FOOTBALL KEENNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 242, 13 October 1925, Page 6

FOOTBALL KEENNESS.

Shrewdness is mingled with good feeling in the comments that the manager of the New South •vValee football team made on his return from New Zealand. 'He was impressed by the "immense grip ,, the game has on the people of New Zealand. With us enthusiasm for the game is "almost fanaticism." Is it necessary to say "almost"? Mr. Baker attributes our success to physical superiority and the will to win. Every New Zealander goes on to the field believing himself to be the custodian of his country's prestige. NewZealand success in Rugby, we believe, can for the most part be accounted for in one word—keennesg. The players are keen and the crowds are keen. Physical fitness is an ideal that is pursued by players more whole-heartedly than ,in any other country. Teams representing the Dominion go on to the field "fighting fit." When there is added to this superb fitness unusual powers of initiative and resource, and a mind eager to learn the finer pointe of the game, the result is a most formidable combination. Mental attitude has something to do with our success. It was partly psychology that beat us in Wales twenty years ago; the effect of that great crowd singing patriotic Welsh airs turned knees to water. The All Blacks of 1924, however, were not to be weakened in that way, and it is easy to understand that victories bring confidence, and confidence wina further victories. This, however, ie a good opportunity to remark that victory is not everything, and to repeat what we said a week ago about the need for purifying the national game. Keenness may be puehed to evil lengths, and what shall it profit us if we beat the world and yet permit foul play ?