FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16288, 22 January 1915, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. By Full Back. Another Rugby Union footballer, in the peison of W. G. Tasker, the New South Wales five-eighth, has volunteered 1 for active service m the Australian trooi'S for tho front. Ho was a member of the taam which visited America, and also leprceentod Australia against New Zealand in Sydney last season. Old Rugby Unionists in Sydney are very proud of tho way in which the younger men have volunteered in the present national crisis. It is safe to say that exponents of no other game in Australia have shown their p.tiotism to a higher degree in t;.c matter of endsting than Rugby Union men.

Footballers at Homo—Association players, that is (practically all the Rugby men are at the front or have joined the new army) —arc being gradually induced to join the colours; but where it i 6 a ease of livelihood with the men, as in the large proportion, a good deal of opposition is being experienced. We have been told that reverses and not successes make for recruiting. If that is so, taking a lino through the casualty list and noting the numbers of prominent players who have been wounded or killed in action, the whole of the sporting world of England should rise to avenge their comrades. The cables the other day mentioned that two Scottish international Rugby men were killed in recent engagements, and the English files just to hand contain a formidable list of names of prominent footballers, cricketers, and athletes who have been either disabled or killed ot the'front. Dealing -with Rugby men whose names are not unknown in New Zealand, ■we find amongst the wounded Lieutenant Lewis Robertson, a Scottish international and former captain of the London Scottish team which our own Colin Gilray had the honour of leading for a season prior to his returning to Dunedin. Robertson was a forward of the robust type, and had a fine set of international caps to show for his prowess. He is said to have had the coolest head for an emergency, and the stoutest heart against long odds. Another Scottish J international whose name figures among the wounded in the latest- list is that of Lieutenant Cowland. He gained six cups for Scotland, and was also a member of the London Scottish team which has furnished bo many soldiers of the King. Lieutenant Chcetham, who was ■wounded in a recent engagement and invalided home, played half back for the Harlequins; Lieutenant Burt-Marshall, reported "wounded and missing," was a member of the Fettes team which turned out that famous Scottish Rugby three-quarter K. G. M'Leod. The latter has joined the Gordon Highlanders, and was married the other day a{ Aberdeen prior to going to the front. J. E. Crabbie (Oxford and Scotland', who played in five international matches, is a lieutenant in the 6th Black Watoh. Looking through the English papers for news of the Rugby men who have gone to the front, I came across an article inspired by the number of famous footballers who have sacrificed their lives for their country. The writer, the well-known "W. L. S„" has something interesting to say concerning a player who will bo remembered in Dunedin, Bedell-Sivright, captain of the British Rugby, team which toured

New Zealand in 1904. Bcdell-Sivright had not gone to the front when the mail left, but probably is among those who are in training for the new army which is to bo let loose in spring. "W. L. S." states that D. R. Bedell-Sivright is remembered tho world over as a great forward. His opponents may not mention that his methods were of kid-glove order—in all probability they will apply adjectives other than 'forcible' and 'hefty' to his tactics, but they will grant, the courage and skill of the man." The members of the All Black team did not regard S'vright with any show of affection, but they admitted that he was a good forward. Tho only time I saw Sivright playing was against Canterbury, on a snow-covered field, in 1904, when the late Bob Deans scored a sensational try. Sivright proved then a fine forward in a team of exceptionally good forwards. Some discussion is going 011 in America as to making changes in the Rugby laws, and it is stated that action will be taken at the next meeting of the Union. A Rules Committee, appointed to go over the situation, has suggested two changes. One is to play the game with 14 men, playing a two-three-two scrum, and eliminating" the wing forward. Tho other is to change the value of the score for a try followed by a goal-kiok, making the try count 4 points and the goal 1. There is a strong possibility of the scoring rule being adopted, as there has always been a feeling in the States that the value of a try in proportion to the value of a goal-kick should be greater than three to two; but the rule reducing the number of players has many opponents, and it is hardly likely that it will bo adopted.