FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2411, 28 January 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

* THE BRITISH TEAM

'A DELICATE SUBJECT."

Under the heading, “A Delicate Subject,” the “Athletic News,” in a recent issue (remarks: —In recent years the Rugby Union have had many dedicate questions to kliscuss, some of which they would gladly have .never considered at all had their attention not been forced to them by the repeated urgings of insistent folic who are .fond of stirring muddy pools. And,they have now confronting them a subject which that administrative and executive body cannot anticipate with pleasure. It is being freely discussed in Rugby circles, and the members of the Anglo-Welsh teams who went out to New Zealand are expressing their opinion of ,fhb matter in emphatic terms. They are so indignant at what has occurred that by tlie sheer pressure of opinion the Rugby Union Committee must fake action, for more that one international player lias declared that unless the matter is sifted to the bottom the right of the ruling body to deal with oilier players must be seriously cliallehged. It is, however, difficult to say in what manner, or under what printed rule, tho Rugby Union, can show their disapproval of a matter which has provoked so much indignation from men of the touring combination.

Briefly put, tho charges amount to disloyal action. On tho voyage out, .while every other man of the party trained and got into condition for the strenuous games to be played, one man would do nothing o*f the kind, preferring, so it is declared, to bask in the sunsliino and beauty’s smiles. In Now Zealand Iho could never be relied upon to turn out. While other players asked leave on certain occasions, and were sometimes Refused, this man beeqmo a low unto himself without, acquainting the manager of his intentions. In at. least one important match he is said to have left the field of play with the excuse that lie had .sustained personal injury, and never returned, though it was declared. that tho .reason given was an idle pretext. It is no secret that so disgusted was the manager and so incensed wore the rest of the side that friction w r .as rampant, tlu.it the New Zealand Union took definite cognisance of the player’s conduct, and that he returned to England prematurely. The Rugby Union have never been at a loss to make their power felt in

peculiar cases, and it woujej seem'that . m this instance they will have to adopt a special course of action. No such, case, happily for the Rugby game, has over been .brought under their notice, but feeling ,is so acute that members of the committee have boon plainly told by men who went to New Zealand that they will not play in a team if this man be selected for it.. All the facts are in . the possession of the Rugby Committee, and one or two of- its members arc not going to - allow the matter to rest. Tho situation has to bo faced; the question is, What avill the Rugby Union do 7