RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 17, 19 July 1924, Page 18

RUGBY

itY "OROPKICK")

Wellington's' representative .fixtures are. as follow: —;fl .'■■". ' ' ' August SO—v.'. Taranaki; "at Wellington.August 27—v. Nelson, at Wellington.. September o—v. Auckland, at Wellington. Sepieraner IS^-v.. Marlborough.- at-^ellington. .September 13— v>. Otago, at Dunedin. septoraber 17—v. Southland, at InvercargiU. September 20ttV. King Country, at Wellinßton. September .20—y. Canterbuo",- at. Christcburcb.

■ The cables told this week of how Borg, when shaking Hands'with- "Boy" Chariton'afte'r' the latter's :wiri' in the >' first semi-final of :.-!a> swimming.,event at j the Olympic Games,/winked eignincantj ly; and the news came subsequently that I. Charlton won the final decisively. There ' -was' nothing to . suggest that the . All Blacks winked in accepting defeat .; against New South Wales in the first Test in Sydney, but in the subsequent Tests they -turned the tables in a most decisive ' manner. ' "What, then, -were they doing in the first Test? General :■■■ opinion- 'is thatl, they .were fairly and squarely beaten by ..a'better team ontbo day"/' but :while' their ' many supporters , way have • been _ disheartened over the result there' was' one Australian with .a twinkle in his "eye, one 'Arthur- Mailey, well-known''cricketer- and cartoonist, who lost: no time :in giving in sketch form his impressions of the' Air Blacks' performance." "'With'illustrations,' he gave them as"'fpllDw.:—-The -fact /that. ,the- All Blacks were practically strangers to one another was put down as the reason for their defeat against New South Wales. Introductions probably-caused the little delay before, the match—"Who's that chap with, his hair parted in the middle, Cooks?-'-- "Oh, that's Porter; quite adecani bird." Captain and" full-back become" ' acquainte d—' 'Glad to ■ 'meet you, Mr.' .Richardson.". ■-„■ "Thanks, Jlr. NTepia.;" .• . . Familiarity--breeds; contempt; so, when" the 'All' Blacks know eafch "other better,' there1, is 'sure: to .be heapsof'contempt—for the other fellow. "Now.that we know each other,rit is a ehame" to "think' how we will treat him . next' time" is'the-way in which Arthur Mailey depicted All Black opinion of N6w. South "'Wales'after the' first Test. Tire predi r ctiorj.''-was i f-alfilled,-'tri6ughriot to 'the -letter, as' contempt -did not enter into' tKs" "matter. "The 'All Blacks" had learned a lesson; and they profited by it, running out winners in the second and third Tests by 21 points' to s'afid 38 points' to 8 respectively.;■ Such hollow . victories,- after -an initial- defeat, make the outlook for the big tour decidedly promising. The team has now found its feet,, and :- discovered "most of the weaknesses.' .'Thelatter have been sug- . ge'sted" by'/the'writer on'.'inore'than' one occasion, and they were borne out by the comment upon the first Test, which came to Band this week. ■ Mill was not ;he. half-back' that the New Zealand seJectons made/him out to be, and his failure to do justice to an all-important, position .was one ,bf the main' reasons giveiti for defeat in; the J,firsf;Test;-.-"Tp , tne-writer, and to many competent foot-' ball judges, the failure of Mill was not surprising. The two best half-backs that New Zealand can put in the field are still m the Dominion, among.the unelect. Dalley, who is practically a recruit to the position, has done so wel) m. the second and third Tests that it makes .one wonder'what would have happened had1 Wright-or H. 'E. -Nicholls been behind the N,ew' Zealand' pack. The commente upon the play and players refer to Badeley as, being disappointing , is it any wonder, when the play of the man m front of him was far below standard? : In-a letter to the writer a New Zealander who witnessed the game; in bydney, points out; that Badeley . was badly handicapped by Mill's'^play,' an 3 wnen the ball did como.to the New Zea land captain he,had no cliaiice whatever of getting rid of it. . Nepia's play is described as spectacular, though not Uie^play of a, sound full-back. Much of Nepia s • unorthodox. play will need lo be dropped overboard on the voyage to England if the New Zealand "full-back-is to .keep his end up in the morn important matches.- The matches in .bydney. also point to the fact that Ecrnmmaging will need .attention ■ The preliminary tour to Sydney hag given other lessons, and these will engage attention before, the team steps out at Home.- Perhaps-the best news of all injegard to the Sydney tour is that relating to Porter. He was put to a ver v, severe test, and he came through it with the_ highest honours. One other point which may be made about the performances m Sydney is that Wellington's three -■ representatives were amono-' the most outstanding players, and this supports the belief that Wellington was not. generously./-treated .when' the claims of its players--■'■were;under- consideration. In spite of-the "sweeping-victories in'the second and third Tests in Sydney tho New Zealand team is not the strongest possible. Of its prospects, however there is no need for pessimism. Their chances.of. big : tln"ngs on the far-away fields are good, and most of their aames will ;bo won by big1 .margins. But one thing always to be kept in mind is that the hardest/matches will probably be tovards the end of the tour - '

-By.wrmmig the second and third Tests agamst New South 'Wales,--the "Ashes" are .retained by:-New Zealand.' .' New South Wales-;,were'.unfortunate in losin" Hie- services "of,twor. fine, players,'.Shee.lian .and Walker, for tho .final. Teat, and that loss-may account in no small mea.

TWO TESTS TO ONE

ALL BLACKS STRIKE FORM

IMPROVED OUTLOOK FOR ENGLISH TOUR

sure for the heavy defeat. It is doubtful, however, whether the actual result of the match, would have been different with Sheehan and Walker in the home team. ... : ■}.

Comment by "The Cynic" is made in the Sydney "Referee,1"' as follows: — "The seven pack and^the wing-forward - method of scrummaging adhered to by New Zealand worked all right on Satur.day (first Test). But. it might pay them to give serious consideration to the three-two-three pack,, against "which they, will have to play ih the Old Land. It is, however, worthy of remark that . the bald-pated C. G.. Porter, who winged away on Saturday, is more like a real half-back than the. wing-forwards of other days. To 'sum up .the team on Saturday's form would be idle. They strike one as • likely to improve vastly in all-round form after they have been together a few matches and ' burnished their combination. The' New South Wales team are more ■ proficient in concerted attack than they were, twenty years ago,, the- movements back and forward being more finished.. The laws of' the game to-day do not tend to stiffen defence'to the degree noted years ago, when'the men could kick out on the■ full from any position. This, and the fiveyards • throw-out from. touch, tends to quicken the game and to weaken defensive methods once worked for all'they were worth by astute captains. The eon-' sequence is that scores are more frn- ; quent than they used to be, not necessarily because defence has weakened, but because the ball is kept moving moi'o continuously, and ' the opportuni- ; ties for goal-line roads against an attenuated defence are more frequent. "The present All Blacks will be faced .wherever they travel-by the fascinating reputation and colossal record built up ■by. their- illustrious predecessors to the Old Country. They must not be- hurt by comparisons to their detriment, for ■■the'l9os. team-was a world's team. Their :footba.ll will be iwatched as closely in ; 'the Rugby centres of Australia .as in their own Dominion. ■ They will carry the-heartiest good wishes of a very w,ido ■ .section of Australian sportsmen, who appreciate- ■'■ the inspiring influence New Zealanders have had in lifting Rugby Union football right through the world into a piano iv popularity and eminence among the skilled iv British games hardly realised as possible prior to 1905. -For that reason, we hope' the members of the team, one and all, man■ager, captain and selectors, and every player, will get.together while on the ocean wave, with the common objective of building iip a combination1 and team spirit unsurpassed by the greatest New Zealand teams of the past. If they do so, they will.add to the renown of these Dominions, of the Southern Seas as exponents of the great old game of Rugby ' Union football." - : ;-; ALL BLACKS v. AUCKLAND. _ The , next engagement of the All Blacks will be with the Auckland representatives, the match being.set down for Wednesday next at Eden Park. They .will then come South but the Wellington public will not have the pleasure of see- • ing them in action, unless, of course, they like to take a run up to .Palmerston North next Saturday. The: All. Blacks are,to play a combined Manawatu-Horo-whenua team at Palmerston next Saturday, and that will be their final match ■ before/leaving for England. . The "Wellington public, for. what it has done fur tho game, was worthy of better 'consideration. But the matter is settled now i —-Wellington will not see the team i;i ac- | tion,; not even when it returns, as by j that time football w£l be quite out, of I the question. Tho Auckland selector, '-! Mr. V. R. Meredith, made his choice of | players in good time. , Northern. cpin- ! ion is that he has evidently kept in mind -i i the fact that they will have a very her.vy ■task in holding their own against tho | strong forward combination of the New ! Zealand team, and lie has picked sound j solid forwards, with' backs who should Ibe able to work up good combination before talcing, the field next Wednesday. But the back combination will not be that which showed such brilliant form ■ last season. Cooke and Lucas are with • the New Zealand team, and C. Badeley, ' who has been on the bank through injury last year, is also an All Black this year. Thus, a big slice is taken out of the Auckland rearguard, but over anil above that the real pivot of the team, Vie. Badeley, is not available. He was seriously injured in tho first of the trials for the All Black section, and since then he has been in hospital, and moro than once his condition has been dangerous. Tho discovery: was mnde recently that his progress towards recovery bad been delayed owing to a depression aiid possible fracture of the skull, and it is now hoped that the removal of the obstruction will result in Vie. BadeJey haying a speedy and complete recovery. One surprise of the selection of the Auckland team is the inclusion of L. .| M'Lean (whom, maay expected to soo among the chosen Air Blacks) as a wing-three-quarter. For Grammar Old Boys' this year he has been tried' as a forward, outside five-eighth, and. full-back. The latest position in which he has been placed by such a fine judge as Mr. V; Meredith lends fnrther support, to. the belief that he' would have been- valuable to tho All Bkoka -«b .a'- utility man, Cn tlvj saurdi hit a back to "ploy in tfie inside j

position to Ifwerson, the selector has found Lolt (Marist), who, after only failform as a wing-three-quarter, came out last Saturday as an excellent inside fiveeighth. Wright was, of course, the halfback that everyone expected to see selected. The forwards are weighty and solid, and may take a lot of beating. PLAY AND PLAYERS. It was unfortunate that an ill-wind blew on 'Varsity's first appearance on 'Athletic Park since playing in an early game at the outset of the season. It was about the worst wind this year, and practically made good football impossible. Neither side achieved the imi possible; and the unexpected, which I sometimes happens in the caee of 'Varsity, did not eventuate this time. lt> was a poor gale.

■ On the side of Petorie there were several fine passing rushes, and the Blues certainly handled the ball with more accuracy. ' Hawkins again demonstrated that he can be a good wing three-quarter, and had hard luck in not. scoring a try in the second twenty.

' H. E. Nicholla showed fine judgment again and agaiu against 'Varsity, and still makes one wonder why- lie did not man to take with, one arm.

The Petone forwards beat 'Varsity. Reid and Thomas were the most conspicuous iv the suburban pack.

'Varsity -were not 'on their game against Petone. Several movements started well, bnt M'Kay at centre threequarter, was seldom able—oil account of the wind—to synchronise his liighspeed tactics with an accurate reception of his pass. The tactics are good, but the passing must be good too, for a man to take with on arm.

'Varsity's only try was marred by an unfortunate incident. Malfroy, getting the ball at the end of a first stage of passing, found himself perilously near the touch line. He passed the ball in again, arid himself was forced into touch. The line umpire raised his flag for Taall out of. play, but all who saw the incident will agree that Malfroy had parted with the ball before lie stepped inta touch. Play went on, and ' Britland scored, several Petone players standing at ease for a line-out. The referee, Mr. Kitto, overruled the line umpire quite rightly in the writer's opinion, and granted the tiy. Still, it was not quite satisfactory for 'Varsity.

The time bell at Athletic Park, is gaining notoriety. It Tang again in' the Petone- Varsity match five minutes before time, and both sides changed. Somebody had inadvertently kicked the bell.

'Heavy and drenching rain fell on Saturday afternoon all the time that the game between Berhampore and Hutt was being decided, and this, of course, was in no way conducive to good football. The final scores, 11 points to 8, in favour of Berhampore, are ml no way an accurate indication of the- respective merits of the two teams; as a matter of fact, Hutt played a winning game, and are to be considered unlucky in not securing the honours. •Berhampore were aggressive, but their work was in. very little measure superior to that of the suburban combination. Ore a dry ground the; match would have been much more interesting from the spectators' point of view than actually was the case, though Saturday's game at the samo time was productive of some sparkling rallies. Among the pieces of good fortune for which Berhampore. have .to be thankful is that in Walters they have one of the best full-backs available locally. la (.lie game against Hutt he was on his best:form, and it was orr several occasioiw due to his good individual efforts m the way of defence that Hutt were prevented from scoring more points than those which actually stood to their credit at the call of time. He takes the ball well, and having it'firmly in his grasp does not blindly kick, but«takes stock of the situation, looking for the best position on the field to place the leather. >«iving decided, the actual mechanical work of the kick is performed with surprising accuracy. "All this, and more, lie does-within the space of seconds, and when the occasion arises, he can collar a last-moving back, or go down to a- forward, rush with equal comfort. Though not of the spectacular Nepia type, liis work is always sound and reliable, and nis ettorts are alwaya appreciated, both by the players and the people on the

+ f l^ j^t of the §ame between Oriental and Mansfc was somewhat of a surprise, especially to those who were spectators at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. A high wind was sweeping across the ground, or more correctly from corner to corner, but even with this advantage Oriental more than held their own in the first spell. Driven back as they were, largely as a result of the wind, their defence was sound, particularly that of King and Juno. Chambers at, half, small as. he is, came through'the game with'a great deal of credit. Oriental s dash in the second spell seemed to hare evaporated as a result of their hard work against the wind in the first spell, and though a score was registered the side never secured command "of the game. Manst, on the other hand, wero always dangerous. In the first spell they were very near to scoring on a number of occasions, and only somo little thing stopped them from putting up a bigger score. M'Cleary was the- most prominent, and pul, in a lot of excellent work, both, iv attack and defence, while each of tho forwards was-a "livo wire" especially in the loose play, where they ran all _over the Oriental pack. Despite the bad conditions and a team below usual.strength, Poneke gave a creditable exhibition against Old Boys. They threw the ball about at every opportunity, and on several occasions the whole team combined in passing rushes. Hickey, in particular, lost no time in re-starting an attack once lie had been held up on the line. This' player's kicking and defensive play generally were an improvement on the standard previously shown. F. Tilyard and Jessep both adopted a game suitable to the day—passing instead o£ kicking. _ Jessep, who is new to the team, might give more attention to the matter of letting the ball out. H. Tilyard, on the wing, must "have noticed tho keenness of the gale, judging by the spiritless nature of his play. Poneke's_ forwards were, with one or two exceptions, extremely' energetic, and showed no hesitation i'u indulging in hamUto-harid passing. The one'or two exemptions -apparently considered that the vigour of the rest of the pack warranted their having a "day off." It was unusual to . iind Slater "off-colour. .S-. Shearer and Fisher were easily the pick of the "'forwards.'

Hard-working enough in the tight, Old Boys' forwards were otherwise outclassed; they displayed little "head" work. It. was somewhat surprising to see tho lack of initiative amongst both backs and forwards. The team lias given -flif licttr-f 'digpltiyis. ■'■Ituti Ui.cv bonif depcived of Mukuliu's iuvaluublo ser.

v^ces and <>f a certain amount of gcocT I fortune that undoubtedly accompanied uhom Poneke's scoring tally would have been much higher. Bedell and -Laifc were the outstanding performers of the game. Their defence was very sound; but both lost several excellent opportunities on attack. Mansfield and laylor were erratic, and it was not due to them that Tait managed to secure the excellent try that he did. All the White forwards battled gamely, but unaccountably kept the play tight. Barclay and.' Milien displayed untiring energy amli' splendid tackling. ' ". '■ Sehvyn were compelled to draw ixuf4 ther upon their juniors for the en^gs-'i nient with "Wellington, and in conse-; quence the junior team had to default.; -Those juniors who did assist the seniors; put up a creditable performance, and the play of the team as a whole was not i eleven points below that of Wellington, who were also not at full strength. A notable absentee from Wellington was Ambler.

Some of the leading teams will undergo changes for the second round owing to players not being available. Petone will have to find a substitute for H. E. JSicholls, who has finished for this season. Rogers or "Doc" Nicholls may be found behind the Petone serum. Oriental will be without Juno, who also played his last game last Saturday.

WELLINGTON y. WAIRABAPA.

■Matches between the Wellington and Wairarapa representatives' are closo on the half -century mark, the game played at Garterton this week being the forty-, ninth in which the senior representatives of the two districts have engaged. Wairarapa's portion of success has been small, the win on Wednesday .being the eleventh. Wellington have won 34 games, and four matches have been drawn. Points scored total 883—Wellington 594, Wairarapa 289. Last year the meeting of the teams resulted in a pointless draw. Results of matches between Wairarapa and Wellington are as tollow:— .

?<?£?' „ Placo- Won by- Score. ! J.BBU—Greytown—Wellington lg., 3t—o Is> ip-o 1884-Wellington-Wellington .7. lg.-O 1886—Wellington—Wellington ... 6—o 1886—Greytown—Wairarapa .... 4—2 1887—Wellington— Wellington ' ... s—o 1887—G-rey town—Wairarapa s—o 1888—Wellington—Wellington ... 9—2 1883—Gi-eytowti—Wairarapa ... 5 3 1889—Wellington—Wellington ... 11—10 1890—Wellington—Wellington ...,13—4 1892— Masterton—Wellington '20—4 1894^-Wellington—Wellington ... 11—3 IB9s—Masterton—Wairarapa " .. . B—o 1896—Wellington—Wellington ... 16—3 '1897—Masterton—Wairarapa .... 3—o 1898—Wellington—Wellington ... 5-^0 1899—Masterton—Wellington. .. 10—6 1899—Wellington—Wellington ... 17—6 1900— Wellington—Wellington ... 11—6 1900—Masterton—Wellington ... 17—13 1901—Wellington—Wellington ... 14—8 1901—Cai'terton—Drawn 9 9 1902—Carterton—Wellington ■ . 6—3 1902—Wellington-Wellington ... 5-0 1903—Wellington—Wellington .. 18—11 1903—Cartei-toii^—Wairarapa .... B—3 1904—Wellington—Wellington ... 22—9 1904— Carterton—Wairarapa B—s 1905—Wellington—Drawn 3—3 1905—Carterton—Wellington ... 13—11 1906—Wellington—Wellington ... 62—9 1907—Wellington—Wellington ... 13—3 1907—Masterton—Drawn 3—3 1908—Wellington—-Wellington ' : ... 30—0 1909—Carterton—Wellington ... 15—11 1912—Carterton—Wellington . 17—8 1913—Wellington—Wellington 14—11 1913—Masterton—Wellington .... 21—3 1914-,Carterton—Wellington 3—o" 1915—Carterton—Wairarapa ... 24 11 1917—Carterton—Wairarapa .... • B—3 1917—Wellington—Wellington .... 39—3 1918—Carterton—Wairarapa ... 19—5 1918—Wellington—Wellington .... 33—3 1920—Masterton—Wellington ■ 24—3 1920—Wellington—Wellington 28—11 1923—Wellington—Drawn o—o 1924—Carterton—Wairarapa 18—9 .."STRIKE" DECLARED OFF. j The. "strike" of the North Taranaki | referees dia not last very long. It did not affect the interclub games, as the referees agreed to act, pending a satisfactory , settlement of the grievances against the Taranaki Rugby Union regarding the punishment of offending Players and the protection of referees officiating at matches. This decision was matte at a meeting of the Northern Division of the Taranaki Referees' Association held during last week. There was an attendance of 24 members at the meeting, over which Mr. T.. Petty presided. A letter from the Rugby Onion stating that the union should be approached through th© Taranaki Referees' Association was read.

The chairman said that according to the Rugby Union they had made a blunder in going direct to the union instead of through the Taranaki Association, lhat might be so, but the action had been taken so that the difficulties min-ht be overcome quickly. Had the protest been sent through the association, the union would not have had the op^ portunity of acting at Huwcra, and there would have been no referees for Saturday. Mr. G. Hopkins said that there was a precedent for sending their protest through as they did. Mr. ,J. M'Leod (president of f,ho Rugby Union) had given the northern division of the Kelorees' Association a conference, and at that timo the Taranaki Referees' Association was in existence. If the precedent could stand, then they had one. He would like to know if 'Mr. M'Leod could show him anything in the constitution of the union or the association stating that all action should be taken through the association.. Ho thought Air: M Leod was only quibbling. After further discussion, Mr. L. Goodacre moved:—"That in view of the iaranaki Rugby Union establishing a precedent cm 7th August, 1919, in meeting the division in conference and considering our complaints as a division we are quite in order in putting the present complain from this division through the union direct; and in view of the Taranaki Union agreeing at their meeting at Haweva on 2nd July to meet this division in conference, we are prepared to continue with the games-this Saturday; also that an assurance'must be received at an early date, tlmt tlie conference will bo hold at the earliest." There was an amendment: "That in view of our _. delegate, to the Taranaki Union Laving assured us that it is the avowed intention oE the Management Committee to give our referees adequate support in the future, we agree to act as referees as previously." Finally, the motion was carried.

A telegram supporting the division in its stand was received from the Rangitikei Association. Tlia message stated: '"We are with you absolutely: stand firm and united; you are acting best interests football. (Signed) A. Sims president Uangitikei ■Referees' Association.'1 It w,m dn,)id«rl tv weiuj'a, laUiii" of, thniikn acliuowJedjjirjJS the suup^irt,

■f..:-n ;,:>; TABLE. '•'■■■ Matches. Point3. Champ. .; P. W. - L. Dn. For Ag'st Pta. Petone". .....;.....;..... 10 9 ■— 1 112 45 19 Oriental 10 7 3 — 117 81 14 Poneke 10 6 3 , 1 98 60 13 Athletic ......;. .; 10 6 4 — 126' 91 12 Berhampore -;...... 10 ■ 5 3 2 71' 52 12 Maa-ist ;....................•:.r. 10 6 4 -y, 77 57 12 Wellington V...... .../........ 10 5 5 — 97 98 10 ,'Viirsity 10 4 6 — 100 112 8 ■Old Boys-."...■ ..: 10 2 S — 57 103 4/ Hiitt ;... .10 2 8 — 65 113 4 Selwyn . ,..-.. 10. .10 — 30 138 2