TEST RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 103, 3 May 1934, Page 8

TEST RUGBY.

ALL BLACKS' "WILL TO WIN"

REMINISCENCES BY MR. LUCAS. Sidelights on international Rujrby and Test atmosphere were given by Mr. F. W. Lucas, an All Black in 1923-24-25-28-30, in an address at the weekly luncheon of, the Auckland Optimists' Club this afternoon. Dr. Harold Pettit presided. "It has often been said that New Zealanders are too grim, that they take their football too seriously, and that they are 'pot-hunters,'" said Mr. Lucas. "Those views harve been expressed in England, but to those critics I answer: How can you play Rugby, or any game, if you do r.ot plav to win ? Of course, New Zealand teams play to win. On the other hand, the Englishman is inclined to take his Rugby too casually." In international matches, in fact, in all Rugby matches, there were three unwritten laws that applied to backs: (1) Do your own job; (2) never pass to a man who is in a worse position than you; (3) back up both in attack and defence. The player who strictly observed those three golden rules was generally head and shoulders above other players. Intensive backing-up was the key to the success of the famous 1924 All Blacks, the greatest team in the postwar period. The difference between the 1924 team and the side which tour6d South Africa in 1928 was that one backed up and the other did not. The 1928 team was not efficient in backing up, and was therefore less successful. The 1928 team contained the players, and. if the sides had been picked correctly, there was no reason why they should not have been as good as the 1924 team. In 1930 the All Black team against the British tourists contained several of the 1924 players, but they did not combine as they should have done. Had they played together again before the matches, the 1930 Test sides would have been equally as. good as those which made their names in England. Before the Battle. Test atmosphere and its effect on the individual player was referred to by Mr. Lucas. Most players were affected differently. Some could rest before a match, some could sleep, while others had to be "on the move" all the time. Some were a bundle of nerves until they got on the field, others'* were silent and wanted to be left alone. But all Test players who represented New Zealand went on to the field with determination on their faces and a will to win. Several comic incidents on and off the field were recalled by Mr. Lucas. He said that several years ago when an Auckland touring team was playing a southern province, the run of the luck was all against Auckland, and it was noticeable that the referee was by no means kind to Auckland. In his enthusiasm for the home side, he even cheered on one occasion when they scored, but the gem came when he blew a whistle for a free .kick. "Whose ball?" asked the Auckland captain. "Ours," said the referee.