RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 261, 2 August 1939, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

South African Views On 1940 Tests TEAM BUILDING Three Key Positions May Cause Concern ( By Quidnunc, i In spite of their outstanding successes during the tour of New Zealand in 193 1, the .South Africans still have a wholesome respect for New Zealand footballers. This opinion obtrudes itself after reading numerous articles in South African newspapers by players who toured with the magnificent 1937 side, and by experienced critics and administrators. Anyone would think from these articles that all .South Africa did during the tour was to fiddle while New Zealand burned. Today the administrators, players and critics of our sister Dominion are more concerned over the replacement of three or four Test players of 1937 t,han New Zealand appears to be over finding replacements for some eight players who participated in 1937, but who today have either retired or will not be available for next year’s tour. Says David McGonigal, a keeu South African student of the game, in a recent issue of “The Outspan”: “Our fellows who were over there in 1937 were satisfied that though the back opposition was not up to the recognized New Zealand standard, there was any amount of talent, and that by the time 1940 arrived there ought to be very fine material from which to chose a capable side. All this tends to the view that our visitors of next year will be a formidable crowd. . . . “Let us suppose that in the back division they find that the material at their disposal has improved in two years in accordance with the ideas of our own players who were against them in 1937. Then they will be in a position to send to us a most formidable party of players with that perfect blend of experience and youth that is so desirable in any touring side.” Mr. McGonigal, however, does not entirely agree with the opinions of players and criticsewho toured New Zealand. The type of football played by the South Africans in New Zealand was continued in the series of games against the British team last year. He says: “Throughout last season and so far this season that type of game has been played and improved out of all knowledge. We have made speed the keynote of our game with attack the best method of defence.” Mr. McGonigal then goes on to review the talent available. He points out that last season South Africa had as fullbacks Brand, Turner and Smith. At centre there were De Wet, Lochner and Turner, while on the wings there were Williams, Turner and Bester. At flyhalf was Tony Harris, and at half Danie Craven. In the forwards there were Boy and Fanie Louw and Lotz in the front row, Sheriff and Bergh as locks, Bastard, Ben du Toit and Apsey on the flanks and Strachan as eighth man. Of these 18 players only three were missing this season. They were GerryBrand, Boy Louw and Danie Craven. Of the party that went to New Zealand and not mentioned in the sides that met Great Britain, in last season’s Tests, the following were still going on with the fine work: Dendy Lawton, Pat Lyster, J. A. Broodryk, “Koffie” Hofmeyer, Danie van de Vyver, Mauritz van den Berg, George van Reenen and C. B. Jennings. The only note of warning struck in the whole article is in the important fact that key positions have to be filled. A replacement has to be found for Brand at full-back, for Craven at half-back, and for the bard pushing and effective Boy Louw in the front row. Turner _ is playing So brilliantly on the left .wing it would be a pity, in the opinion of the writer, to move him to full-back. Still there is any amount of useful talent available. Another de Villiers, Apie, looks a prospect for the scrum half position, but it is here that South Africa will have her greatest problem. It appears, from the various comment, that there are no Danie Cravens or Pierre de Villiers in sight. “Flappie” Lochner, who was nominated for the trials before the 1937 tour as a scrum half, is put forward as a most likely prospect who is simply wasting his brilliance and energy as a centre three-quarter, though it is admitted he did well in New Zealand, and is playing just as well again this season. All the foregoing proves one thing. In South Africa a forward is as good as he plays. Advancing age is not regarded as likely to prejudice a player for a position in the team. C. B. Jennings at 23 was the youngest packman in New Zealand along with George van Reenan. Ben du Toit was 24, and all the rest were 25 or over up to 34. Nel and Boy Louw, the two oldest players, have retired. The remainder are two years older now, and taking those wh o played against Great Britain last season as a guide, ages this season range from Ben du Toit at 26 through Bastard, 8. C. Louw, Lotz, and Sheriff to Strachnu und IV. F. Bergh at 31. Will these Springboks have slipped by 1940 That is the question. Representative Fixtures. Representative Rugby begins in earnest this month and followers of the game will have plenty to interest them both here and elsewhere. On Saturday Otago play the postponed Ranfurly Shield challenge with Southland. A fortnight later they will step out at Athletic Park in the first match of their North Island tour, in which they will meet Wellington. Wellington. in the meantime, will have completed her championship programme with the exception of possibly the National Mutual Cup fixture and one or two lower grade competitions which are at present in a most interesting stage.' Lower grade representative matches will also be played on August 12, 19 and 26, and a representative team selected from the senior second division is scheduled to play Nelson on August 12. The fixtures are as follows August 12: Nelson v. Senior Second Division representatives; Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade Clubs v. Colleges. August 19: Otago v. Wellington, Athletic Park; Wellington Junior Representatives v. Wairarapa Juniors, Wairarapa ; Wellington Third Grade Representatives v. Horowhenua, Wellington. August 26: Canterbury v. Wellington, Athletic Park; Wellington Junior Representatives v. Manawatu Juniors, Wellington. Standard of Junior Rugby. The standard of junior Rugby in Wellington this season has been higher than for some seasons, principally through the abandoning of the old senior B competition, and some really fine games have been staged. Among the forwards there are many players destined to make a quick

advance into senior ranks, while there are a number of very promising centre field backs. With the exception of a few players already promoted to senior status, notably Dow of Oriental, the standard of first five-eighth play has not been as inspiring as it. was last season and the season before, when Jack Fitzgerald, of Mnrist Bros.’ Old Boys, and Milton Thomas, now of Hawke’s Bay, were fielded in those positions. All the best of- last season's third and fourth grade inside backs have already made their way through to senior first or second division status. This is particularly noticeable in connexion with last season’s fourth grade representative city and suburban five-eighths, all of whom are now playing senior football with the exception of one who has had to give up the game through ill-health. They arc Johns, of Poneke, and Fairburn and Ryan, of Petone. College Match Postponed. Because of the heavy state of the Wellington College ground, the annual match between Wellington College and St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream, which had been arranged for this afternoon, has been postponed till Tuesday next, at 2.45 p.in. THE WELLINGTON TEAM (To the Editor.) Sir, —In view' of the overwhelming victory of Wellington against Ashburton in the Rugby game played last Wednesday afternoon, I cannot allow this opportunity to go by without expressing my dissatisfaction over the selection of the Wellington team. It is beyond me to follow the method the selector uses when choosing his players. Looking through the personnel of the team, it was indeed, in many respects, truly a representative side. I am at a loss, however, to see why the selector persistently selects Wright, Taylor, Tindili and Lambourn for a game which again proved to be unimportant insofar as Rugby supremacy is concerned. As’ I am a keen follower of Rugby football and.one who has witnessed all the senior games played in and around ■Wellington, it amazee me that the selector has not observed, or even given consideration to, players whom I have seen playing really outstanding football. I refer to Dwyer (Oriental), Thomas and Ingpen (Marist), Sargisson (Hutt), Posselt and Mart (Eastbourne), and Muir (Onslow). Surely the selector must realize that it is the ambition of all Rugby players to attain higher honours, but what incentive is there for them when the selector cannot go beyond our outstanding All Black representatives mentioned previously? It must be remembered that Sadler displaced Kilby, Tindili replaced Sadler, so what possible chance has Dwyer to display his ability if not given the opportunity? The same could apply to Thomas and Ingpen, who, with a given ■opportunity, could quite possibly displace Taylor and Lamibourn respectively. Donoghue. (Petone) has been playing attractive football this season but, since his selection as emergency in the Marlborough match, has not attracted the attention of the selector for future games. . If J am permitted to ask, why is it necessary for the selector to choose twothirds of his team from three senior clubs when there are tvyelve senior teams in the grade, together with nine second division teams? Surely the selector agrees that every club possesses a “star” in its teams, and it is his duty, with his unbounded knowledge at his disposal, to find that “star.” I do not agree with the selection of representative teams a week before the game is to be played. What opportunity have new members to get acquainted with one another’s pjay? Inside gymnasium practice is not in keeping with the setting up of a good combination. This can only be achieved iby outside play in a floodlit ground, and in all classes of weather. I consider that at least a ’fortnight’s notice should be given to nominated players. 1 notice that most players mentioned above have been chosen to play for the Public Service against a Wellington representative side. I trust that the selector avails himself of the opportunity of witnessing this game.. Summing up the position, it appears to me that the selector is afraid of “Defeat.” but allow me to remind him that the sporting fraternity of this city cau accept defeat in the same manner as they can recognize victory. Once again thanking you for your valuable space,—l am, etc., MliilvL-L.