Rugby Football

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 22

Rugby Football

By "Dropkick."

At the end of another season one is again forced to the conclusion that the general standard of Rugby football in this country has slipped. Ever since tie traditional 2-3-2 scrummage formation was jettisoned and the wing-for-ward, (as ii player detached from the scrummage) abolished, New Zealand's national gam'o has 'been drifting—a downward drift as yet unchecked. If any sharp reminder of the fact was needed it was given in the sound defeat administered by Australia in the first of the two Tests in Sydney this season, but the evidence has been apparent in all classes of matches here. "Where is the devastating rucking play of the t past? Where is the effective scrum- ' niaging with its sharp, clean hooking of the ball? Whero Is the ineisiveness of the inside-back play so striking under the old order? AVhoro are those brilliant combined passing bouts by the whole line of backs with the- wing-throe-quarters as consistent scoring men? Those and many other features of New Zealand's epecialised game arc rarely s,een nowadays, and Rugby, one time a treat to watch and to play, is now tho poorer as a spectacle and not what it was as a game. It was claimed by those who .supported tho changes that scrummaging would improve, that the five-eighths' play would bo all the better for the absence of tho wing- ' forwards, that there would be improved service (hooking) from tho scrummage, and so on. BACK TO THE OLD GAME. At the time of the changes the writer, doubted whether they would be for. the good of tho game in New Zealand, and experience has proved that, far from having iinprovefy the standard of play has deteriorated. It cannot bo said that the players are not still being produced. They are as plentiful us ever, if not more so. Tho reason for tho drift must be put down to the changing of what was a delightfully attractive game, the effectiveness of which was acknowledged not only hero but in other countries. Tho sooner New Zealand gets back to the old game, which, of course, can be played without any alteration to existing rules, tho better it will be. Of what has been happening a keen enthusiast put the position in a nutshell in repeating what was heard in tho recent

Tests with Australia: "The All Blacks are now in Australia's twenty-five. Hadley hooks the ball; it goes from Corner, to Page, to Oliver, to Caughey, to Bullock-Douglas. Play is no\v at halfway." That is just by way of illustration of the drift. WING-FORWARD PLAY. In another respect New Zealand stands to be beaten at its own game, as practised before the changes. A warning of this possibility was given by the. writer at the outset of the season in pointing out that the -wing-forward was now regarded in England as a match winner; To be beaten by the wingforward when in England next year would be, it was suggested, something to write home about.' But it has happened long before the big tour is undertaken. Here was a note worthy of. more than passing attention in the cabled report of tho recent first Test in Australia: "Thereafter the ball rarely seemed to go into tho scrums correctly, and the Australian breakaways were playing the old-style wing-forward game to perfection." It is time that there was a realisation of tho fact that other countries aro now profiting by adopting .special features of New Zealand's grand game of the past. And it is high time that tho remains of that game wore taken from the melting pot and used as a basis of construction on lines leading back to the traditional New Zealand game.

GAME AFFECTED BY CHANGES

NEED FOE CHECKING!; A DEIFT

always when the opposition is hardest. McLean, we are told, would hardly bo noticed in club games in Brisbane. Did you see him in the Tests? Keluhcr played better for Australia than he has boon doing with Manly. They are the right type. They noeel the big demand on them. While others arc dwarfed, their stature increases with the occasion. Not for years have we had a pair of such* bold, free, and completely satisfying wingers, and Australia is fortunate to bo able to anticipate their services for some years to come.

Ross and Malcolm, champions whcrocver they have played to the lasting credit of Australia, in NewZealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Trance, anil South Africa, will tour no more. AYe must replace them and others, too, with the courage and ability that they had. and, in our regret at their passing from the stage, we are consoled by the thought that there is no dearth of men worthy and ready to carry on. Lewis is definitely promising, and, with lvelahor and McLean, wo have three young backs of high class, able in attack, and defence. Hodgson, White, and Bridle, each, of different type, will form the nucleus of the pack, and, around whom to build, there could be nono bettor than those fiery and virile throe representative in their youth of Australia's highest forward form. Storey, Richards, Broadhead, arc a, feunames that come to mind in a vision of the future. Any Union enthusiast can name several more, with leave, also, to venture beyond those who have gained representative honours this season. There need be no fear about the future of Australian football.

For the methods of the selectors the best recommendation is the winning of tho cup. They have worked and planned long and unselfishly, and they deserve the sincere thanks of everybody cunnectod with the game. They have not neglected youth, but it might be questioned' Whether they have given tho colts full encouragement and recognitou throughout tho season. It may bo that one expects too much, that ono exaggerates tho importance of youth, but if the emphasis is too strong, it is surely in the right place. Young players' have resilience of. spirit and body. They dare, and, in daring, defy failure. Ability is essential, of course, but if the edges, need polishing, the highest finish will be attained in tho highest company. The remedy for inexperience is obvious; they can only start once and it might be pointed out that,