RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1931, Page 20

RUGBY

Bit "Dropkick" MORE ABOUT RULES

SCRUMMAGE DIFFICULTIES

AMENDED LAW EXPECTED

Ono department of Bugby football under the keen eye of legislators is the scrummage. This, of course, is nothing new, but it is evident that at the present time a determined effort is being made to eliminate tho causes of those troubles which occur so frequently in and near tho scrummage. There is also no doubt that the opportunity is being taken to have another "dig" at the wing-forward. As has been pointed out previously by tho writer, the question of revising tho scrummage law has been referred by tho International Board to a special sub-commit-tee. • There has been no end of trouble with the scrummage in the Homo countries, and the authorities have had occasion to call attention many times to the question of having the position improved. By all accounts tho scrummage difficulties wero just as bad last season as previously. It is to be hoped that tho position so far as the game in New Zealand in concerned is not affected adversely by the action in falling into line with the Home countries or in accepting the revised law on the scrummage when it is drawn up. New Zealand, of course, adopts a different scrumma-ge formation from that of other countries, and with it there is the much-discussed wing-forward position. Difficulties in regard to the jSTow Zealand scrummage do not appear to be so great as in the case of tho scrummages as formed in the Home countries, but thero is tho wing-forward and if Mr. Baxter and company could only see the last of Mm they would no doubt be much happier. By playing the game in accordance with the rules —it is admitted that some wingforwards are breakers of the rules, as are other players—the wing-forward is a very important and serviceable .man on a side, and it is a feather in New Zealand's cap to find that the wing-forward is now taking a prominent place in Bugby in the Home countries, where those responsible for employing him must see the value of such a man to a side. £he Auckland. Rule. The writer has always been of the topinion that, in order to curb the activities of those wing-forwards who are prone to do those things which give rise to the adverse criticism, the adoption of the rule which operated in Auckland would be of great advantage. That jule, which cannot now be employed, provided for players not in the scrummage remaining behind an imaginary line throug'i the back of the scrummage. Since the scrummago rule and rulings are now being amended, it would ,be well to make a suggestion to the Home authorities that serious consideration be given to the. Auckland rule. It would even serve to improve matters bo far as the game at Home is concerned. There were many scrummage infringements committed by the British team during its tour of New Zealand last season, and where New Zealand's ■wing-forward very often came in for criticism, there was reason to make the same comment about two or more of the British players, especially in regard to off-side play. One unsatisfactory feature of the British team's play was the putting of the ball into tho scrummage, and this appears to be a general experience in games at home. English Captain's Views. It is of interest to note that W. W. iWakefleld, who was to captain the British team, on its visit to New Zealand, is among those who havo expressed opinions on the subjects in question. Wakefield does not hold ■that the wing-forward is a menace to the game. "The whole trouble in these 'dull and dreary internationals," said the famous English captain, "is duo to the instruction of tho International Board that the ball should be 'placed' in the scrum and not thrown —this is En instruction by the way; it is not in the rule book. 'Putting' the ball into the scrum leads to slow heeling with the result that when the ball has eomo but, the | scrum-half has been immediately smothered. Now because a wingiforward does his work and puts a spoke $n the scrum half's wheel, you must not jblame him for ruining the game. "I agree that the rule governing looking needs redrafting. It is a mathematical impossibility to say when the ball has passed both feet of the outside men. The ball is really fairly in. the scrum as soon as it is in the tunnel. If the ball is thrown in hard and the outside man follows it in with his foot, the result is a quick heel, and then no wing-forward or scrum-half on earth can prevent the "ball being got away to the backs." AVakefield, who is now refereeing, isaid that if he were in charge of an international match, he would stand by the rule book, and not by the instruction of the International Board. "I would advise the serum-half," ho added, "to thrown the ball into the scrum as hard as he could. . I am definitely against any suggestion altering the law which would restrict the opportunities of wing-forwards. If'you made them keep on their own side of the scrum until the Ball is out you would be encouraging slow and slovenly heeling, and surely we don't want to do that." A Local Incident. In the course of the Petone-University match last week the spectators might Lave been excused if they wondered at the cause for the little piece of by-play Jwhen, after a scrum had gone down, Carr |(Petone's wing-forwarti) threw the ball to the referee (Mr. J. B. Benson), who passed it back across the scrum for Carr to send it in turn to Grilfin, the University wing-forward. Some of the onlookers may have noticed that from .then on the ball was placed in every scrum by Griffin until near ■ the end of the game, when Carr again took a share in the matter. The incident was only another example of the uncertainty that exists between players and referees alike as to the exact interpretations of the rules. Caxr failed to satisfy the referee early in the game that he was putting the ball in the scrums fairly, and when he found it, impossible to suit the official lie handed the responsibility over to whoever would take Mr. Benson, of course, declining the privilege. • Down to Hard "Work. An: appreciable improvement in the play of tho Eastbourne forwards put the Hutt pack to a good test at Athletic Park last Saturday, and some fine rushes, as well as speedy following-up, gave the Hutt backs some hard work on defence. All round, however, Eastbourne were not in proper working shape and were beaten.' Thero are signs of Eastbourne moulding into bettor shape, and the reappearance of Dinniss and Bcid with the team should help to bring this about.

Eastbourne's greatest weakness last Saturday was in the five-eighths. A change was made in the second spell, but the result was little better. Coman, a good half on his game, made sonio fine openings, but his play was marred by erratic passing. Fuller came to light with one of those side-stepping stunts of his which carve- holes in the opposition, but as a plaee-ldck he had a day oft". iVith four attempts to land penalty goals ho was not far_ astray, and a little- more- accuracy with his ticks would have made matters none $00 comfortble. for Hutt. No players on Eastbourne's side toil.£(^harder than Price (-wtagrforwaxii)^Ju:

Dollabarca, and Gibbons, and their breakaways were nearly always dangerous. The-se players nro fast and they cover a lot of ground throughout a game, always bent on business. If Hutt have lost a brilliant man in Cooko they have an extremely valuable man in Lilburne to fill tho vacancy. Lilburno was of great service to his side last Saturday, especially on defence when Eastbourne wcro making their strongest efforts. The captain—Lilburne holds that position—played with excellent judgment all through the game, and failed only in place-kicking. Ho used tho line to good purpose, and, handling his side in tho right manner to bring about success, saw to it that the speedy wing-three-quarters were given every opportunity, in tho second spoil especially. Sadler (half), Killccn, Boss, and Hansen all promise well, but Pomare is unfortunate in having to take tho fullback position, as ho had previously shown up well as a centre. Ball, whom the writer regarded as every bit as good as tho New Zealand representative, Hart, last season, is again in fine form. Ho is a tip-top wing three-quar-ter. Quite a solid pack is contributing well to Hutt's successes. -Tho forwards appear to be well coached, and they seem to enjoy hard work to the full. In Coulston and Jaggers (ex-Canterbury representative) they are well served in the matter of hooking the ball. Peck was an absentee last Saturday. Fiye Converted Tries. The only really outstanding feature of the match between Poneke and Athletic, at Newtown Park, was that Poneke's total of 25 points represented five converted tries. The goal-kicking was done by Neal, whose five kicks for ten points was a good performance. Poneke experienced no great difficulty in scoring their comfortable win. After the first fifteen minutes it was an uphill fight for Athletic all tho-way. The task was too great for the team, whose showing was disappointing. The standard of play generally was distinctly below par: Poneko employed spoiling tactics to which Athletic were unable to reply effectively. The tactics were good from Poneke's pointy of view in that they brought a handsome win, but the game as a spectacle was a poor one, and provided little in the way of entertaining football. Organ, J. Shearer, M'Pherson, Jessup, and Diekson showed plenty of ruggedness in' the Poneke vanguard. All played very solidly. Julian, who was injured in tho match against Wellington, was still unable to take his place behind the pack. The Bed and Black backs opened up their play somewhat in the second spell, but their efforts as a, combination were not singularly successful. Griffiths impressed as a coming player. The full-back, Pelham, was never very hard pushed, but whenever he was required ho was on the spot in a capable way. The experimenting that was done among the Athletic backs was a failure, and very largely contributed to the team's heavy defeat. The ball seldom got past the first five-eighths in the first spell, and when an effort was made in the second half to rectify matters by bringing Fitzmaurice up from fullback, in which position, incidentally, he had not been a success, Poneke already had a commanding lead. Added to this, Athletic had the further misfortune towards the finish of the game to lose one of their backs, who was orered to leave the field. To enable the experiments to be made, W. Dustin was one who was asked to stand down, and on the showing of the "new" man who was given a run, Dustin's inclusion would have been, more than justified. At full strength the Athletic forwards —Watson, Berry, and company — have plenty of sting, arrd there is promising young material among the backs. Some perseverance must bo shown towards these youngsters. If that is done it will probably be found to be' more advantageous in the long rim than injudicious chopping and changing of players. It is a pity that the team, with the sprinkling of youngsters, has not tho services of Porter. At the present time a stout-hearted leader is a very real need, and another requirement that would make the team bettor equipped is a good goal-kicker. Porter and Heazlewood are sadly missed. Old Boys and Miramar. After their previous defeats the Old Boys were keyed up to concert pitch for their third appearance of the season, and Miramar went "as a lamb to the slaughter." Although Old Boys scored 13' points in the first half, they by no means had everything their own xvay; as a matter of fact, Miramar held a slight territorial advantage up to halftime. But in the second spell it simply became a matter of how many points Old Boys would compile. Had it not been for a number of missed passes (and surely a senior A team should have mastered the art of clean handling) tho score would have been much more than 30 points in favour of Old. Boys. Miramar have yet to gain that finesse ■which wins games in good company. Their forwards, although light, are good and pack well. In Pinkcrton and Davidge they have two first-class men. The backs are serviceable. Thompson, second five-eighths, acquitted himself particularly well both on attack and defence. Tho two five-eighths would do botter to stand more shallow when defending. The centre can always play comparatively deep so as to intercept a short pun* or cover any break through. The entire Old Boys' pack worked with, a will, the hooking being particularly good. Claridge was never far away from the ball, and well deserved his try in the second spell. Lamason played"one of his best games. Dv Chateau went well behind the scrum. The three-quarter line was in form.' Cromie was responsible for a number of bright episodes and generally managed to send the ball on at the right time, except on o^o glaring occasion during the second spell when, with two unmarked men outside him, ho held on and sacrificed a sure try. Always dangerous, Eushbrook was a thorn in tho 'side of the Miramar defence. To score his first try he used his weight and determination to beat four men. Bushbrook appears to be striking his best form this season. Petone and University. Although there could havo been small cause for dissatisfaction to either side had Petono and University left the field with honours easy, the tenacity of University's defence, and the resolution with which the ability and pace of the rearguard were applied, earned for the students their narrow win. The smothering work of both sides was very effective —there ' was sufficient ability in each set of backs to make it important that their moves should be checked as quickly as possible—but Pacey was more successful in getting his men under way than was his vis-a--vis, Brice, whose transfers were just too slow to give Nicholls and Huxtable the necessary space to work in. Brice lacks nothing in gameness, and is a very promising colt, but he has much to learn regarding tho half-back position. Mackenzie was seen merely as a link in the chain, and his efforts to dummy or side-step his way through for an opening wero Tarely successful, the king-pins in the Green baeklino being Mulvihill and Bamson. Tho former showed a big improvement on his previous week's form, and Eamson was always dangerous, combining pace and weight with sure handling, correct timing of his passes, and an effective swerve and side-stop. His placokicking was not quite as eiFeetivo as it might havo been. Buru, in Maekax's V}&QQ Pn. the left.