MR. LANGSFORD'S REVIEW

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 234, 30 September 1908, Page 7

MR. LANGSFORD'S REVIEW

AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE. In reviewing the operations of the past geason, one is forced to the conclusion that, although most successful, there has been undoubtedly too much representative and too little club football, but I Trill leave what few remarks I have to make on this subject until later. CLUB COMPETITIONS. Prior to the commencement of the seagoo, the delegates of the various clubs, in their wisdom, at a special meeting, made two most important changes in the constitution of our union—firstly, the ad- i mittinn- of the University College as a district; and, secondly, the qualification| of junior teams, enabling teams to play I irrespective of their residential qaulitication. That the changes made proved in every way satisfactory there is not the leasf doubt. Tlie University team, which played in the senior grade, although not stroniv enough to win the competition, were responsible for some very bright football, and fully justified their inclusion in that grade. The new departure in reference to junior teams was probably the most important, and was rather a bold step to take; but now the season is over, nothing but good can be said of the innovation. Apart from the fact of seven new teams coming under the wing of the Ru"by Union, the change seemed to put fresh life into the junior competitions, which have for the past few seasons been anjthing but satisfactory, defaults being * frequent. During the past season, however, the competitions have been keen aid interesting to the last matches. It must be remembered also that the teheme did not get altogether a fair trial, as the new conditions were not decided on until the season was almost started. However, I am fully of the opinion that great good will eventually be derived. I With regand to the Cup competitions generally, fair football was shown, but in the senior competition- a great deal of the interest was taken away by the fact of the two leading Teams, Ponsonby and City, being so much stronger than the rest of the competitors. The chances of the remainder of the teams defeating the two named were very remote, and, naturally, the same interest cannot be i taken by teams knowing they have no chance of winning the competition. In this connection I would like to make a suggestion that would probably assist to keep alive the interest of the weaker teams. I would suggest that in future, co soon in the second round as the result of the competition is practically assured to any one team, a further competition be played, the teams to be divided into two grades, A and B, the weaker teams to be placed in the B grade, and the winners of the B grade to receive caps or some other trophies, and the ■winners of the A grade also to receive some recognition in the way of caps, provided such competition is won by a team ' other than the team winning the first senior grade competition. I have not given sufficient! thought to this matter as to whether this would be the best means of carrying out the supplementary competition, but something on the lines stated, I think, would have the effect of putting increased interest into our senior i football. REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL. There is no doubt our representative players have covered themselves with glory, and deserve our warmest congratulations. But have we not had too much representative football? Apart from the severe strain on those who have been training hard for several weeks and playing hard matches on successive Saturdays, is it fair to the rest of our players? I think not. Instead of those players having four tliontris iootWl, all but a chosen *ny good, and if we wish to k e C"T the U ', 1,. »0 ltoCl) tllO Rugby «a.roe in the :fi-ont something will ccrtaJßly have to fae done in the direction of curtailing onr flMltrfe and giving more attention to local football. Another matter which must claim the attention of the powers that be, is the question of travelling. This, at present, is the greatest blot on Rugby football, and, might 1 say, in a great many other Spor_. The ffame, instead of being played as a sport, 5= fast i-.~-.~ying too much of a business. T 0 the travelling teams, it means great loss of time, and to the various unions visited, a great deal of tune is entailed. Visiting teams must be looked after, and every effort made to make their stay in the various towns enjoyable; and to do this, great interference "n one's business must necessarily follow. 1 am heartily in sympathy with the Otago Union in this respect* that union having f or some time past at annual , meetings of the N.Z. Union, made refer- i ence to excessive travelling. It may be said that the Ranfurly . shield is responsible for so many visits to Auckland; if it is so, then the sooner tne shield is relegated to the back cupboard of tlie N.Z. Union the better. But : * hardly think th c shield is responsible «r so much tripping round the Domin- '<"". The idea seems to have got firmly looted that teonv must travel. That the players ao not want it~i7i£.videneed by the extreme difficulty the seiectoi in Auek- j, -Mid has experienced in obtaining iiifficient ffle n to make only short trips to wch places as the Thames, Goldfields, Wairoa, and Waikato. I sincerely hope this matter will receive the earnest con- 1 sideration 0 f all unions in the Dominion. ALTERATION OF RULES. A matter that is claiming the attention of the various unions of the Domhiion, and I might say the whole of thefootbaU public7is the'question of the improvement of the game. The unanimous desire is to make the game more - •E ea > and with that end in view .""xeial

necessary afterations have been suggested. Those by the Auckland Union are too well known to require repetition, and if adopted, should meet all requirements. A special meeting of the N.Z. Rugby Union has been called to deal with the same. One matter that will cause discussion is the payment of players for out-of-pocket expenses when on tour. Personally, I am strongly in fay- , our of reimbursing to a certain extent j a player who is at the loss of his wages I when on tour. It may be argued that jif a player cannot afford to travel and I lose his wages, then he should stay at home. That may be very well as fan as it goes, but there is another side to the question. A player may be a hard working married man, who has always been willing to assist his province, | and he may be one of the finest players in ; his team. Should his circumstances debar him from having a trip? I think not. And further, if we are to send a representative team travelling, let it be a representative team. Is it not only fair to the provinces visited that a thoroughly representative team should be sent? And this question of reimbursing players does not only apply to representative teams on tour. Take the case of one 'or two of our representative players who reside in the country, and one player in particular this season, who was forced to stay in town for some four or five weeks. Is it not right that he should be recompensed in some way for his loss of time? I trust that something will be done. No doubt some opposition will be met from the smaller unions, as they probably will not be in a position to travel and reimburse their players. If for no other reason then, I say this will be a distinct benefit, as it must necesIsarily curtail the travelling of teams. NORTHERN UNION GAME. i A great deal has been said with reference to the Northern Union game, and its effect on our Rugby game. I have no fear whatever that its introduction in Auckland is going to seriously affect our game, if the delegates at the special meeting of the New Zealand Union are alive to their responsibilities, and make the desired alterations in the laws. It has been freely stated that a number of our Rugby players would journey to the Northern Union game, and "the Union is to blame." "What have they done for the players?" and such like expressions are frequently heard. Perhaps it would not be out of place to state what has been done by the Union for the players and clubs during the past season. Firstly, the players, both junior and senior, have the services of a medical officer, if injured; one pound per week is paid so long as a player is incapacitated from work, and all hospital and dental expenses are paid. Secondly, free passes are given to senior players for both ground and stand for all representative matches and free passes for the ground to all junior players. Thirdly, caps to j cup winners in all grades are given. Fourthly, senior teams have had trips provided to Thames, Waihi, Hamilton, and Northern Wairoa, and junior representatives to Waiuku and Thames. Fifthly, it is not genep'a.lly v jk^owin .that the Union practically gives.,.* donation of 30 guineas to each of the clubs every season. Tickets for ground and stand (honorary members), 30 in. number, are given to each club which distributes them amongst its vice-presidents on payment of one guinea. This privilege is fully availed of by the vice-presidents. In addition to the above the players under the Public Schools Rugby Union have also been provided for. The lads were given a trip to Paeroa to meet the Goldfields boys. Caps have also been donated to the winners of the various grades, some three or four teams. I have mentioned a few items above, as I think it only fair that the public should be made acquainted of what is really done for the players. I would also like it clearly understood stood that I do not for one moment suggest that the expressions I have used have been made by players, but by members of the public, who are not in a position or have not made it their duty to find out. what is really done on behalf of tho players. In conclusion, I would like to state that I have the utmo3t confidence in our players, and am sure that when the season 1909 rolls round very few of our prominent men will be found in the ranks of the Northern Union.