SPRINGBOK COMMENT

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 2

SPRINGBOK COMMENT

THE CANTERBURY MATCH. ILLEGAL PLAY ALLEGED. Amazing comments on tho Rugby match Springboks v. Canterbury are macro in tho " Uipe Argus’ of duly 30. Under tho headings ’ surprise Deleat of the bpringboks,’ " (Janteuiury Adapt Thexnservos to tno Muddy Field,’ * [south Africa, with Gerald JMorkel Almost Full [strength,' ‘ Pienaar Makes Fruitless Appeals to tho Referee,’ the special correspondent of the paper travelling with the team cabled as follows from Christchurch alter the match:—

“The Springboks suffered their first reverse of tho. New Zeamna tour to-day, failing to cross the Lantern ury lino ana losing ny 6 points to 4. Tn© result nas exceptional significance, because, with uor aid iUoricei auto once more to play, tiie {Springboks fielded amiost tueir'best international iiiteen, whereas Canterbury did not intiuuo a sing-o piayer chosen to reprosoul Now Zealand in tno first test at Duneum. i£ New Zealand had lost a teat match, the puuuc cuuid not havo been mure surprised than tliey were at to-day a result. Vv hen the ftpringuoka wore selected last evening there was every prospect of tnero being a dry ground, hut there was steady ram during tn© nignt and lorenoon. Hi tho circumstances it was deplorable that tno heaviest forwards were not changed, as tliey were at a great disadvantage in tuo quagmire. The bouth Africans did not snow in© slightest aptitude lor overcoming tho conditions, which, on tlie other hand, tho provincials exploited to the greatest advantage, and undoubtedly they mid much the better of the play, or ratnor oi tho mudiarks into winch tno game developed. Gerald Morkoi alter his forced, rest was terribly slow and uncertain, and on one occasion, harassed by a rush, ho failed' to find touch. Wilson (¥ ford) gathered and crossed tho lino. Ho was, however, held round tho arms by Tindall, and tho try was extremely doubtful. Tho actually asked Wilson (? Ford) it he was over, and, receiving no reply, he awarded a try. Meanwhile a heavy downpour rendered play indistinct from tho stand, and deprived South Africa of much chance of regaining the lead. Attempts to handle tho ball invariably led to Canterbury rushes, who used their boots most effectively. Their backs, wearing gloves, fielded far more effectively than tho Springboks, while Evans _ was positively brilliant on every occasion. “ Towards the close tho referee lost'control of what was a football match in name onlv, and Pienaar’s appeals against illegal anil occasionally foul play wore totally disregarded.” In another part of tho report the following paragraph appears:—■ “ Assisted bv obstructionist tactics of_ the wing forwards, who were rarely penalised, tho active Canterbury forwards revelled in tho soft going.”