement between the four leading teams is not only adopted by Soccer teams in England, but is actually adopted in Dunedin, above all places. The Wellington Rugby Union ie seriously considering tho suggestion put forward’ by mo three years ago through the medium of Mr M'Lcod (an ex-Alham-bra player, afterwards a brilliant. Wellington representative), and that is to eliminate Selwyn, Wellington, Hutt, and replace them by the first three second grade teams. It is contrary to human nature to say that (ho second grade players do not want to go out of the second grade. If a second grade team cun win nine, ten, eleven, or twelve matches out of twelve, surely it must bo anxious to get into first grade! 1 can’t understand tho mentality of a player who would rather play second than first grade. I maintain that my two suggestions deserve serious consideration—namely, play a series of semi-finals between the four leading teams (making six matches), then cut out, timsc teams that, cannot win three out of nine games in the first round, and replace them by the first three teams in tho second grade. If the second grade players will not come into tho first grade, then debar them from ever getting into first grade if they are so devoid of ‘ambition. Now, will any of the gentlemen of tho O.R.F.U. bring this up at their next weekly meeting? 1 would willingly sign my name, but I am not seeking publicity, only the improvement. of our Rugby football, both, from tho O.R.F.IVs and the spctcators’ point of view.—l am, etc., PIIOORESS. Juno 29,