FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 25, 21 February 1920, Page 22

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL

During the years of war, Rugby, like other sports in the colonies, langxiished someAvhat because its votaries were in the firing line with their confreres. The old game, however, was kept going by the schoolboys and youths.

Last season we witnessed a great revival of all sport, and particularly Rugby, throughout New Zealand, but more especially in this province. This, season the standard of play should reach a very high pitch — as high, and let us hope, higher, than the famous old "All Black". standard.

Football, like all living activities, changes in the evolutionary process' —and survival means that it must progress with the times.

In "ye good olde days," when football was mock Avarfare—a sort of sham fight, two towns tackled each other. A ball was used in the cross-country tussle, and the main consideration was to keep on side.

We cannot be too critical or hard on the referee to-day, who insists on this essential and time-honoured rule.

It dates back to the inception of the good old game. By slow change, "from precedent to precedent," the game has gradually improved, and become less a matter of brute force and more a game of skill, speed, and brains.

In New South Wales a few years ago a secession took place from the Rugby Union code, and to a slight extent a similar movement has begun in New Zealand.

Learning by the mistaken policy of the New South Wales Union, Axickland courageously stepped out

and amended the rules of the old code, making the game faster, more scientific, and spectacular. By pluckily facing opposition arid criticism, and tenaciously sticking to the improved and more popular amended rules, the opposition has now thrown its lot in with Auckland, and with what prospects do we face the coming season?

New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa have spoken recently with no uncertain voice. They favour the adoption of the amended code, and this united front, presented to the British Rugby Union, should influence that body, and make it adapt itself to the changing conditions; make it throw aside its hide-bound conservatism and take a reasonable modern view. We have no big leisured class in the colonies like there is in England, that can play football and meet expenses without public support.

The British Rugby Union must realise our difficulty. Moreover, they must realise that old times have changed, and we must change with them, or go out.

The players, the referees, and the spectators all agree that the amendments as played by Auckland has made the game more open, faster, cleaner, and brighter m every Avay.

There is undoubtedly a great season ahead; and uoav that France, America, and South Africa are coming in the field of international Riigby, Aye can see that, apart from the great and thrilling contests that interchange of representative teams would achieve, there is a greater significance in such visits, viz., that understanding of each other tha,t comes from meeting in friendly rivalry; and since the Anglo-Saxons have been entrusted again with the destinies of mankind, Rugby should prove a potent means of cementing the various units into one great harmonious Avhole.