FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17127, 23 April 1921, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

THIS AFTERNOON'S RUGBY MATCHES. A large attendance is anticipated at Lancaster Park this afternoon, when Marists will play. Old Boyd on the Oval. The match is expected •to be very fast and evenly fought; and a first-class exhibition of Rugby football should be seen. On the adjoining grounds Merivale will .play Linwood, and 'Varsity meet Albion, fyyth these games will be "interesting to watch, ihe teams in each case, being very even. At the Show Grounds Christchurch will play Sydenham. All matches commence at 3 p.m., and the' gates at Lancaster Pork will be open at 2 p.m. . THE RULES OP THE GAME. . (PRESS ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAM.) N ''WELLINGTON, April-" 22. Mr J. MoLeod, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, in" a letter to unjons, deals with the question of the alteration of the rules. English Rugby Unioji has already assented to a number of.'alterations suggested, but it has so far refused to adopt the new rule regarding a kick'into touch, which has met with great favour, particularly in Auckland l , and which is the most vital .alteration of all. Mr McLeod: says that the League code is strongest in Auckland, and i* is absolutely necessary tO-Jlnd eome way of reconciling the. desire of the union there to improve-the rules. He that an opportunity, "should be ■ given the South African team to see the new rule, in operation, and to prove-' to them its trineio worth. Meanwhile"the New' Zealand' Rugby Union should .give Auckland special permission to play as: they wish,. ana the English Rugby Union should'also he asked to allow Australia and New Zealand to play, the rule, except against countries that have, not adopted 'it.