FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 218, 8 September 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

IMPROVING RUGBY. By Telegraph— l'ress Association. Dunedin, Last -Sight At a meeting of the Otago Rugby Union to-night a cominunication was received from the New Zealand Union to tiie effect that a special meeting will be held on October Ist to consider the advisability of amending the rules with a view to the improvement of the game. The local committee decided to recommend alterations in the direction of abolishing the charge in the case of a five kick or kick at goal; the imposition of a penalty in t'he event of the bail landing directly in touch from the kick-off or kick-out| the imposition of a penalty on a player crossing an imaginary line drawn through the back of a scrum on his own side while the ball is !n the scrum; t'he reduction of, tlie team to 14 players; the modification of the advantage given to the side which touches down; the referee putting the ball in the scrum; a goal from a mark or penalty counting two points; allowing a player brought to tiie ground to pass the ball though the ball has touched the ground, providing it bo done immediately; the game being plajvd in four spells of 20 minutes tMidt It was also recommended that a copy of the resolution be sent to the New South Wales and Queensland Unions, with the object Of securing their co-operation in the formation of an Australasian Rugby Union;: that the rules as to professionalism be amended in the direction of paying player for time lost while touring with rep. teams.

The Northern Union match in New Plymouth, fixed for Thursday next, has been abandoned, owing to there being no ground available. The promoters say that throughout the interval the .plavers will practise the new game, with a view to launching it thoroughly at the beginning of next season. The committee of management of the Ingki.vood United Football Club has awarded Mrs. Sutherland's trophy to L. Olson, as the best forward; and Mr, IL Thomson's trophy "for the. moat improved player" to R. Cleave.