Rugby Football

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 223, 21 June 1928, Page 15

Rugby Football

By

“Five-Eighths ”

CAN WE WIN THE FIRST TEST?

NEED FOR BETTER DEFENCE.

The New Zealanders did well to defeat Transvaal at Johannesburg on Saturday by a goal from a try to nil. This Transvaal team is about as hard a Rugby nut to crack aS there exists anywhere in the wide, wide world. They proved this by defeating the New Zealanders on June 9 by two tries to nil.

It must have been a new experience for our fellows to find that they could not penetrate the impregnable defence these Transvaal men set up in the first match. Defence has always been the merit of South African play. Everyone can remember how hard it was to cross the Springbok line in this country in 1921. They seemed to have a checkmate for almost every move made by their opponents. The fine showing made by the All Blacks against the country clubs of the Orange Free State on June 13 at Kroonstad, when they won by four goals from tries to nil. convinced supporters of the team that they had at last settled down into something like New Zealand form, and they justified this faith by turning the tables on the Transvaal fifteen at Johannesburg ou Saturday/ It must have been a great game, as the line was only crossed once in the course of I the whole match. This is something like Rugby. A score should be so difficult to get that a try or a potted goal should be regarded as a great honour. Defence' in New Zealand has been sadly neglected within recent years, with the result that cricket scores are frequently piled up. For instance, in the match between University and Petone at Petone Oval last Saturday '55 points were piled on, 30 by the students and 25 by the Dark Blues. Where was the defence in this game? It practically meant that each time the ball was set in motion one side or the other would race over for a try. Points, were not so easy to get at Johannesburg on Saturday.' Only one try was scored in the game, but it was a good one. A shattering thrust by. flic All Black forwards took play well into Transvaal .territory. Here, from a scrum, Hore and Swain gave Dailey the ball, and the little Canterbury man sent Strang away. Lance Johnson received the leather to cut in brilliantly, shake off two tacklers, and score between the posts. Here was Rugby at its best; sound work by. the forwards and brilliance by the backs. But how hard it was to score was apparent from the fact that this was the only occasion on which the New Zealanders could pierce the line. “At this stage,” ran the cabled report, “three Transvaal men were knocked out and carried off the ground, which looked like a battlefield, with the wounded lying prostrated.” They could not have been badly hurt, however, as the cable added: “All three went on again after a couple of minutes.” When giants get moving at top pace someone is very apt to get a "bump, but Rugby men learn to take and give hard knocks in • the best, of spirit. This is one of the finest lessons taught by the game.

Can We Win the First Test? Twenty thousand people witnessed the game at Johannesburg on Saturday, but "what a multitude should assemble at Durban on June 30 to watch the Rugby might of South Africa and New Zealand clashing in the first Test match. These four Test matches to be played this year in South Africa will be about the greatest struggles the Rugby world has ever seen. Both countries have carefully prepared for the ordeals, and each is fully aware of the strength of the other, so neither can expect to catch the other at al disadvantage. New -Zealand - had the advantage of a tour of Great Britain in 1924, but it must not b? forgotten that that same year a British team .visited South Africa. ■ A Big Push.

Time and again attention Jias been drawn to the fact that in South Africa great reliance is-placed in the forwards. The South African and Western Province fly-half, B. L. Osler, handed out information 'some time ago which should have been carefully noted. In dealing with the forwards he emphasised the fact that every Springbok forward would have to carry his full weight in every scrum. It was a case of wearing down the New Zealand forwards. “With our forwards, then, breaking through in loose rushes, wheeling from the tight scrums, etc., and then hooking back quickly,” he said; “I am quite confident we still have backs in this country to do the rest, although numbers of the players of bygone days tell us we haven’t. It is only to be hoped that we still remember the lesson we learnt during the British tour ot 1924; that is, that it is useless to try to cope with the opponents’ loose forwards by playing loose forwards to watch them, but to have eight solid try to smash the rest of the pack.

An English Stalwart. The captain of England's Rugby team. R. Cove-Smith, is also the "father ot it, insomuch that, of all the players chosen for the first three representative matches last season, he was the oldest in international service. “Cove” played his first game for England at Edinburgh, in 1921, and when he led his men on to the field at Dublin recently he wijs making his twenty-fifth appearance in the immaculate white jersey. In 1924 CoyeSmith (he is now a doctor) led a British Rugby team through Sout.» Africa. It played 21 matches, won 9, lost 9. and drew three. The four tests went to South Africa. Cove-Smith played a rattling forward game for England against Porter’s All Blacks at Twickenham. A. J. du Plessis /Stellenbosch) recently gave some views on South African Rugby. Among them was the following : —“Most people are apt to think that our Rugby to-day is absolutely below the standard of the past. This is the case with the backs, but certainly not with the forwards. Forwards to-day, no doubt, play better and take a greater part in the game than the forwards of the past. This is perhaps a result of the faulty play of the backs to-day.”

New Zealand Will Win. Though I have the greatest respect for South Africa’s Rugby prowess, I feel confident that New Zealand will prevail in the tests. I cannot see any team in the world defeating the present All Black force when fit and well, and the New Zealanders should be at their best by June 30. They, too, will have the big advantage of combination, which is such a great asset to all touring sides. South Africa will have to bring men from all parts of the big Union, and unless they go into camp for a week or so they cannot expect to have the clockwork combination which the New Zealand team will possess. It may be a rash prophesy, but 1 tip the kiwi to be perched on top of the prostrate springbok when the .Spartan battles are over. .

Oriental Still on Top. The senior A championship competition in Wellington is in a most interesting position. Oriental managed to retain their place at the top of the ladder by defeating Berhampore on .Saturday. The Magpies, however, received a big fright from the husky billmcn, as the margin of victory was only one point, the final score being 9 to 8. It was anybody's game, and it was only the physical fitness of the Oriental .forwards which enabled them to keep their nose in front.

The try which gave Oriental the victory was a brilliant and spectacular dive by Walker, the speedy wing-three-quarter. The ex-I’almerston North man hurled himself over the line at such pace that he winded himself for a time. Walker is one of th<- cleverest scoring wing-three-quarters in Ihe competition. McNicol. who was playing well at

the commencement of the season, appears to have struck a bad patch. He lias been handling badly lately, and developed this fault agaim on Saturday. He would be well advised to play a trifle more deliberately. It is no use going oyer the line if you don’t take the ball with you. Lang and Pickering shaped -well amongst the Berhampore backs, the latter converting the try scored by Weaver, and also landing a penalty goal. A Cricket Score.

The spectators on Petone Oval last Saturday certainly got their money s worth. The ’Varsity fifteen always play attractive football, and on Saturday they threw the leather about with rare abandon. This suited Petone down_to the ground, and the result was that 55 points .were put on during the game. It was the most sparkling display of the passing game which has been seen this season, but it must be admitted that the defence on both sides was very weak. There was great excitement when the scores stood at 25 points all, but Mackay, the speedy ’Varsity winger, brought victory to his side by scoring just before the final bell, and Ramson made a fitting finale to a most spectacular display by converting the try with a magnificent kick. The University team has gone so well in the last three games that many people are tipping them to carry off the premiership, and thgy are just the boys to do it. They have a really good side this season, with plenty of weight in the van-’ guard. ' - x . „ Ramson s presence has materially strengthened the backs, and, with Mackay and Brown on either side of him, it is a speedy three-quarter line the side fields. Mackenzie is shining as an.inside back this season, having become a regular “dummy merchant.” Leys is a clever halfback, who works in well with Mackenzie. Petone deserve credit for the untiring manner in which they jigged to the merry tune set by the ’Varsity pipers. With a little bit of luck they might have won. but it was ’Varsity’s turn to score just as the bell went. Goman gave a bright display behind the Petone scrum. This little fellow will make the sole selector think hard when he sits down to pick the representative team. With such clever half-backs to select from as Coman, H. Tilyard, Du Chateau, and Leys, Mr. Millard will have to put his considering cap on. A Distinct Find. That there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it is apparent from the many promising juniors who are proving their worth this season in the senior A ranks.

Poneke introduced a really good one at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon in Archie Currie, a 20-year-old junior, who was given a.trial at full-back, as Barrett had a touch of the ’flu. Currie is a wellbuilt youngster, and has plenty of resolution. He gave nn outstanding display, revealing pace and good anticipation. He handled surely, collared determinedly, and kept his wits about him all the time. It was a beautiful field goal he dropped in the second spell from beyond the quarter mark, and he also proved liiruself a reliable place-kick. Currie tob.i me after the match that until a season or two back he had never played in the rearguard. He is a most promising player, and his career will be followed with interest.

Poneke in the Boom. Poneke have a much belter side than many people imagine. The red and blacks completely surprised Athletic' on Saturday. Everyone kuew that Poneke had a fine pack of forwards, but on Saturday the backs had a word to say, and they played up surprisingly well. There arc few better half-backs about than Harry Tilyard, and it was a treat to watch his brainy play against Athletic. He is very’ smart and finished in his work, and that he ■ possesses more than average speed he showed when he went after Sutcliffe and Pelham on two different occasions, and overtook them. A Good Forward.

Pickrang played a sterling game amongst the Poneke forwards. This big fellow has pace, and is very hard to stop when ■ under way. Keenan, the Athletic full-bjjck, however, brought, him crashing to earth with a beautiful low tackle on one occasion. H. Sly is also playing 'well this season. He did fine work on the line-out on Saturday, jumping for the leather, and taking it surely time after time; Jack Shearer, the Poneke captain, could not turn out on Saturday as he was just getting over an attack of influenza, and Barrett and Edgar were also on the casualty list. The Poneke men, however, are very loyal to their club, and some veteran or junior is always willing to strip when reinforcements are required. When Turner had an arm injured oh Saturday, Fred Tilyard trotted out front the pavilion, and he rendered good service, too. A Screw Loose.

Athletic did not play badly on Saturday, but there was a screw loose in the backs, which prevented the machinery running smoothly, McDougall, who appears to have put on condition, did not fit into the picture at all well, and he went off at half-time. The Blue and Blacks have two good backs in Pelham and Sutcliffe, whose nippiness and pace make them always dangerous. The latter is a trifle impetuous, and misses chances by trying to bolt before he has got a proper grip of the leather. Take your time, my son. Whinham is another player of the swallow order, but he is weak on defence at present. He makes the mistake of trying to pick the ball from the toes of advancing forwards instead of flopping on it. He got bowled over like a ninepin several times by the Poneke steam-roller on Saturday. Still, Whinham’s pace enabled him to do a lot of valuable defensive work. He is a pocket edition of A. E. Cooke, whom he resembles somewhat in style and build.

The Bottom Dogs. The two bottom dogs, Eastbourne and Wellington, had to battle for the wooden spoon nt Athletic Park on Saturday. It was Eastbourne’s first appearance at headquarters since their elevation to senior A rank, and they gave quite a worthy showing. The backs are fast,' and have been well schooled in tactics by Teddy Roberts.

They greatly pleased the spectators with their opening try a few minutes after the game had started. E. Foley, Jowett. and Murray all handled nicely to allow tlje winger to show a clean pair of heels to the opposition. Jowett also showed a nice turn of speed when he raced away in the second spell to score between the posts. The seasiders have.a sound full-back m Clark, whose only weakness is that he cannot kick with the left foot. Persevere, my boy: there are many disabilities you t - au overcome if you only put your mind to it. If Eastbourne could only dig up a tew more forwards like Buckingham and Duncan they would be hard to bent. A Lopsided Team.

Wellington, without Lance Johnson and Kilby, are a lop-sided team this year. They arc all forwards, and no backs. It was heartbreaking to see the Yellow and Black forwards time and again hammer their way to the line, only to find that their backs had not even the foggiest notion of scoring. Surely never before in senior football has so much fumbling been done by the backs as Wellington gaVe us on Saturday. Julian did good work at half-back, but be was a trifle slow in getting the ball away from the scrum, and allowed him-

self tn be smothered a few times. If the Wellington forwards would go over to the Eastbourne Club, and the Eastbourne backs transfer to Wellington, two good teams could be organised. Teddy Roberts was well with the showing given by his boys on Saturday. He is confident they will beat Oriental. That’s the way to talk. Busy Bees.

Johnsonville are still leading for the senior B championship, being three points ahead of Hutt. They decisively defeated Oriental on Saturday by 22 to 3, and appear to have a team good enough to take premier honours. The position of the teams is as follows

“Dear ‘Five-Eighths,’—On reading through your football notes appearing in to-day’s issue of ‘The Dominion’ it will be noticed you have given D. Lindsay (Otago) the credit for paving the way for Otago's first try in the match against Wellington, played here on September 3 last year. I am sure you will appreciate my drawing your attention to an inaccuracy in that remark. The man who really paved the way for the first try wns Ross (second five-eighth), and all will remember his brilliant straight running from which a try was ultimately obtained. In your issue of ‘The Dominion’ of September 5 you will note my statement is correct, and is again confirmed in your notes appearing in the same paper two days later. I do not wish to take any credit .away from Lindsay—we all know what a good footballer he is—and the correction' is referred to you for what it is worth. — I am, etc’., ‘Your Notes Are Appreciated.’ ” Delenda Est Carthago.

A correspondent writes: —While supporting the liberty of the Press, one cannot allow your contributor, “FiveEights,” to go on uncensured. His excellent notes which appeared in Monday’s issue contained- some original wit, but the cream of the joke was the headline: “Delende Est Carthago.” In the days when typographical errors were unknown the Senator was reported to have said: “Delenda est Carthago.” To continue the allegory still further and quote the history book, “The Rome that destroyed Carthage was not the' Rome of the Second Punic War.” The application is obvious. Ido not intend to write verses.— I am, etc., Marcus Porcius Priscus Cato. While grateful to Mr. Cato for straightening out ray Latin, which always got me into hot water, I was grieved t'o notice that he spells my name incorrectly. Being under the impression that Rugby was a religion in the Dominion, -I plumed myself that I was better known than the Prime Minister, and here I am apparently so little known that Mr. Cato cannot even spell ray name correctly. In the days when typographical errors were unknown, my name was usually spelt “Five-Eighths,” but I notice that Mr. Cato has knocked II out of me. Allowances to Players.

“F. 0. Wellington, writes: —“Over au argument ou the ‘All Blacks,’ we were discussing whether the Members of the team received wages on the tour. Could you give me the answer? I uphold that they receive only out of pocket ‘exes.’ Do the married members receive any more than the single ones? Trusting you will find space in your valuable paper to reply.” The International Rugby Board, at its last meeting in London, passed the following resolution :—“That, in the opinion of the board, it to be made a condition of all fhvitations to visiting unions aud teams that such unions or teams be the guests of the countries, unions, or clubs visited, and are not entitled to make any arrangements with either the home or other unions or clubs under which any payments or allowances in cash or otherwise above the actual travelling nnd hotel expenses incurred be made to them or. for their benefit, or the benefit of their unions or clubs.” On the above letter being referred to' the chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. S. S. Dean stated that no monetary' allowances were being ; made to the members of the New Zealand team nt present in .South Africa. They received “chits,” enabling them to draw up to 3s. a day for laundry and such like out-of-pocket expenses. There was no differentation between married, and Single players. A Taranaki Opinion.

“Old Player” writes as follows from New Plymouth “No doubt you will be considerably surprised and disappointed at the defeat of New Zealand by the Transvaal team. However, dear sir, do you not admit that there is someIhing very radically wrong with’ the selection committee? Just fancy for such a match leaving out such players as McGregor, Lucas, and Sheen—backs incomparably superior to any of those chosen. No one, dr at least very few outside Wellington will admit that either Nicholls or Johnston are up to the best New Zealand standard. In fact, the general opinion is that both were lucky to get chosen in the touring team. Then look at the other backs, all of less brilliance (with the exception of Robilliard) of the last New Zealand team. They are not even the best the present team can produce. It was practically a Wellington-Canterbury team, and I venture to state that a team chosen from Auckland and Taranaki could give it a father of a hiding.” Short Passes.

A. R. Batchelor, captain and wingforward of the Wellington Club’s senior A team, left this week for Cambridge. He is employed by the Bank of New Zealand, and during his residence here was esteemed both on and off the field for his many good qualities. Oriental v. Berhampore.

The match between Oriental and .Berhampore at Lyall Bay was not a brilliant one. but it was most exciting; Also, it was willing throughout at times fiercely so. Both packs were lit and *bur.ked at nothing. Oriental, however, were the fitter team, and it was this that gave them their victory in the last few minutes. Witli such hard-working forwards Oriental’s backs ought to do much better. And so they would if only McNichol, after getting the ball from Chambers, would occasionally remember flint in Tulloch and Walker his team has two fast wingers, who are both triers. On Saturday they were starved. The few times they were given the ball they were crowded on the line. Tulloch showed considerable pluck in continuing after his severe knock. Walker’s winning try was a magnificent effort. He is a man well worth considering for provincial honours. The best of the Berhampore backs was Lang, who got his team out of .trouble time and again. Berhampore forwards lacked that dash to keep up with the ball to the end. They played, however, a determined game.

P. w. L. D. F. A. P. Johnsonville 8 Y 1 0 195 48 14 Hutt 8 > | z 1 89 80 11 Wellington 8 4 3 1 '<4 67 9 I’orirua .... 8 3 3 67 62 8 Oriental S 3 4 1 76 101 Selwyn .... 8 A 4 47 84 6 University Y 2 4 1 48 78 D Training Col 7 1 6 0 69 145 Render Unto Caesar.