RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 164, 17 August 1914, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

A SPLENDID RECORD. When the New Zealand Rugby team defeated Australia on Saturday by 22 points to 7, it wrote in the history of these New Zealand-Australian visits a page that has only two predecessors. It is a page that records a brilliant achievement, for the team has won all the ten matches it has played, and has scored 246 points, while 50 points have been scored against it. Twice before have New Zealand teams made all-tri-umphal tours of Australia —or, rather, of the Rugby-playing portions of the island continent. The 1884 team, led by W. V. Millton, won all of the eight matches it played, and scored 167 points to 17. In those days, be it remembered, a try equalled two points. The second New Zealand team that won all of its matches in Australia was that of 1903, whieh, in ten matches, scored 276 points, and had 13 scored_ against it. The 1903 team, of which J. jjuncan was captain, was one of the finest teams New Zealand has ever put in the field. The results of the matches played by the 1914 team in Australia are as follow: —

Against New South Wales, won, 27—6. . Against Western Districts, won, 59—10. Against Australia, won, s—o.5 —0. Against Northern Districts, won, 35—6. Against Queensland, won, 26 —5. Against Queensland, won, 19 —0. Against Australia, won, 17 —0. Against Sydney Metropolitan team, won, 11 —6. Against New South Wales, won, 25—10. Against Australia, won, 22—7.

A BLOT ON THE 'SCUTCHEON. There is, however, one displeasing feature of the New Zealanders' tour. They have been censured by Australian critics for making use of unfair tactics in several of their matches. Those people who are personally acquainted with the members of the team are assured that only a few of the men have bean guilty of unsportsmanlike play. But the misdeeds of a few are apt to besmirch the reputation, of the whole team, and; to stain the glory of New Zealand Rugby. It is, indeed, a.pity that the nianager of the team did not take steps to check these illegalities after the first match. The next time a New Zealand team is selected, the management committee of the N.Z.R.U. and the selectors should see that no players are chosen who are. likely ;to bring the honour of the Dominion's Rugby into disrepute.

CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND. In view of the fact that it was prophesied in these columns last Friday, that Auckland's representatives would j?eat the Canterbury touring team, and the calibre of the teams was discussed at some length, there is no need for inore than a passing reference now to the match. Judging by the Press Association report, the Canterbury men were defending for'the greater part of the game. ' . It was rather surprising to find that the two "lock" forwards who were included in the. Canterbury touring team were played against Auckland. Apparently the manager and captain consider that Fanning is a better "lock" than Jordan, but they also included the latter in the pack in order to give him his only-chance of playing in the tour, for Jordan has been recalled to Christchurch for military duty—he was to leave Auckland last evening. If that was' the reason-for "playing both Jordan and Fanning, it would have been, better to leave out Fanning, putting Jordan in to hold the pack, and giving E. Cuhnuings a gftme. E. Cummings is not a "finished" player, but a forward of his stamp would have been useful against the Aucklanders. THE TARANAKI MATCH.

For one reason, Mr S. F. Wilson, who is managing the Canterbury team's tour,: may not be altogether sorry that Auckland beat the red and blacks. Before leaving Christchurch, Mr Wilson expressed an opinion that a win for Auckland might prove useful to Canterbury for the Eanfurly Shield match next Thursday, as it might cause the Taranaki fifteen to under-rate the calibre of the Canterbury men. In late years Taranaki teams have been inclined to under-value the prowess of some of their opponents, and, partly for this reason, they have earned a reputation for inconsistent playing. But against that it should be remembered that Taranaki fifteens arc always v&r> hard to beat, and they have a knack of "pulling out of the tire" games that are spelling defeat for them. Auckland and Wellington teams, who they meet every year, will tell you that Taranaki is the hardest team in New

nearest approach to this is the Imin 55-Jsec of E. C. Bredin in 1893. When one remembers that 2min was not beaten for the first sixteen years of the championships it will be seen what an improvement has been made at the distance." "W.L.S.", of the "Athletic News," wrote that in its way, Homer Baker's half-mile was one Qf the fea:. tures of' the second day. "He was pitted against some of the best runners we have ever had over the distance, among them A. G. Hill (formerly four miles, champion, but after many years a very fine half-miler), R. E. Atkinson (anything but a free finisher, but a dour, determined runner, as he showed in the Inter-'Varsity as well as in this event), but he beat them by superior pace and stamina after shoving the finest judgment. He simply waited for the psychological moment and made the; most of it.' ;

C. S. THOMAS'S DOINGS. Writing from "London, C. S. Thomas, the well-known Christchurch amateur half-miler, says:—"l have finished' running uow, and these are formances in England—Crewe, fourth, race won in Imin 57see, I was running inside 2min. Scottish Championships, fourth, in 2min Gsec. I collapsed with a ten yards' lead in the straight. Sun : ningdale, won in 2min Isec. Amateur Athletic Championships, third in heat, which was won in Imin 58 4-ssec. I ran Imin 59 ;}-ssec, and won a standard medal. The race was run in pour-: ing rain, which was no good to 'Horatius.' Never got quite acclimatised, but they are hot stuff here —too good for me."

Zealand to boat, whether in the "butter province," or out of it. WELLINGTON'S SEASON. Thus speaks the Wellington "Evening Post", of Saturday last: —"The action of the Rugby Union Committee in deciding to close the Rugby competitions, bracketing Athletic, ami Wellington for senior championship honours, will be viewed with unqualified approval both by players and public. Players from each of the two leading teams—as from all of the clubs, in fact —had sprung to the fore when the call came for men for the Expeditionary Force, and with the ranks of each team so sadly depleted, it, became obvious that their meeting would not furnish a true trial of strength, and the Union accordingly recognised the expediency, and even necessity, of at once bringing the competition to a satisfactory conclusion. It is peace with honour; each has striven creditably to lead in the race, and,under the circumstances the termination must be mutually satisfaetorv. '"'From the playing standpoint the season has been satisfactory; there have been no brilliant exhibitions, but the standard of play has always been good, excepting of course those happily infrequent occasions when : players seem to have a 'day off,' and play sinks to the very depths of dullness. On the whole, play has been clean; at times it has •been 'willing,' but there have been no dirty tactics, none of the viciousness that so disfigures a game. .In this there is.eause for much congratulation. Tc keep a game in good repute is one way of retaining the support of the public, who will not desert a thing simply because it does not give them something new every tinie. While the public does not desire to be particularly thrilled or surprised every Saturday, however, it does expect to be interested, even mildly, and this is where inter-club Rugby often fails. The men are the same as of old, w ; ith the same physical attributes, the speed, the strength, and the .skill in execution, but they suffer a paucity .of ideas, or else it is that traditional methods, which are so distinguished by nothing so much as their sameness, hamper them like a cumbrous cloak. It is this fear of departing, "from the trodden path that keeps many a player from giving of his best. The remedy lies in individual initiative, and systematic coaching from men who know and understand the game. Given' these things much may be done to brighten local Rugby, and push further into the background the bogey of ' decadence', that is conjured up by overactive imaginations."

THE LITTLE RIVER MATCH. Although the Canterbury B team beat the Peninsula sub-union's representatives by 27 points to nil, at Little River last Saturday,' it gave .but; exposition of Rugby. The winners had little combination, and only now and again did they show any real dash. Most of thl&r scoring was the result of individual effort. Both the backs and the forwards " worked inharmoniously, and very few of them played* up to their form in club football. -Eroni: this, and the score,-it would seem that the Pen : insula men played very poor football. That, howpver, was not the ease; The score Avas not a true indication of-the respective merits of the teams, on the afternoon's play—far from .it. Peninsular had a good set of forwards, who grafted really well,. but laqked knowledge of the finer points of the game. A little scoring ability in the blues' pack would have made a big difference in the play. But the principal factor in Peninsula's defeat was the weakness of its back division.

The sub-union was unfortunate, for only one of the half-dozen or so of Akaroa and other coastal.club players who had been selected to play made an appearance. Consequently the team was virtually a Little River one. Of the sixteen men who had been chosen by tfre C.R.tJ. selectors for the trip, three were absent —L. H. Parson (who has joined the Expeditionary Force), Ward and Sapsford. . Laniberg (Albion's little half-back) and Empson (Linwood) made up the fifteen. The game was played in line weather, and on a good ground. The Canterbury B team's first score was a goal from a mark, kicked"by Henry. Soon afterward, a red-aud-black forward rush swept over Karetai, the Peninsula's full-back, and Simpson scored an easy try near the posts, but W. P. Guiney failed to convert it. .Livening up, the country forwards made several good onslaughts. Mulling by the visiting backs let the Country vanguard well into the Canterbury B team's twenty-five, but the country players were "not skilful e'uoxigh to score. A good dash by Hutchings, who was playing wing-forward ;for the "B's," shifted the play, and-a little later W. P. Guiney made a solo effort that gave him a try, the country backs' efforts to stop him being very futile. Sandman converted, imaking the score 11—0. Fahey led a good rush by the blue forwards, who got to within a few yards of the Canterbury goal : line, but seemed to lose their dash at the crucial moment. Another attack by the Peninsula forwards just missed success, V. Joblin, their wing-forward being held up on the goal-line. For the rest of the spell the play was scrambly. SLOW AND UNCERTAIN FIELDING. There was very poor play in the early portion of the second spell, both sides making frequent mistakes. Slow and uncertain fiol<!'uig by the "B". backs allowed Peninsula to attack strongly, but again the country players failed to turn their opportunities to account. The play drifted to the other v end of the field, where the ball was sent out to the red-and-black backs, and O 'Mailey scored between the goal-posts, Sandman converting. Peninsula attacked again, and the defending backs missed the ball badly. The blue forwards got the ball out to their rearguard, but the country backs were too uncertain in their handling and running to take advantage of a fine scoring chance. Canterbury B moved up the field and Simmers broke through, but a try went astray through his not passing to the right -man at the right time. However, the "B" forwards pressed, and presently Simpson scored, W. Guiney converting the try. Peninsula came back to the attack with a good forward rush, and Ferguson almost scored. But in a couple of moments the ball went out to the red-and-black backs, in their own twenty-five, and again the country backs made but a poor effort to stop the movement. Simmers passed to W. Guiney, who put'in a good dash before passing to O 'Mailey," and O 'Mailey scored an unconverted try. Another dash by O'Mailey, a pass to Harvey, and -the latter scored the last try of the game.