The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1937. RUGBY AND THE PUBLIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 8

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1937. RUGBY AND THE PUBLIC.

For the cause that tack* miMun, For the wrong that neede reeietmnaa, For the future in the dietcnee. And the good that toe om» da.

The tour of the Springbok Rugby team has done more than reveal defects in the playing system of the New Zealandcrs. These defects, so apparent to the spectators in the final Test match last Saturday, have sincc been helpfully analysed by the Springboks' captain and vice-captain. No doubt they can be rectified—indeed, according to Mr. Nel, it was the All Blacks in South Africa in 1928 who taught the Springboks the lessons which they havo been teaching us —and there is little doubt that they will be, although the necessary changes cannot be made in a day, or even in a season. But more important than defects in play, which were, of course, seen in a harsh light because of the brilliancy of the Springboks, arc defects in sportsmanship, indicated by Mr. Craven's observation that (here had been "too much booing." Not being a hnsty or unfair critic, he added that the crowds which witnessed the Test matches were most impartial, and their behaviour was excellent. But his remark that school children had taken part in hostile demonstrations, and in some cases had been the only offenders, is not one that can or should be quickly forgotten.

The fact —and it has not been denied — that some school children —even, as we may l'cel confident, a small minority-—have taken part in or led hostile demonstrations against a visiting team, does no credit either to them or their elders. There have been overseas teams in New Zealand some of whose members have evoked, by unfair tactics or rough play, the justifiable anger of spectators. No such charge could be laid against the Springboks. Their play was hard, fast and clean. By their speed, their admirable combination and the constructive spirit of their play they overwhelmed most of the teams they met. Why, then, should there have been even one demonstration hostile to themf Apart from misunderstanding of interpretations of the rules, due to ignorance, the main motive could hatdly have been other than bitterness because the Springboks were winning—in short, pure bad sportsmanship. It has been known before, and not only in New Zealand, but that school children have been affected by it indicates clearly that the ideal of "the game for the game's sake" needs fostering in the Dominion.

The visits of overseas teams can do much good to the game, but only if public attention is focused on the spirit and quality of the contest, and not on its result. It is doubtful 1 whether the "Test" matches now inseparable from overseas tours contribute anything to Rugby that it would not be better without. They attract the keen but ephemeral interest of thousands of people for whom their attraction is that of a gladiatorial display and | the opportunity they afford for betting. Inevitably, it seems, an intensely serious atmosphere is created by which selectors, players and the public are alike affected, and the emphasis is placed on the "result" of tho contest. But this undesirable spirit will not affect the players if throughout their Rugbyplaying lives they have had instilled in them tho principles of sportsmanship. Club committees and coaches, without whose work the elaborate organisation of Rugby would collapse, can (and in the great majority of cases do) exert their influence against "pothunting" and on the side of the best traditions of the game. There is need for them to increase their efforts, positively by exhortation and example, and negatively by dealing severely with instances of bad sportsmanship. Rugby authorities in general might well consider discarding a number of tho super-abundant cups and trophies which arc awarded to teams gaining the greatest number of "wins," and encouraging competitions of the kind for which the Palmer Memorial Cup was presented to the Auckland Rugby Union. To win this trophy, which is competed for in the junior grade, a team must bo adjudged superior to all others in (a) loyalty to its captain, and conduct on sind off the field of play; (b) punctuality; and (c) strict adherence to the rules and spirit of the game. Of all trophies, it is the one to which j most honour is attached. There should be one for every grade.