RIVAL RUGBY CODES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 14

RIVAL RUGBY CODES

Why Nepia Went Over to League

(By

Five-Eighths.)

Many Rugby Union followers have held the opinion for some years past that the New Zealand Rugby Union has not been fair to Maori players, and wondered how long a proud race was going to submit to unfair treatment. Something in the nature of a sensation was caused when such prominent New Zealand Rugby Union players as George Nepia, Charlie Smith, George Harrison and J. McDonald went over to the League code toward the end of last year, and proceeded io engagements in England. The reason for the action taken by such renowned Rugby players was explained recently by George Nepia when interviewed by Clifford Webb of the “Daily Herald” on bis arrival in London. “When I asked him. what had influenced him in his decision to become a professional after so many years of the Rugby Union game he was inclined to be reticent, but admitted that there were several reasons,” writes Webb. “The money will be useful in consolidating his position as a farmer back in New Zealand. He is the proud owner of some 8000 acres and has installed a manager to look after the farm during his absence. He will bo here two years at least. ‘•But there is something deeper than the financial side of the question. Nepia told me that there is a very-strong feeling in New Zealand nt the moment over the omission of certain Maori players from the side now touring this country. “Both Harrison and Smith, now with Streatham.' should have been in.” he said “We, as Maoris, feel we have been, to a certain extent, slighted. “But the Maoris made football in New Zealand and are still the big factor. Tne League game is going very strongly in New Zealand just now, find my idea, is to use the experience I get in this country to help' foster the League game when I return. The plan is to organise a number of all-Maori teams to compete in the League, and I hope to be able to give them some assistance.”

RUGBY REFORM

Value of the Potted Goal

Change follows change in the rules of our national games and still the demand for alteration does subside (states the English “Field” in an editorial). Fifty years lienee—perhaps less —it may be almost impossible to recognise some of out popular games as they wore played, with much less fuss, by our predecessors. Rugby football has had its full share of rules revisions in the last few years. Yet suggestions for further radical alterations come from South Africa, whose delegates are to place them before a conference between the Rugby Union and Empire representatives, to be held in London on December 18. These proposals are for a reduction in the number of points awarded for a goal from a fair catch and for a dropped goal. At present three points and four points respectively are awarded. South Africa would like to see them reduced to two points and three points. As the laws stand, the goal from a fair catch is equal in scoring value to a penalty goal or a try. aud on the face of it there is a good case for reduction. The free kick awarded for a fair catch is. in no sense a penalty against the opposing team for an infringement. It merely means that a player has done what players are constantly doing throughout a game—caught the ball from a kick, knockon or throw forward —but has claimed a kick by making his mark in the prescribed way. ' Why', then, should it rank equal to a penalty kick, which is awarded for a definite infringement of the rules, or equal to a try, which in most cases has entailed much skill and hard play to obtain? In practice, however, goals are not very frequently scored from a fair catch, which is claimed more often in defence as a means of putting in a long kick to touch; and there would probably not be very much opposition to a reduction; The argument for a reduction in the value of the dropped goal is more contentious. This has been described as n lucky type of goal, which it certainly is not, for a drop-kick made in the fraction of time usually available demands .considerable skill and judgment. Nor is it right to compare the scoring value of the dropped goal at four points with that of the try at three points, for the try is itself a means to the attainment of five points for a placed goal. The argument for reduction is based mainly on the fact that matches are frequently won by the extra point received for a dropped goal as against a try, and it is considered that a side which cannot force its way over the goal line does not deserve to win bv a mere kick. This sounds logical enough as far as it goes, but it does not take into account the fact that the side scoring a try without converting it has missed a chance which good place kickin, should have turned into five points, nor that-the side attempting to drop a goal has first to make the opportunity and runs the risk of losing their attacking position if the kick is unsuccessful. , It should not be forgotten that the basic object of Rugby football is to score goal and that drop kicking is one of the finest and most spectacular arts of the P’i 1 ?* which it would be a P'ty to discourage bv reducing its rewards. I hose who now question its scoring value should look rather to the decline in the art of pine kicking as a means of converting trie:• Improvement in that direction would quickly restore the balance between and dropped goals.

A Mighty Hitter. What n pity the M.C.O. team did not bring J Smith, the young Middlesex giant professional. with them to New. Zealand Standing well over six feet in: h<-Lht is built on generous propotttioas and - a great all-round player He bowls.las and last season captured 94 wicket. 1 1699 rune for Middlesex, an average ot 18.07. in the county fl!! petition last season. It is. hot ever, a hitter that New Zealanders would hat enjoyed the Middlesex giant. In « ™ match at Harrow after th< Ln JI .wn was over. Smith actually scored I i runs in 53 minutes, hitting nineteen bs With R W. V. Robins, who scored i n out. Smith added 168 for the ten. .wicM , Off one over, Robins scored a - 1 „ ■ ' tSmith hit the remaining five balls tor > Smith hugely delighted the natives of Barbados-when be made some mi J « iov of* the spectators until they "ere surging on to the field, throwing fint. 8 •n the air, dancing and somersaulting.

That’s the Spirit. While wicket-keeping for ( omi « Services at Onerahi (says a \v han„arei correspondent), Walter Lane received a Severe cut about the eye from n u m, ball. He was conveyed to the teciara. ion ground at Whangari, where Dr. S H Ward, who was also playing cricket, inserted four stitches in the wound. La then returned to Onerahi and reetnm. playing.