THE VISITING 'VARSITY TEAM.

NZ Truth, Issue 64, 8 September 1906, Page 5

THE VISITING 'VARSITY TEAM.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— l notice by the Sydney "Re-i feree" of August 22nd that the Syd- , ney University Football team , leaves: there to-morrow for Dunedin, where they are to play three matches on September 8, 10, and 15, the first and third against Otago University) and the second against a team to be arranged ; one at Wellington against Victoria University College and one at Auckland, against the Auckland City Football Club.

May I suggest that for the good name of our football, that the Victoria College team consider the advisability of standing down and allow the Sydney University team to playf one of our stronger clubs, Poneke for* preference. I mention the Poneka team, as, by reports m your paper, I noticed that they had written to the secretary of the club asking for a match, but up to the present have not heard their answer, but, seeing the Sydney team is announced to play V.0., evidently cannot see their way to accept Poneke's offer. My re'a^ sons, and I think they will be supported by a large number of followers of the game here, for wishing the V.C. to stand down- and allow Poneke to play m their place is that they, will have no possible chance of even extending the visitors, who -are among the leading clubs on the othen side^, In case of Otago University it is only right and proper that they should meet the visitors, not only, because they are an exceptionally good team, but because the Sydney team are but repaying the visit paid; by the Otago team last year. I suggest the Poneke (and m doing so am not actuated by any feeling of malice; against the Petone, who are ours '' champions) as I think their forwards, although not perhaps as good as Petone's, being not quite as heavy, are a clever pack and probably equal to those of the visitors. The two back teams being probably of like weight we should have a game which would attract thousands, where if the two Colleges play, the attendance will probably be counted but by hundreds, as only those having the interest of the Victoria College at heart would 1 trouble to go, the bulk of the public regarding the result as a walk . over. ; While admitting that if it. were possible for the Victoria College -to ex-., tend the visitors I should like them to have the match, yet I think the visitors themselves would be betters, pleased to meet opponents more worthy of them. We must look, too, tothe fact that comparisons will bey raised. If Victoria College play Sydney^University and are badly beaten, then it reflects upon our footbaU, : ;£&■«,; putation and our football, mana,.,jis, dimmed- Poneke can at least be> expected to make the visitors go. all thes time- I hold no brief for .Poneke, beyond the fact that as stated 'before they consider they having asked for a match, and being admittedly a clever team should have the match. Were the Sydney University at the top of the competition m their own city then I , would say play Petone against them. The visit is not one for the purpose of playing merely University) teams ; see note about second match' "against a team to be arranged," and then their final match is againsij other than a University team.— Ypurs,, etc. . SPORT.