FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Br Full Back. FJXTUKES. Otago v. South Africans, at Carisbrook. —To-day. New Zealand v. South Africans, at Carisbrook.— August 13. Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill (Ranlurly Shield Match). —August 20. OTAGO S NORTHERN TOUR. Against Canterbury.—September 10. Against Wairarapa.—Septemuer 11. Against Taranaki.—September 17. * Against Hawke's Bay.—September 21. Against Wellington.—September 24. Against south oauteroury.—August 27 (special trip;. GOLDFIELDS TOUR. August IS to August 27. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT. “ Argument.”—The rulo simply slates that “ each sale shall play an equal time Horn each mgoal.” In New Zealand the spells are of 4a minutes each. In South Amca, however, 1 umieTstaud that they play 35 minutes.

To-day the Springboks will meet the Otago team at uansorook. The Blue torwarns are a solid pack, and 1 am sure that they will piuy a sound game, notwitnstaiiding that they will be up against a very heavy vanguard with a different formation to what they are used in local football. Hie back team can likewise be calculated on to fight hard trom start to finish. Hie Canterbury team beat the visitors, and there is no reason, in my opinion, to believe that Canterbury is a belter side than Otago. Canterbury jumped into their game right from the kick oil, and never gave the Springboks a chance to settle down to their usual game. My advice to the Otago team is to do likewise and to go for a win from the .first whistle. If the forwards are capably seconded by the backs they may, moreover, achieve it. There are five Morkels in the South African team. Henry Morkol is no relation to the other four. Harry Morkel and Royal Morkel are brothers, and cousins ot Gerhard Morkel and Boy Morkel, who are also brothers. The cousinship ;s mostly on the maternal side, three ot the four Morkel 'fathersr-these three being only distantly related—having married three sisters.

The game between the Southlandcrs and the Springboks quickly went against the wearers of the Maroon jerseys, 'ihe Southland barrackers, however, are keen supporters of their side, and even when they were 12 points to the bad there were some enthusiasts who thought that their team could snateh a victory. Some of the Southland supporters are, in fact, quite extreme in their admiration for their side. Whether such extreme admiration is a good thing for the game is a, matter of opinion. It is calculated, I consider, to drive away spectators who like to take their pleasure in watching a football match with the aver age amount of sporting barracking only. Dr F. 0. Hutchison, of the Otago University team of 1919 and preceding years, is included in the Wellington representative team which plays Canterbury at Wellington on Saturday next. This is what “Dropkick” had to sav in the Wellington Post prior to the Wellington team being selected“To the University team the selectors might well look for a number of representatives. Next to Siddclls and Aitken a very likely man is Hutchison, whose play as a five-eighth has been outstanding in recent matches. He knows what is required of an inside back, and carries it out to the best of his ability. Against Athletic his lone-hand work was of an attractive order. In defence he is sound.

“Going for the dirt” is at no time a desirable reputation for a Rugby footballer, but one forward in Wellington {says the Post) appears to becoming a past master at the “art” (it would be more correct to describe it as a crime). The tactics restored to by this player have more than once evoked the righteous indignation of spectators as well as opposing players, and he would be well advised to drop his questionable methods. No one expects a same of Rugby to be played like marbles, but it may as well be played cleanly, and if a man cannot adhere to the truest principles of sportsmanship he should forsake the Union code.

It is said that Jackson’s sight is not as good aa it might be (says the Wellington Post). On one occasion during last Saturday’s match the University • man certainly led spectators to .believe that such is the case by a tackle he executed in front of the stand. Luckily, Mr Noilson (the referee) was solid enough to prevent being grounded in the mud ! At another stage of the game, however, Jackson showed that he was quite capable of distinguishing the goal posts — he “potted” a fine goal. Lucas, the prominent wing-forward, has recovered from the injury which prevented him from plaving in the inter-island match. He was to have nlayed in the Auckland Possibles v. Probables match last Saturday. Dear “Full Back.”—There seems to b° dissatisfaction right through the South Island over the programme rights and photographic rights re the Springbok matches. The programmes themselves are priced at Is. this sum being excessive, considering the huge amount of -advertising matter included. T have one with mo now, end they are certainly not worth more than fid. Are these programme and photoeranhjc restrictions the result of nurely Wellington rule? If so. it is time the remaining provinces woke up. Wellington rtdo has been too apparent in connection with many of our union s and associations, athletic "nil business alike. —I am, etc.. Front Ranker.