RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 243, 8 July 1921, Page 6

RUGBY

THE EXCLUSION OF ROBERTS ? A t e AMAZEMENT AT DUNEDIN. s by Telegraph—Special Correspondent. 1 „„ Dunedin, July 7. r Ihe personnel of the All Black team * as -published to-day was received 'here with amazement. This was caused by ’ the non-inclusion of E. Roberts, who z was looked upon as a certainty for tho fifteen and a possible captain. The mat- J ter is the topic of the town. The omis- 0 cion is all the more noticeable after • Roberta’s great game in tho inter-island ’ match lust Saturday. Otago has as ' well as was expected in supplying two forwards (Richardson and Duncan), as ■ the backs playing here this season’ are ' not above tho ordinary. Regarding ' statements made at Christchurch, as reported by the Press Association, the general feeling here is that as Rugby is far stronger, in the North, that island is entitled to two selectors as against one for the South Island. PUBLIC SELECTIONS OF ALL BLACKS ONLY TWO OMIT ROBERTS. There were between 300 and 460 entries for the team-picking competition organised by Air. John Swinson, and of the total only two omitted Roberts from their representative choice. Nobody picked the exact team, and the nearest was Air. Dixon, who picked all the baeke according to selectors, 'but was three out in the forwards. Several selections were only three out. No prize has been awarded, and the £5 note has been paid over by Air. Swinson to the Injured Flayers Fund of the AVellington Rugby Union. CORRESPONDENTS’ VIEWS A large number of letters have reached us commenting on the selection of the “All Black” team, the great majority protesting against the exclusion of E. Roberts. We cannot find space for all the correspondence, but the ground is covered' in the following summary :— “Spectator" says: Exclusion of Roberts from the New Zealand team seems to be the one topic of conversation this morning among the followers of New Zealand’s national game. I think that the selectors have a national duty imposed on them, and it behoves them at saich a time to sink any club preiudiees or provincial feeling- (or compromise) and select the best team available. The followers of the game —the "bankers’’ at the Athletic Park—are very good judges of the game, and I would suggest that an effort be made to find out how many of the competitors for the "Swinson Fiver”’ left Roberts ’out of their tcim. Without attempting to go deeply into the merits or demerits of Roberts I will say fhat I think that for his generalship and knowledge of the game he is worthy of his place in the team before any c’hcr back in Now Zealand.

[Out of between 300 and JOO teams picked by the public for the Swinson five pound note competition only two are said to have omitted Roberts from their choice. On this showing public opinion may be claimed to have favoured Roberts’ inclusion in the team by something over 150 to l.j “Not Picked" suggests that the letter of C. Morris implies that he is in favour of an All Black strike because one of l.is favourites is not selected in the Now Zealand team, and that "he makes some I extraordinary statements about E. Roberts that that good sport will resent, I am sure. No footballer of any standing amongst his fellows would descend to such a suggestion. Whilst I too had R. Roberts on my coupon I am ready to think the selectors may be right. The public is so often wrong in its mass ■judgment of anything, from football to war. and popularity carries so far in the brains of some that reasoning is crowded out. Having admitted E. Roberts’s ability and popularity with the crowd, let us ask ourselves if the selectors, chosen for the task by their peers, and having gone into the matter more deeply than C. Morris and others, may not after nil be right. E. Roberts, T have no doubt, will bow to their decision as many a good plover has bowed before, and we all know that ‘Teddy’ i’ not yet a hack number. C. Morris and the man on the bank who spends his time booing end yelling don’t see the game of Rugby—they see their favourites playing footbaß." . • . „ . . n,„

"Are the Selectors Paramount” is the headins Leo D. Chateau places on his contribution, and he then nf 001 /'?* follows: "This awful insult to Teddy Kolierts must be redressed. He is a volunteer returned. He has maintained the best playing and social prestige of New Zealand football since 1907. Accordin- Io all the newspaper critics and such fudges as "Billy” Wallace "Freddv” Roberts, and a legion of other experts, he is now «t the top of bis form. Surely there must be some mistake, because’it is impossible to surmise anything sinister. Anyhow, its up to the selectors to make some explanation, and if its up to ‘Teddy’s’ friends to try and persuade him to refuse the honour (?) offered, and leave it to the just public to vindicate this blunder or insult. In writing the foregoing, I wish to cast no reflection on either of those excellent players and good fellows, the Nieho.ls brothers.” "Follower of the Game writes: t with hundreds of other 'fans who never miss a match, arc dumb-founded at the omission of E. Foberts from the first test team. Not only is he the best and brainiest half in the country, but he is n headv skipper, and has proved it time and again. If I were asked what f would do. I would have no hesitation in suggesting that the wing forward be dropped (the South Africans do not use the winger), and that there be three fiveeightlis—the third with a roving commission. What n feature Teddy would be in such n position!” NEW ZEALAND UNION MEETS CHAIRMAN’S RECENT TRIP TO AUSTRALIA. The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held last evening. Mr. G. Slade presided, and there were present: Messrs. R. T. Bailey, 11. Paton, G. Howe, E. Wylie, S. S. Dean, and E. Little. Mr. J. M'Leod, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, wrote stating that he would meet the South Africans in Auckland and accompany them ns far as ■Wanganui. Mr. Slade also intends to meet the visitors at Auckland if he can make the necessary arrangements. Misses Brandon, Baste, and Smith wrote offering to place one of their massage rooms, and any of their electrical apparatus, at the disposal of the Springboks, who, it is believed, were bringing their own masseur with them. ’The offer was accepted with thanks. The 'West Coast Union notified that it lind issued a challenge to the Marlborough Union for the Seddon Shield, and suggested that August 6 would be a suitable date for playing the game. From the Auckland Union information was received that J. Laing and E. Herring, two I/»gue players who were reinstated in the ranks of Rugby, had played for the League since then, and it was decided to give them fourteen days in which to show cause, why they should not bo expelled. The chairman reported on his recent visit to Sydney to welcome the Springboks, and from what he said the South Africans had apparently an excellent reception in New South Wales. He also reported with regard to the several con-

ferenoes held in respect to the rules, and a partial agreement was arrived at ou some points, but a further conference was to be held towards the end of the New Zealand tour. The New South Wales Union had expressed its gratitude to the New Zealand Union for the generosity in allowing the Springboks to stay in Sydney for an additional game. It helped the New South Wales Union io recover from its financial difiiculties, and when Mr. Slade left Sydney the tour had proved a financial success, and there would be a balance to come to the New Zealand Union. Mr. Slade said that Mr Bennett, the manager of th-e South Africans, had told him that there was a wrong impression prevalent in South Africa with respect to New Zealand goinv over to the League game, and he was pleased io find that it was just the reverse. Mr. Bonnett was averse to going into Rugby matters as he had had definite instructions from the South African Union not. to do so. Mr. Slade added that he had a conference with officials of the New South Wales Union, and the question of a fair catch was discussed Tn Sydney it was not a fair catch unless the player jumping into the air to catch the ball landed on his feet. The South 1 Africans desired six footballs to be provided for selection, as th-? balls in use in South Africa differed to some extent from those in use in New Zealand. The Maori tour had to be abandoned by New South "Wales for the lack of funds. Mr. Slade said that h-s had sent an mvita- ■ tion to Trance for a team to visit New ! Zealand in 1922. He had also made ari rangements for a visit from a New South ’ Wales team to the Dominion next month ; provided the committee approved. , A committee, consisting of the chairt man and Messrs. E. Wylie and S. Lean, i was appointed to go into the i position of the tour, with power to act. - MOASCAR CUP NAPIER HIGH SCHOOL DEFEATS PALMERSTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. , Napier, July 7. The first game of the season for the. Moascar Cup was played to-day between the Palmerston North *and Napier Higa 'i Schools. The game is ordinarily an an- ‘ nual trial of strength between these schools, but it had been accepted ns a „ cup challenge match. The weather was „ fine and the ground in good order. A light wind in the first spell favoured Palmerston, but it died down nalt-way 3 through the second half. The game was „ open and remarkably fast, both sides n playing excellent football. In the first a spell Palmerston scored 13 points and !’ Napier 3. For Palmerston Saywell kick- ■ ed a penalty goal, and tries were scored l 7 by Bennett and Tovey, both being conf verted by Saywell. The tries were the '■? outcome of good passing Napiers try 4 was scored by Fisher. The second spell J’ was very fast, and was notable ior the ” sting in the attack of the Napier backs, '• who handled the ball well, ran ° and passed with precision and judgment. I T on U points, while Palmerston

Sto add total The Palmerston forwards were the sc mers and invariably hooked the ball and 'enabled the backs to get Gloving, but the home boys were sure tacldeis. The safe play of the fun-back kept the visitors at bay. The game ended in a X for Napier by 17 to 13. The scorers in the second spell for the winners were Reuth Williams, and Hogg. One try was converted by Hogg, who also kicked a penalty goal. The match was witnessed The annual game between the second fifteen of Palmerston and Napier was won by Napier by 14 to 3. SPRINGBOKS LEAVE SYDNEY (Rec. July 7, 10.25 p.m.) Sydney, July 7. The Springboks are passengers by the UHmarol which left this afternoon for Auckland.—Press Assn. PRIMARY SCHOOL HATCHES. the eiimes set out on the SiL d , r ;'.b.M “■‘H' S V IK»Kelburn Park other day,’ by ar- < Orndes it has been found necessary to alter the order of the remaining three rounds. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. Pone. Power. Todd, Thomas. Reserve, R. Third v Upper Hutt—Peek. Shaw He«Jeholls. Twlor. w “‘- Gr^ tCr £ in d™: Polllok, Glennie, Charles. Reserves. Wil- ■ li y?fth n ’v% U eiw<m. 4very. Beck. Brewer. A?/!hnr Doric Inness Winix, Hepplestou, Bedefh’ MHey.’ Leech,’ Menzies. Jansen, B^ r fol“ B ’ JVesley Fourth B against Selwyn. ’’le ft n ’wW’ Gillium Bowke": Lowe' Downer’. Watson. Lear. Emergencies—Back, Borrcll; forward._Hill.