FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 148, 9 November 1912, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

The question of secession of the New Zealand Rugby Union from the English Union has again cropped up. and a special meeting of the New Zealand body will be held on November 14. in response to requests from the Canterbury. South Canterbury and Otago Unions. The remits to be considered are from the first of these bodies, and, if carried, will practically bring about secession. Rugby enthusiasts will be interested to hear of the growing popularity of the game in England. Although soccer is still the favorite game throughout the United Kingdom generally, Rugby is attracting more interest, and at the Universities is supplanting the older game. "Old Blue," in the Sportsman, explains it as follows:—"Soccer football implies great skill, science, and all the rest of it, but is there really the same appeal to the skill which attacks and the skill which defends as there is in the 'Rugger' game? Rugby football appeals more to the fighting instinct." It is expected in England that there will be much opposition to the proposal to send a Northern Union team to Aus--tralia next year, and in some quarters 1015 is considered early enough. The financial aspect is not troubling the Home body. They know from experience that success in the monetary sense is assured, but there is a belief that England cannot get together a side that will extend; New.South Wales. ..^,^^J