THE RUGBY CODE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 241, 25 July 1935, Page 7

THE RUGBY CODE

FOOTBALLERS IN REVIEW. TRY-OUT FOR TOURING TEAM. (Byi “Onlooker.”) If the match between the Ashburton Rugby Union’s touring team, and' the Linwood team from Christchurch on Saturday was looked upon as a trial for the touring team, it fulfilled 1 its object. The Ashburton Union greatly appreciated the assistance given by the. combined team which comprised members of most senior clubs in Christchurch. They travelled to Ashburton at short notice to give the local men a try-out. One could hardly expect combination from the Ashburton side, but individually it was a good one. The forwards were very effective in their spoiling work and this had the effect in many instances of upsetting what might have been good efforts by the inside backs on the Christchurch side. In this respect the referee gave a good deal of latitude. From a spectators’ point of view, the game was, with a few exceptions, not spectacular. The Ashburton side was disorganised to some extent by the absence of Bradford (second fiveeighth) and Lilley on the wing. The set scrums lacked cohesion, and it appeared that the trouble was with the lock. Forwards’ Splendid Game. In the first spell. Young (Methven) was the hooker and Ashburton received little of the ball from set scrums. When he was replaced by McKenzie in the second half, the reverse was the case. The forwards without exception played a splendid game, and as it is they who will bear the brunt of the tour, the team should' certainly reach the high standard of former County sides. It would appear that K. Doig along with Dolan would make this a more solid scrum, and with a hooker of McKenzie’s ability the touring team should get a fair share of the ball. It is pleasing to note that the fullback, S. W. Kerr, did all that was required of him in his first big game. His safe handling and line-kicking was almost unexpected from such a young player and he has a good future ahead of him.

Of the three-quarters, J. Varcoe was the only one that displayed any penetration. With straight running, safe handling and a good defence he was the best back on the ground. It must be admitted in fairness to them that the two wings were always crowded on the line.

T. Cates, who replaced A. Bradford, is more or less a solo player. However, he commenced 1 many fine movements. He is too inclined to run to the side-line, passing to men in worse positions than himself and will persist with the stab-kick.

Half-back’s Passes Slow. McCormick appeared to have a day off—an unusual thing for him. In the first place he stood too far away from the half-back and was standing flat- * footed when getting the ball from the scrum. This was partly due to the half-back’s passes being too slow for the breakaway Christchurch forwards, who were frequently on "top of McCormick when he received the ball. Day, at half-back, with the exception of his slow' passing, which can easily be rectified, wall be a tower of strength to the team. His good gen eralship was much in evidence on Saturday. With the match against Kaikoura, the team should work up splendid combination and be well fitted! to meet the strong Marlborough and Nelson fifteens. The outstanding forwards on the day 'were Pennal, Pablecheque, and Hawke. Though not so pronounced as formerly, there is still a weakness in line-out play, but in this respect the inclusion of B. Doig, who was unable to play on will effect a vast improvement. The progress of the tour will be followed with keen interest by a large number of people in Ashburton. The team may be relied upon to uphold the honour of the County both on and off the field.

Exchange of Referees. It is interesting to note that an exchange of Rugby referees between Unions was first suggested at the conference of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association held at Blenheim in 1933, and it was Mr J. MacMillan, of Ashburton, who put the suggestion forward!. At that conference the delegates from both South Canterbury and Ashburton spoke in favour of the scheme and it was agreed . that. it should be put into effect at the earliest opportunity. This opportunity came a few' Saturdays ago, when two Ashburton referees officiated in Timaiu and two South Canterbury men took matches in Ash- ! burton. Mr MacMillan, who is president of the Ashburton Referees’ Association, was one of those who officiated in Timaru, and told “Onlooker” that the control of games in Ashburton and Timaru was fairly uniform. He noticed, however, that the scrummage law was perhaps, rather more strictly observed locally. It was his opinion that associations could go further in the matter of exchanges. Mr S. Hollander had mentioned the possibility of regular inter-changes between referees serving the Mackenzie sub-Union, the Wo inflate Sub-Union, the South Canterbury Union and the Ashburton Union, this group providing a suitable territory. The exchange system seems to offer the possibility of more uniformity on the practical side, whereas the annual conferences of the New Zealand Association of necessity thrash out the •interpretations of rulings more on the theoretical side. It is not known whether; the scheme has been tried out in ary other part

of the Dominion, but at least the ball has been set rolling in Canterbury. Mr A. H. Clemens, of Timaru (president of the New Zealand Association) lias always been a keen supporter and much of the credit for this initial step is due to him. AH Blacks in Britain.

Five Rugby Union teams from New Zealand have gone through tours in Great Britain. First was the Maori combination of 1888-9, under famous Joe War brick as captain. They played 7-4 matches, winning 49, losing 20, and drawing 5, and scoring 394 points to 188. At that time England had one Rugby camp, the League being a later creation. Next came- the 1906 All Blacks, the first official team, under David Gallaher, as captain, and G. H. Dixon as manager. They won 32 matches and lost one, scoring 368 points to 471. The third was the New Zealand Army team, the King’s Cup winners, under C. Brown, of Taranaki, as captain. They won 32 matches, lost 2 and drew 3, scoring 547 points to 107. The second official team went Home in 1924 under C. G. Porter as captain and Stanley S. Dean as manager. They won all 30 matches played, scoring 721 points to 112. The second Maori team in 1926 was captained by W. Barclay, the Hawke’s Bay three-quarter, with W. T. Parata as manager. They won 22 of their 31, losing 7 and drawing 2, and scored 457 to 194. A Jubilee Gift.

The English Rugby Union commemorated the King’s , jubilee by giving £IOOO to the Jubilee Trust Fund”and £IOO to the National Playing Fields Association.