RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 68, 29 September 1928, Page 22

RUGBY

Br ' Orop <■<_«"• RUN OF SUCCESS

LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES SOUTHERN TOUR RECORD Tho Wolliugtou Rugby Union's 192S ' season ended last Saturday with tho completion of the representative engagements with other provinces and a part interest in tho match between the Maoris and New South Wales. Wel'■iagton's final interproviucial game was ~rAs«9 kS Christchurch, and resulted iv a wii over Canterbury, to givo Wellington its best record ou a. tour in the South Island. This season all four matches in the South Island were won, 'a' feat which has not previously been accomplished by a Wellington touring, . toaru, although tho teams of 1897 and 1909 were unbeaten in the. three games which then made up tho southern tour engagements. Apart from tho -special match with Ta'ranaki, played at Ha--wera,during the Winter Show there, Wellington has met only one defoat in representative games this season, so that local football, judged from results in the representative games, is not so bad as it has been painted. If the standard of play hero has uot been quite up to the mark, it evidently compares more than favourably with that in most of the other centres. The record is a good one for the selector (Mr. J. N. .Millard) and for tho players, and they are to be congratulated upon coming through the season, playing more matches away than at home, with such measure of success. Interest in club and representatives games in Wellington has been woll maintained; in fact, the attendances at senior championship games showed an increase upon those registered last year, when the season was looked upon financially as a very successful one. This, support is, of course, good encouragement to tho controlling body, which is to be commended upon its action in going right ahead with the long-promised new stand. Public and players should find their needs well suppiled for future seasons. Wellington's record in representative matches for tho season is as follows: — t. Taranaki, at Hawera, lost 6-9. v. Auckland, at Wellington, won 17-13. y. Wairarapa, at Carterton, lost 3-9. v. Manawhenua, at Levin, won 28-26. V. Taranaki, at Wellington, won 20-17. y. Hawlces Bay, at Wellington, won 11-8. ' y. South.Canterbury, at Timaru, won. 28-17. v. Otago, at Dunedin, won 22-9. v. Nelson, at Wellington, won 19-14. v. Southland, at Invercargill, won 19-15. V. Canterbury, at Christchurch, won - 14-7.... ... Tho Southern Tour. The, performance of the Wellington team on the southern tour came as a very pleasant surprise. Quite a number of players were unable to go south and during the edurso of the tour the team suffered rather heavily in the matter of injuries. Mishaps in one game left the' team so badly off for backs that Wilson (forward) had to fill a back position. For 'the final match of tho tour, that with Canterbury at Christchurch last Saturday, the reduced playiug strength necessitated the dispatch of Foley and Mackay from Wellington to assist the team. Porter and Mackenzie, who had been with the New Zealand team, joined up with Wellington prior to the Southland match. The team's first engagement on the southern tour was with South Cantorbury at Timaru.' In'a report of this match it is stated that the ground in parts was very hard, and at the conclusion of the game players were suffering from injuries to arms and legs. Tho visitors fielded a fairly heavy pack, and with their hookers gaining possessionem most of the serums, the speedy baeklino was able to -keep the home side- busy. Although'the visitors lost Petersen (five-eighth) early in the game, Moore proved an able substitute, and ho and Chancy, given a liberal supply, of the ball by Leys, were seen in a number of movement*, which constituted the few bright spots in the game. Elliott, on the left wing, was given more chances than Broderick, but both gave impressive displays, the tackling of the latter being very sound. Shearer was prominent throughout the afternoon in the forwards, while, Sly, Potts, and M 'Phorson were also prominent. It was stated in regard to tho match with Otago at Dunedin that the performance was not up to standard. " Wellington certainly deserved to win on the day," ono report stated, "not because the team was a good one, but because most of its players possessed moro initiative than their opponents and were able to profit by their mistakes." Southland, who had a splendid record, and who claimed to have "the best pack in New Zealand," provided the next opposition for the touring team, and it was in this match that Wellington's representatives gave a real taste of> their qualities. "Southland was beaten fairly and squarely by a better team," one paper stated. "For the first time this season the Maroon pack was second to its opponents." It was added that every man in tho Wellington pack was a footballer, consequently fewer mistakes were made or opportunities lost. Each member proved to be a good handler, too, and knew just when to open up play for - the backs or keep the ball at toe. The same paper states that Pickering, Mackenzie, and Leys were the pick of an even and moderate set of backs comprising Wellington's rearguard. All showed paco, but their handling was poor at times. Heazlowood's full-back play was splendid. Porter led a good pack well. He was guilty of shepherding at times, but not once was he penalised for offside play. Sly, Shearer, and M'Lean were outstanding in lino-out work. Players' Record. Playors selected as Wellington representatives took part in games as follows, the match with Nelson not bomg included:—Shearer and Sly, nine games (missing only tho first match with Taranaki); Chancy and Wilson, eight; Coman, Mackenzie), and Peterson, seven; Broderick, Heazlewood, Porter, and Williams, six; Jossup, Mackay, Kanison, o'Began, Blacker, and M'Lean, five; Coulston, Edgar, Claridge, • Graham, Leyt, Pickering, and Potts, four; Brown, Cnrriming,' Elliott, and Moore, three; and Foley and M'Pherson, two. The individual scoring record was as follows: —Heazlewood (4 penalty goals, 7 goals "from tries), 26 points; Shearer (4 tries, 5 goals from tries), 22; Ramson (1 try, 3 penalty goals, 4 goals from tries), 20; Pickering and Sly (each 4 tries),'l2 points; Coman (2 trios, 1 penalty goal), Porter (3 tries), and Mackay (3 tries), each 9; Elliott, Broderick, and Wilson (each 2 tries),' 6; Peterson (1 potted goal), 4; Blacker, Brown, Chancy, Claridge, Edgar, Graham, M'Pherson, O'Eegan, and Potts (each 1 try), 3. New South Wales Tour, The visit of "tho New South Wales team gave quite a bright touch to football in New Zealand this season, the young touring team giving a fino account of itself. 'It wus indicated at the outset of tho tour that tho visitsag players, wore out to play the open

game, and their intention was woll .fulfilled. They were' not representative of the full strength of New South Wales. Rugby, and for that reason tho -excellent showing, made on the tour points to the.fact that Rugby in New South Wales is making exeolleut progress. Tho experience gained by the young players on this tour should be of groat value to the game in New South Wales, and it can be expected that in future seasons there will be somo hot opposition for New Zealand teams from that ■ quarter. - New Zealand, of course, was unable to produeo its full strength against tlio visitors, but tho teams which were fielded might have been a good deal better with the material on hand. In the first two Tests the performance of the New Zealand team was far below standard, and on the run of play tho visitors were unlucky to loso those games. Their win in tho final Test was well earned. One of tho games of tho tour to which followers looked forward very eagerly was that with the Maoris at Wellington last Saturday. With tho conditions right, it was expected that this would bo one of the best games of tho season, with both sides throwing the ball about in. a manner character istic of them. It was a great disap: poihtment, therefore, to find the -day' quite unsuited to" the occasion. Play-, ing conditions' were, in fact, atrocious. But the teams made the best of them,,, and they came through the ordeal with' a very creditable performance. Com;; ment on play and players has already, been made in "The Post." The record of the New South Wales team on the tour is as follows:— v. Auckland, won 19 to S. v. Wanganui, won 20 to 16. v. Ilawkes Bay, won 19 to G. v. New Zealand, lost 12 to 13. v. New Zealand, lost 14 to 10. v. Southland, lost 26 to 31. v. New Zealand, won 11 to S, v. Marlborough, won 27 to 15. v. Maoris, lost 8 to 9. v. Wairarapa, lost 10 to 17. Summary: —Matches played; 10, won 5, lost 5. . ■ .'•■ "Porter's Triumph." The headlines to another account bf the Wellington-Southland match include: " Southland's Waterloo —Porter's Triumph." The report states, inter alia, that it was a case of "the best pack in New Zealand" attempting to play another fine pack and ; a speedy line of backs at the same time; for the Maroon rearguard was, as ,la unit, very weak indeed—the weakest representative combination seen on Eugby Park for some time—and failed repeatedly to take advantage of opportunities made by their forwards. The Wellington ' backs did not combine to any great degree, but they assisted Porter to ■ counter-balance the advantage gained by the Southland vanguard; The game throughout was dominated, and, to a certain extent,. marred, by the methods adopted by this one player, proclaimed by Northern scribes as "the main reason for the abolition of, the wing-forward in New Zealand Rugby.", To him must be given most of the credit for. his team's victory. The Maroon pack played a wonderful gamo, but even this must rank second to Porter's individual display. He harried the Red backs, 'shepherded" his own, fed his hookers, "worked points on the referee," time after time extricated his. side from awkward positions, and generally gave the most prominent exposition of the wing-forward game ever seen in Invercargilh—Despite the kick in'this comment, tho tribute to Porter is a very fine one, indeed. "Dropkick" recognises in Porter one of the best and most conscientious players ever seen on the field, and is satisfied that in filling a .difficult role Porter has always acted honestly. Ho has como in for much unfair criticism, particularly that dealing with him as an off-side player. Many of the penalties for scrum infringements not committed by the wing-forward have been' credited.-, against Porter. - „.;•. The report of the Southland match also states that, aided by a plentiful supply of ball, the visiting backs showed up in some nice movements, but did not impress as a dangerous line, their handling being at times very faulty. Leys fed his backs well, and Mackenzie and Pickering made somo fine openings. Heazlewood was' the outstanding back on the ground. ' His fielding, rushstopplng, and kicking were first-classr Shearer and Sly led tho tall packmen well, both shining in lino-out . work.. Porter, was^.of course, always tho pre,-, siding genius. Win Over Canterbury. From roport% of the Canterbury match there can be no doubt that Wellington deserved their win at Christchurch last ..Saturday. It is said that the Wellington players exploited;.- the open style of play to the fullest extentr With regard to individual performance one paper states: Heazlewool, at fullback, played a very capable game for Wellington in this position. He was cool and collected, and generally kept his position well. He fielded and handled the ball well, and most of his kicks wer good. In Mackay and Broderick,, the visitors had a couple of fast wing-three-quarters, who required a great deal of watching. Both showed dash and enterprise, though perhaps lacking: in experience. Pickering was very fair' at centre-three-quarter. He made a number of good runs. Foley at second five-eighths was one of the best of the visiting backs. His penetrating runs, especially... in the first spell, were a good asset to his side. ' Mackenzie was sound at fir3t five-eighths, and Leys behind the scrum let his backs have the ball whenever opportunity offered. Although a bit inclined to get off-sido,. Porter was the best of the Wellington forwards in the loose. He made several fine solo, rushes, and was at the head of most of the dribbling movements of the visiting forwards. Of the serum men, Wilson was in the thick of the struggle the whole time, and Shearer and-M'Lean also played good games. A Fine Full-back. In another account of the Canterbury match, it is stated that Heazlewood played a superb game at full-back in Wellington. With all due doferenco to Mehrtens, who is a young player arid who has gono very quickly to tho front, it is difficult to see how the New Zoaland selectors for the games against New South Wales overlooked the claims, of Heazlewood. He is one of tho best, if not tho best, full-back seen on Lancaster Park this season. On Saturday Heazlewood handled and field the ball well, and his kicking was also good." The Wellington three-quarter line showed enterprise, but at times they did not get very far on account of fairly sound defence on the part of Canterbury (states tho same paper). In Mackay and Broderick, the visitors possessed a eouplo' of fast wing-three-quarters, who showed plenty of speed when the opportunities came their way. For the greater part of the time both required careful watching, and they were generally sound on defence. ..At centre-three-quarter for Wellington, Pickering showed a lot of dash. He was to the fore in many passing movements, running straight and determinedly. On attack Foley was one of the most sparkling of, the Wellington, backs.".;He wrs second five-eighths, and once or twice he made penetrating runs, which left the opposition standing. Foley wasone of the host of the Wellington bstcksC Mackenzie played a solid game at first five-eighths for Wellington. Leys'went well behind the Wellington serum.-He made the best use of the opportunities that -eamo his way, getting the ball away quickly and cleanly- from the scrum whenever the opportunity offered. In tho loose, Porter was the outstanding forward, for Wellington. He played a fine dashing game, and show-' cd great energy throughout. He • ledmost of the forward rushes of Welling-

ton, and ho was also responsible for somo fine solo dribbling movements. The majority of the Wellington scrum forwards played well, but the best of them were Wilson, Shearer, and M'Lean. Time Off for Football. In a report relating to tho attendance at the match botween Pretoria and Now Zealand it was stated that Civil servants enjoyed a half-holiday by virtue of a circular issued to all Departments announcing ■ that those who "might be spared" could attend tho match. The Controller and Auditor.General, Mr. J. do Villiers Roos, afterwards threw a brick into the millpond of the Civil Service, in Pretoria and gave a nasty jar to the Public Service Commission by the issue of a circular asking all; Departments to give information as to the number of o cers, .stationed at Pretoria, who had been ■ released' for a portion of the day to attend the Test match between' South Africa and New Zealand at Johannesburg and the Pretoria-New Zealand match. Replies from some Departments have already been sent indicating that leave had been granted to officers on condition that the time thus taken off was.made up in some other way (states a South African paper), but to the majority of Departments . the circular 'has coino as a most unpleasant surprise, particularly in view of the fact that the Public Service Commission had issued a circular giving permission to "all those"who could bo spared to attend the matches." As on previous occasions, many officers were fortunate in finding themselves easily spared, and hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of attending the Test and alsp the Pretoria match. It is significant that most of the heads of tho Departments attended the Pretoria match, most of the Ministers of the Cabinet,, and many Civil sorvants. Mr. de Villiers Boos himself was there. It is presumed that Mr. Roos will now,appoint a number of men to get up a statistical return showing exactly what the country lost by the unofficial holidays of many Public Servants. All tho Departments will appoint men to draw up returns for the information of Mr. Roos, and the next report of the Controller and Auditor-General will contain another little tit-bit. Third Test Impressions. - Views on the third Test botween South Africa and New Zealand were given by Mr. H. W. Carolin, former South African international, as follows:: — ■- -"-Tho forward play was tho greatest I have seen in any game. The All Blacks' forwards in the loose woro perfectly wonderful, and reached a -height I never thought possible They seem to hunt in 3's and apparently tho man in possession, without looking to right •or left, throws away tho ball and a man is always there to take it. In fixed scrums the Springbok pack was as good as it was possiblo to be. ; :"M. Brownlie was the finest forward on the ground. He initiated tho last movement in the closing stages of tho game. This took some starting, and it was truly a grand effort to retrieve ■a lost: position. Next to Brownlie, Mostert was the best forward, and I must then single out Daneel. Three forwards out of fifteen of the best I have seen! M.The New Zealanders taught us two things:—(l) Looso work, and always being on, the ball. (2) Superb line-out .play. As regards tho latter, unless you watch closely you do not roaliso how great it is. Absolute earo is taken by the man throwing in tho ball, and it is sent' in in such a way that only tho man for whom it is intended jumps for it: J- -"So much for tho bright side. Now for the reverse of tho picture. Tho backs, except for the full-backs and P. de Villiers, whd were really good, were not anything like up to international standard. The All Black attack's ineffectiveness in the centre was due entirely to the fact that they lined too "straight".' "As regards the rover I feel most strongly. He breaks three rules. Firstly he is offside Very ofton; secondly, he fouls tho opposing, forwards; thirdly he always infringes tho law by hooking the ball. It is absolutely farcical to have rules if they aro only recognised "ihHheir breach. It is ruining . the game." N6t Much In It! v In commont on the third Test, Springboks v. All Blacks, played at Port Elizabeth, F. M. Howard had the following to say: — "Saturday's vital Test was certainly 'favoured by the weather, for the conditions were perfect at tho time, whoreas there had been a good deal of wind during the week. It would be —I feel absolutely convinced, as must all those who saw the mateh —most unwise for South Africa now to consider tho final Test as already won. "There was really ycry little in it between the two sides at Port Elizabeth, and yet the Springbok forwards, halves, and full-back all played really well—as did the throe forwards in defence. Alley, after his recent bad bout of.influenza, faltered in the vital position of lock in the New, Zealand scrummage during the second half, and that fact' probably had not a little to do with the slight but sufficient ascendancy maintained by the Springbok pack in the late stages—a superiority which just decided.;the result. "Soirjth Africa will have to give of her best, and to go on to the field "Imbued with real determination to win at Newlands. Any overconfidence would be fatal. ''Provided the home country , gives ;of .her very best, South Africa should make sure on her own 'lucky ground of a final, decisive 3 to 1 triumph in the rubber, however well New Zealand, plays. The All Blacks, while taking their defoat in a most sporting spirit, are by no means convinced after Saturday's match that they are not defiitelythe better side. It is as certain as anything can be that they will take tho field at Newlands with the feeling that they have a very distinct chance of victory. "I would like tb add a special reference to the play of Bennie Osier. Less obviously in tho limelight than at Durban-; he nevertheless played a really masterly and most invaluable game, and gave every possiblo assistance to his tired backs, as well as to his forwards." Notes. ' ' AU over New Zealand flic souvenir of "the All Blacks' visit" produced by the. "Cape Times" intaglio and issued with the daily on 26th May, has been received with admiration. Many appreciative references have reached us (states ,the "Cape Times"). Some of ,them comment on the result of the first "ITisf.'and congratulate South Africa on her victory.' Mr. F. E. Sutherland, who was president of..tho Auckland •Rugby Referees' Association, considers 1 that. the touring executive "practically signed away their right to play their own stylo of. wing-forward play even with limitations." Mr. Sutherland further urges that the referees' association (or society) of any touring country Should be directly represented on such ..tour by au active rcforco With author-. ity.to discuss tho many varying .situations that arise in different countries. ; vDe Jongh, Springbok wing-three-quar- - terj-b.ad"his nose broken when playing in tho third Tost with the All Blacks.