POSITIONAL PLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 206, 31 August 1928, Page 12

POSITIONAL PLAY.

LEAGUE fUNQAMENTALS. HINTS FOR NEW ZEALAND. THE ART OF THE GAME. 1 ; (Exclusive to the "Auckland Star") (By JONATHAN PARKIN.) The first thing for an aspiring player is self-control. The man who thinks that the modern Rugby is purely a game of strength, speed and bluff, is bluffing himself. Brains—quick-thinking, made possible by fitness —are the life-blood of our football, perhaps more so than required in any other sport. When a young player starts out he must take notice of those, who, by reason of experience, should be exemplars. I did that. I was interested in football, fascinated by its possibilities. At eleven years of age when I was playing prominently for my school, I took an intelligent interest in all good players —for the others, and they are easily seen because they often preponderate— do not count. I persevered in the theory aid practice of the code, and studied the cleverest moves. After all, you know, football is. like a game of chess, with the action speeded a thousand times. When I make this analogy I do not under-estimate the values of deep thinking, but I am discussing prime elements of Rugger. Thought and Action.

As suggested rapid thought makes League a spectacular reality. The mind must be clear and vigorous enough to produce physical action at will. To accomplish that a man must be in perfect mental condition. That is why young fellows going in for this sport, with success as their goal, should make a point of being fit, not only for reasons of personal ideals and safely, but in fairness to associates in the team. When you see many injuries on the field it is generally indicative of lack of physical condition. Fitness is protection. The foregoing seems to me to appropriately preface what I have been requested to give in the form of advice regarding positional play and its value as far as New Zealand is concerned

'".>ll. I will say straight o"t t 1 '"* Zealand could improve its play considerably by more attention to positions which have a great deal to do with team cohesion. This was well illustrated in the last Test at Christchurch. The fact that your second five-eighths persisted in dropping back to assist the full-back helped us to victory, even though the margin was so small. As a matter of fact, by getting out of position the player in question weakened your attacking strength, and, no doubt, gave his own custodian a lot of anxiety. I know the action in falling back was prompted by worthy motive, yet it violated important positional principles. As captain of the opposing side, I soon saw this mistake, and initiated moves to take full advantage. Tn other words-, we encouraged your defensive attitude. Forwards Are First Item. The first item in forming a football team is providing for good forwards. Like a house it should have a sound foundation. Front row men are very important. Personally I am not a great believer in The hooker is often an exaggerated idea. By that I mean that whoever happens to have that duty must have the weight behind him to put him in a position to get the ball, whether he is clever or otherwise. I think it is largely fallacy about a hooker being brilliant, because if he has not the support he is powerless. Heavy, vigorous, upstanding forwards, packing well together, with leverage towards the

hooker, are desirable. In that statement I think I cover the requirement of team foundation. Of course there are such matters as loose play tactics. Imperatively forwards should fan out. In their positions, and with a knowledge of each other's play, they should always be ready to follow the trend of any manoeuvre —to attack or defend with every confidence of backing. The lock or last man down should have an understanding with the scrum half. When the ball is loose he should know to fall back to assist the half. Sometimes the lock, if enterprising, should be able to figure on the blind side and take a reverse surprise pass pretendedly for the winger;, or, he should be seen occasionally taking an inside midiield pass. The points, of course, all depend upon his adaptability. In this respect the greatest player I have known was Frank Gallagher, who came here with us on the last tour. Ho was unable to leave England this time. (Some comment on the varying needs in backs and back play will be the subject of a special article next week.) FELICITOUS SPEECHES. ENGLISH CAPTAIN'S TRIBUTES. A VETERAN TRAINER. In his speech at the cup presentation ceremony Jonathan Parkin said it was an honour to have captained the 1928 English team, for it was great t<» go | back Home with two cups. "Because of previous tours our people had the idem | that our mission was easy, but," he said, "I knew, the task would be harder than they thought. You can take it from me that you have born footballers in New Zealand. You have the ruggedness of country brawn to cap with city finesse for your teams. I conscientiously believe you can produce a team that will hold its own against any in the world. As a boy I saw Baskeville's side, which had our friend Jimmy Gleeson. The fact that the visitors came from so far afield impressed me. * After 20 years I come 14,000 miles to join with my boys in accepting a cup from a member of that 1907-8 New Zealand team. I can tell you I was never more delighted in mv life. Indeed lam sorry the tour is ended. I sincerely thank Mr. Gleeson for his kindness and wonderful present for my three overseas trips. I believe what one man does, others can do. Some of the present team are on their second venture, and I hope tliey will merit a similar honour to me." (Applause.)

Vice-captain J. J. Sullivan said they were all glad to go back to England a successful side. He had bought some things for his girl, but he was sure she would be more pleased with the ring that had been given by Mr. GleesoiT. |"I did not see Mr. Gleeson until this trip, but I had often heard of him, after I came from the south—in Wales. I am quite satisfied that he is a great sport and a credit to his fine career," said the famous full-back.

Replying to the tributes, Mr. Gleeson, who was presented (per a snappy field pass) by Mr. Parkin with an inscribed

ball and an enlargement of the visiting team, said that he hoped Parkin would again come to New Zealand, which was blessed with good sports and people who believed in the health and character building of outdoor games. (Applause.) "Dally" Messenger's Debut. Parkin 6aid there was one man with the team that deserved much praise. It was their great trainer, Dave Murray. (Applause and cheers, with "Good old Dave," "Mother" and other friendly ejaculations.) He had been with every English team, five, that had come to this part of the world, so his record was unequalled by any trainer. The speaker had been with him three times, and he was the best of fellows and one who knew what fitness demanded. The boys had all subscribed to an "envelope"—a gift which it was a pleasure to present. (Applause.) The recipient, when able to make himself heard through the din of plaudits, said his career as a League trainer commenced with the arrival of the first League team to visit Australia from New Zealand. He helped to assemble the Australian team to oppose the visitors, who included Mr. Gleeson. "The first game produced a gate of 11/3! (Laughter.) Now lam telling you real history. I well remember the dinner at the Gresham Hotel, Sydney, 21 years ago. The first game, in which "Dally" Messenger took part, depended upon a goal-kick, which was easy to Messenger. I was amazed and disgusted to see him kick a grubber, which went right under the posts. When he returned to- the dressing-room I hotly expostulated with him, and told him he had lost the match. Messenger (who went to England with the New Zealand side that year) just clapped his hand heartily on my shoulder and could only 6ay, 'Dave I am going Homo with them!' Well, as' you know we all got disqualified for life, and it's wonderful to think of the' benefits of that disqualification." Dave said he always tried to do his best for a team, and he was glad to be parting from the boys the best of friends. He would go back to Sydney proud of his late "charges." All he could say was that the 1928 English team was the best he had ever handled.