FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 105, 28 January 1920, Page 7

FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND AW TEE EUGBY . RULES. ■- Sydney, January 27. Mr. . Claude Gorbett, ■ football critic, oommentinir on what ho terms tho New Zealand Rugby Union's belated adoption of the now regulations, strongly supports tho attempt to put new life in the grand old game, but points out that it is still necessary to obtain tho sanction of England. South Airier), nm) France to ttieso rules, which means a long delay, even it the sanction is forthcoming. He doubts whether the Eiurby Union, irate tho new regulations, which are only a colourable adaptation of the Leagu'o'.game, will bo able to. recover the players hist to tho League while the union slept Jicier- , rine to the fact that the English Leojuo and Now Zealand Union teams will be playing in Australia at tho samo tamo, Mr.' Corbett savs that there is.no room for two bodies contending for a big, public patronage together, so that it the union intends to enter the fight toy prestige, it will bo a case of the survival ot the fittest, with tho League fully prepared to accent the cbnlleiige.-Press Assn. ■ NORTHERN UNION'S TOURING TEAM. London, January 2G. , Tho Northern Football Union has so far selected tho following for tho Australian tour:-H. Wagstaff, J. Rogers, D. Clarke, of Huddcrsfiold; E. W. Jones, J. Bowers, of Rochdale Hornets. Jones is tho most brilliant stand-off half-back now playing in England. AVngstaft will captain the team. Tho selectors are havine a most difficult task owing to the nnmher of men nominated. Iheso include sixtv forwards who require much watching, as nover in tho history of the Northern Union have there been so many lirilliant forwards. AV. Batten, the famous Hull three-quarter, was invited to plav in a trial match, but declined, contending that ho ought to have boon chosen outright. Meanwhile a difficulty lias arisen over passages. Tho intention was for tho team to travel by the Orsova. leaving on April 3, but the union Tins now been informed that the Commonwealth has commandeered all.accommodation on the ship. Tho union has been roauestwl to wnit for another boat leaving on April H. The committee is considering tho New South Wales proposal for n world tour, but tho impression is that it is unlikely to accede owine to tho short notice.-Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.