IRELAND'S CHANCES

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 22

IRELAND'S CHANCES

BEAT INC THE ALL BLACKS

As has been indicated in article* and comment ■■ already published lit "The, Post,", thei; past season's Rugby" football in the Home countries has been studied closely with a view to the forming of opinions as to prospects when the New Zealand representative^ visit those countries next season. J. P. Jordan, writing in the ''Daily Mail," deals interestingly with the past sea« son's performance and next season's prospects. He writes:—"To me the outi standing lesson ,of the international Rugby season is that Ireland alone impress as a team capable of beating the New Zealanders, who are due here in less than six months' time. New; Zealand have another season in their own country before them, but thejj began to get ready for their tour last year. : ''.'.'....' ''. , ■ "We do not take things so seriously. The idea of looking ahead is seemingly repugnant, and players are chosen just for the job in hand, not for experimental purposes. We refuse to leant our lessons. ; STRIKING FIGURES. "Two visiting New Zealand teams, played 63 matches and won 62, while three South African teams lost only 6 matches out of 81. These figures speak for,themselves. "The late Dr. P. F. McEvedy, president, of the N.Z.R.U., told me when ort a visit here a few months ago that the next team would be particularly strong in front, but not so good behind. As he was judging by New Zealand standards, the remark about the backs need not be taken as meaning that they are poor. He doubted whether they would not go through the tour unbeaten, but a startling change will need .to be made in our ideas of team selection if that is not to happen. England's last pack was built up with solidity foremost. Having decided ,upon a 'solid* front row, an even more 'solid' second row was the next aim, and the middle of the back row had to be occupied by; another forward of 'solid* physique. NOT QUICK ENOUGH. "Unfortunately brawn and muscle was not allied to quickness of brain, and while getting possession of the ball was easy it stopped at that, and the wingers failed to give their backs any support in the open. Most people refuse to believe that the forwards at Murrayfield were the. best England could produce. Lack of pace on the English wings has been another fault, and the idea of playing three centres so that they could be interchanged proved disastrous. Let us hope for a' different policy in regard to both forwards and backs next season. "Ireland proved what can be done by, quick breaking and following up, supported by wholehearted tackling. Tha sparkle of the whole Irish team was refreshing, and as they are young they should .develop into a great side.; J. J. O'Connor, A. Bailey, G. J. Morgan, V. A. Hewitt, J. A. Siggins, S. Walker, S. Deering, and J. Russell are players any country would bo glad to possess. "What I have said about the English forwards applies even more so to the Welsh. There are lively forwards in Wales, but the selectors started off with a dull and heavy pack and refused to look favourably upon any other. As their experience has been disappointing they may avoid making the mistake again, but selectors have their owu views, and one'must not be too; optimistic. A SHOCK IN SCOTLAND? "As regards Scotland their selectors for once overcame their innate conservatism and discovered that R. W. Shaw was a match-winner at stand-off half. I With him and W. R. Logan in partnership Scotland need not look further for their half-back pair, and if W. C. W. Murdoch fulfils his promise, and another forward or two of the stamp of J. Beattie, J. A: Waters, or L. B. Lambie can be found, the New Zealanders may, get a shock in their first international on November 23. "But Ireland's prospects are the besU*.