Rugby Losses.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 4 (Supplement)

Rugby Losses.

Stars to Be Missed in British Teams. — Beamish Goes to Egypt. Within a short time the selectors of the. national Rugby Unions will commence tlieir intensive search for players to be tested for international honours in Britain, writes O. W. Packford in London "Sporting Life" on September 13. Their task this season should not be so difficult as in the immediate past, for it would be almost possible for England Ireland, Scotland and Wales immediately to field fifteens of considerable experience.

Still, each country will miss at least one outstanding player, for George Bcuiiish (Ireland) will spend the next season or two on service with the R.A.F. in Egypt or the Sudan; E. H. Sadler (England) and A. B. Ralph (Wales) have entered the professional ranks; and it is duuitful whether lan Smith (Scotland] will play in what would be ins eighth consecutive international campaign. Beamish certainly has been the"greatosc Kciummager in the British Isles since the bfst days of W. W. Wakefield and <T. lis. Bannerman, and his absence from the team will be a big blow to those Irish enthusiasts who have, been endeavouring to establish a combination of sufficient ability to win the triple crown.

A powerful forward', Beamish has rendered magnificent service to his country, tiie R.A.F., the East Midlands and' Leicester, and he will always be remembered as the leader of the only team to overcome the 1932 Springboks. Leicestershire and the East Midlands, inspired by the redoubtable Irishman, won a memorable game by 30 points to 21 after which "Bonnie" Osier and his men defeated each of their international opponents !

In many respects England has been as "hard hit" in the departure to another code of Sadler, who played against Ireland and Scotland last season. Since the retirement of the inimitable Tom Voyce we had not found a whig forward comparable'to him until Sadler was discovered as a, result of playinofor the Army. " °, A fast, quick-thinking player, Sadler reminded me more of the Gloucester "wonder" than anyone I have seen for years, and had he remained in the Army lie would doubtless have represented England for a long time to come. In ordinary circumstances the "passing" of Eaymond Ealph, a really classic fly-half, would be deeply regretted in Wales, but through a severe injury he was unable to play regularly last season. Fortunately in Harry Bowcott they possessed a player equally at home at half-back or in the centre, and his excellent association with Maurice Turnbull appears likely to continue for at least another two seasons. The future of lan Smith is, at the moment, problematical. Although still young in years, he is a veteran in the service of the game, having played in no fewer than 32 internationals, and it is expected in Scotland, that he may seek a rest from the most severe of combats. It must be remembered that last season the old Oxonian led a young and enthusiastic Scottish combination to victory in both the struggle for the triple crown and the championship, andhe may yet be persuaded to resume the leadership of a fifteen who will start favourites for the same honours. Eoferring to the dates of . th'o big Eugby matches, Packford says:— There are, as usual, three trial matches, these being at Birkenhead on December 2, Falmouth on December 16, and Twickenham on January 6. An additional test, North v. South, has been arranged to take place at Twickenham on February 24, a fortnight before the match with Scotland, which is the only international game at headquarters this season. The other championship games, against Wales and Ireland, are at Cardiff and Dublin on January 20 and February 10 respectively.