FORM ON TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 22

FORM ON TOUR

WELLINGTON DO WELL

CANTERBURY COMMENT

Although weakened by the absence of-some half-dozen of its leading players; the.Wellington Rugby team proved too good for Canterbury in the final representative match of the season states the 'Tress," Christchurch. The visitors' big share of possession of the ball was a decisive factor, and,, playing enterprisingly and attractively, they won by 14 points to 8. Each, side scored two tries, but although Wellington's extra points came from goals, it was by far the more impressive team. The game was played in perfect weather, and quite a large crowd was drawn to Lancaster Park by this meeting of provinces which have always been keen rivals. Fast and occasionally spectacular, the match did not disappoint, although supporters of the hbpie team would have welcomed .a bigger contribution r Tto the spectacular elements by the? £^terbury men; Tv expert Booking. X The chances of the Canterbury backs, however, were strictly limited, for in . nO.game this season has the home pack been able to win so small a share of the bail. The Wellington hooker was 'K.--B. Burke, former Canterbury College player, and a member of the Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team in 1935, and he appears to have justified the high promise he showed as a specialist forward when in Christchurch. Apart from expert hooking, however, the Wellington team had the advantage of a forward pack which gave its full weight to the scrums and rucks. F. H. Fraser-Smith, the captain, was a good leader in -the tight work and one of the best .in the line-outs. E. Griffin, until he was injured, and T. Hegglun alsb were.great grafters. An outstanding, forward for his speed and vigoui* in : the loose, S. McNicol, a flank forward, played a brilliant game. G. Wales was usually close in his sup-port..-y V .. ; :^: • BRDtiLIi^NT HALF-BACK. . "The Wellington backs were given a feast of tbe ball, and it would have been poor tactics on their, part not to- attempt many varied irioves. The men. were willing enough to throw ihe ball about and to ?give it a go," but there was not a great deal of thrust in their efforts. This was not altogether surprising considering Ihe n&mber of leading backs who were ■■ ''■"■■ •■ ■ ' --■■'xA y

deep. On one of the very few occasions O'Halloran ran from the scrum a try resulted.

R. Veitch, given this perfect service, made fairly good use of his op"portunities. . He was generally well clear of the Canterbury breakaways when he got the ball, and he beat both Jarman and White severalHimes when they were opposite him. E. Sargisson was usually content to hand the ball on to his centre, L. H. Edwards, quite the most thrustful back in the team. Edwards, who is a North Island representative wing threequarter, has been transferred to Wigram Aerodrome, and may be a big asset to' Canterbury next season. He straightened up the attack very well and frequently broke through ihe. centre. Fortunately for Canterbury, the Wellington wings were not outstanding, although they played soundly; R. Paterson was a very competent full-back. DEFENSIVE WEAKNESSES. Canterbury was unlucky to lose J. A. Hooper at the end of the first half. On the few occasions on which he jeceived the ball with room in which to work, he was very thrustful. Hooper's defence has improved greatly since his visit to Australia, and it will not be surprising if he re-estab-lishes himself next season as one of the Dominion's best five-eighths.

In the defensive role which the Canterbury backs were forced to fill almost throughout the game, C. Saundercoek and F. L. Pearson gave their side great service, the former going down well to forward rushes and the latter tackling brilliantly— often covering' up the mistakes of others. W. Jarman and A. G. Hunter fell below the required defensive standard, the former appearing to be baffled by the great distance Veitch stood off from the scrum. Hunter and W. A. Hadlee both did good things on the rare occasions on which Canterbury was permitted to have the baU. G. T. Nolan, at full-back, played another grand game,, making many good saves and handling and kicking with great accuracy.

The Canterbury forwards rose tq great heights- at the beginning of the second half, and their efforts enabled Canterbury to take the lead. But they could not keep up this hectic pace, and it was not long before Wellington's well-served backs* were again dominating play. The Canterbury captain, F. J. Foley, played one of his games of the season, and was in the thick of the game from start to finish. C. W. Williams, L. Hoirier, and R. Duncan were the best of the others*,