FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

By Full Back. The possibility of an American University Rugby team touring Australia next year is brought to light by a. cable from W. J. Howo, oiio time secretary of the Metropolitan Union, now coach to the State Unaversity team at California, who wires that the combined 'universities Would make an excellent touring team, An English appreciation of 60me players wo know in the London Hospital team this year: Tho three-quarter backs are good enough individually, but tho question :'s whether they will get together well. They are Palmer, Adams, ilncpherson, and Batchelor, three of them international players. The half-backs are sure to be very strong-A. B. Lindsay and Heale, with Roux as reserve. Heale is, in the opinion of some people, the best fly half playing. How the Selection Committee passed him over la6fc year was remarkable. Probably a strong pack will be got together, though in addition to those abovenamed Sharp is unlikely to play. Howevur, tho following will probably be avail-able:-Kennedy, MehafTey, Footc, 'Chapman, and Thompson. Some time ago the American universities adopted the Now Zealand scrum formation, but this season it lias been changed in favour of the eight in the pack. England and its critics do not look with favour on the expressed in New Zealand as to bringing the game of Rugby "up to date." One of tho leading football authorities of the At.hletio News remarks: "Let Australia and New Zealand malic whatever changes they like, but do not let- them ask players of tho Homeland to practise them. We do not ask for any better iaws than controlled the last, meeting of England and Scotland at Richmond. That was grand football, and fast enough and fair onough to suit the most fastidious. So long as it is possible to play such football our rules are all l'ight. Tiiey are tho laws o£ Rugby football. Tampered with they are nothing of the sort, and the legislators of Australasia nui'jfc hear this in mind."

An English comment on G. W. Smith: On the Oldham side. George Smith fairly took tip honours _of the clay. He scored two tries, and his second was worthy of tiio famous Now Zoalander at his best. And Iw is 37 yeare of age to-day. A wondorful testimony indeed is a match like Saturday's to Smith's careful methods of training, for tho All Black was equal to his grcntest effort after 65 minutes' strenuous play.