THE KICK THEY GET OUT OF IT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 10

THE KICK THEY GET OUT OF IT

I By

WHIM WHAM)

Unitormed police will be asked to attend matches under the control (sic) of the Whakatane Rugby Sub-union . Mr G. N. Cooper said he was disgusted with the behaviour of spectators on the sideline. They were inciting players to boot, punch and kick opponents in the head. Mr J, Mason (Poroporo) said the phrase "Kick him in the head was quite regulai He did not think players look any notice. . —News item When 1 rage along the Sideline, when I yell. “Put the Boot in 1” and “Kick him in the head Remember, this is regular, in Rugby: Such Language isn’t nasty, or ill-bred. It doesn’t mean I’d kick a Man in Anger, Or incite the No. Eight to do the Same. If I bellow, “Break his Neck !” I’m only helping To keep up the quaint old Customs of the Game. When Fists are flying and the Play gets “torrid" (But what’s a Bit of Knuckle between Friends?), It reminds me that this Rugby is a MAN’S Game And a Game that on its Crowd Appeal depends. The Spaniard loves his Bullfight and its Bloodshed, Compared with Which our national Sport is mild; But we make it up with murderous Incitements: It’s on the Sideline that our Blood runs wild. —So argues Mr Mason (Poroporo). The Players take no Notice, he avers. It’s “ regular." he claims, nor does it follow That brutal Word to brutal Action stirs. All right, it’s regular, it’s how we like It. But do we, seriously, believe that They Who clamour. “Put the Boot in !”, don’t mean simply And fervently, exactly What they say ? Do we. seriously, believe that on the Sideline They don’t know what it is they're yelling for ' Sir. I won’t swallow THAT one for a moment. They’ve tasted "rugged" Play, and they want More