LEAGUE FOOTBALL REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 133, 8 June 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL REVIEW.

TRANSFER CONTROVERSY.

ADA M ANTIX K LK(. IS LATOIIS

(W ".MAC.")

The applications for trausteis lor L. Brown and B. Davidson, of the City Club, to go to England to plav for the Wigan Rugby League Club, have been a burning subject for discussion in League circles during the past week. An altruistic spirit was shown l>v the City Club members, who certainly had tlie most to lose. They realised that both the players could benefit themselves individually it they went to England to play football, and on the broad principle that they would not stand in their light, decided to recommend that the transfers should be approved. On the subject the Auckland Rugby League wa% about evenly divided—the lirst division was seven votes to seven —but the supreme controlling body, the New Zealand Rugby League, firmly turned down the request. At the moment the League authorities are on the horns of a dilemma, and it is probable that the matter will be reopened.

Viewing the matter broadly, it must he admitted that a general exodus of New Zealand players to English clubs is not in tlie best interests of the code. On the other hand, there is no certainty that such a position would develop; just as certain is the fact that there is not the collective talent in New Zealand at the present time to make the English clubs lavish with their offers. On the other hand, there is the individual viewpoint as it affects the players who have been so much discussed. Both Brown and Davidsou are Auckland League products. They have given their best to the code, they have gath«rcd every play'in™ honour that the game can give them. and. in a word, both now arc anxious to get

an opportunity that will assist thein when their playing days are over. Neither has an assured }»osition. as far as employment is concerned, and as they have played as amateurs their football skill in New Zealand has not benefited till-in linaiu-lailv. In Brow u'» care he is anxious to return to England lo finish oil his trade. The reomendatixn of the advisorv committee of the Auckland Hug by League was purely gratuitous, and meant, in effect, what thejr were unable to prevent —that if tile players in quesi tion fulfilled a two years' residential qualification at Home they could play for the English club of their choice. 1 hev also knew that two years' football idleness would also spell lini- t « a player's career, and thus the recommendation, from the committee's viewpoint, did not contain any element of risk. The adoption of the advisory com mi l tee's recommendation by the Auckland Rugby Lea-rue meant nothing else than a straight-out refusal to grant the transfers. And. in its turn, without the disability of a quaintly-worded motion. ;he parent body took ii|> a similar attitude. I here the matter rests, momentarily at any rate. Apart liom the merits or demerits of the transfer question, it will l»e admitted that the attitude of the players has been frankness personilicd. and they put their cards on the table. They knew that the League authorities were in a position to grant transfers if they desired, and they believed that their services to the code in the past would be recognised, at least to the extent that obstacles would not be placet! in their way. Therefore, tho League j-eojde will at lo.ist give them credi*. tor their action*. Had tlie two players sought their goal by a devious route, thev could have sidestepped the hurdle thev have been faced with. There was nothing to prevent them earlier in the season sever ing their connection with the League game, joining up with another athletic pastime, and then going free and unlettered to an English Rugby club, for just as it is true that there is a two years' residential ban in force, it is equallv truc that it applic- only to league players. If the attitude of'the Auckland Rugby and Die New Zealand league was honest, the inspiring motive was to conserve the interest of the code, but the que-iion is whether that desideratum will l>c achieved. It is not giving a secret away to mention that several developments in the near future will l>o full ~f interest. Seeing that the New Zealand Rugby league was prepared to grant a transfer to Oeorgc Nepia. the Hawke's Bay Rugby player, it does not appear that the questions of principle or precedent are involved. At the moment the matter is now back in the hands of the City Club for consideration.

V\ ith the possibility of an Australian team Win;; in Auckland this season, the building of representative teams will soon Ik> an interesting pastime. The outstanding full-back so far has been Gregory, who has been improved a lot as the outcome of a tour to England with the Dominion side. There are several pood full-backs in Auckland, but none on the same plane as the Marist custodian. His only serious rival would bo Dufty. who so far has been playing in other positions, and Webb, of Devotiport. The latter has been showing excellent form, and also is an improved player as the result of point; on tour. R. Davidson and List, of Kingsland, are the only centre three quarters of real class, and the former i» at the moment out of the game through in jut y. At his best Davidson is the letter of the pair, and pos sesso- ;ill the {attributes to make a success of the |Mi«ition. There is a plethora of 2<v>d wing three-quarters, men of ;>aoc

who can finalise a scoring movement if given a reasonable chance. L. Brown stands otit as the first choice, particularly if he is paired with Davidson in the contre. As far as the others offering ate concerncd. the difficulty when the times comes will be who to leave outThe five-eighths play in Auckland is one of the greatest weaknesses in the code. There arc players with the necessary qualifications and ability, but for finesse, concerted play, and the making of openings they fall a long way below true representative standard. Wetherill. of the City flub, alone plays the inside game as it should be played, and apart from him, not since the days when Ifwcrsen was a League star has the hallmark of real class been in evidence. Auckland is fortunate in having two half-hacks of the brilliant attacking type in Peckhant and Mclntyre, the latter, who lias linked up with the Newton Club after a sojourn in Sydney, bein? a great acquisition to Auckland "football. This season the selectors will probably take to heart one of the lessons of the disastrous English totir. and pick a forward who specialises in hooking. There are two first rate players in Lowry and Somers, with St. George and A. Townsend for a further choicc. In addition to a hooker of class, what will be needed is two forwards who will pack solidly in the front row without desire to unduly shine in the open. For the three back positions there is almost a surfeit of talent, names which occur readily being O'Brien (Devonport), Avery. Clark. Hutt, and Payne. As the result of the ganu s on King's Birthday and last Saturday. Ponsonbv. premier* of last season, are in the lead, a point ahead of Marist. The championship is very open, as on the play so far this season there is very little difference between at least six of the competing teams.