"A DELIBERATE CHEAT"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 11

"A DELIBERATE CHEAT"

.OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM

(By Teleoraph.)

(Special t: "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day

The manager of the British, Kugby team is an outspoken critic when he deems it necessary, and bis comments on the wingfonvard as played in New Zealand are almost startling in their frankness. At New Plymouth on Saturday Mr. Baxter went so far as to describe players in this lniichdiscussed position as "deliberate cheats." This is putting the case too strongly, and the condemnation no doubt will be hotly debated in Rugby Union circles. Mr. Baxter softens his remarks by stating that he has not come to New Zealand to criticise, but rather to endeavour to have Rugby playe_d in the same style throughout the Empire. In.this effort he should have the whole-hearted co-operation of the Dominion authorities.

Alterations to rules and wing-forwards have"been strongly condemned overseas, and New Zealand has never been free from criticism in this respect. The wiyig-for-ward, indeed, has many critics in'his own country. On the question of rules, however, there is much to be said for the Auckland contention that in order to hold public support the game requires to be brightened. The British view and the view of many in New Zealand do not coincide. This is scarcely to bo wondered at, since conditions in Britain and those in the Dominion aro very different. Friendly discussions between the two countries" will be welcomed, and if those who control the destinies of Kugby in New' Zealand are able to convince Mr. Baxter that there are two sides to every question his visit for this alone will have been well worth while. Up to the present a large majority of British authorities has been able to appreciate only its 'own viewpoint.