RUGBY RULES

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1929, Page 12

RUGBY RULES

IRISH INTERNATIONAL’S YIEWS.

“After seeing New Zealand Rugby played under amended rules one can easily understand why New Zealand did not win the rubber in the South African test matches, and it is equally ecrtain that unless New Zealand players apply themselves with diligence to the eight scrum there will be some moanings and lamentations in the All' Black camp at the conclusion of the Rugby test games with Britain next year. In England we play the game for the game’s, sake, not for the specThis was. said by Dr M. J. Bulger, surgeon on the Tamaroa, and in- his day an Irish International wing threequarter, who played against the first All Black team to leave these shores, the 1888 Maori side. ' Passionately fond of the game, Dr Bulger went to Eden Park, Auckland (says the “Star”), and he came away with the feeling that pure unalloyed Rugby, with eight scrummagers down, as the British teams play, is far the better game. Pictures of English forwards sweeping down the field with the ball well under control, of forwards who team in the best style, and who know how to scrummage, were painted in vivid colours by the doctor. The All Black full-back next year will not be up against forwards who kick hard and give him plenty of time to find a gap to kick to, he said. . , Dr Bulger mentioned many points about the Grammar-Training College match on Saturday. “There was no versatility about Grammar’s line-out play,” he said. “They never once varied their methods, and they persisted in playing to the one man —L. Knight. When that happens, it is the easiest thing in the world for him to lose the ball, for he needs only a tap on the elbow. . There was never once a long throw-in to give the backs an opportunity to start a scoring movement. I could not understand the referee penalising the Grammar forwards when they wheeled the scrum,” said the doctor.

Th© old international thought it was an entirely wrong plan for the referee to put the ball in the scrum. He could not see whether the hookers were lilting, and often the ball went clean through the scrum without being hooked.

“AN ABOMINATION.” “This kick into touch rifle is/ an abomination. Butler, on Saturday, in the face of fierce attack, cleared beautifully, but because he was not in. his own twenty-five play went back to the spot where he kicked the ball. If a full-back is clever enough to whip the ball from the feet of the rushing forwards, surely his kick should gain ground for his side, instead of merely halting the forward rush. You play the old game in your twenty-five and a new one outside it.”

“English forwards keep control of the ball. They are a rushing, bustling type which you don’t see here. You will have to be prepared to meet them at their own game next year, and judging by the few games I have seen in New Zealand you will have to make some alteration,” said the doctor. The idea of playing four 20-minute spells did not appeal to the Irishman. He pointed out that on one occasion Grammar was attacking right on the Training College line when the bell sounded for the change over. That was hardly fair. Dr Bulger does not like the wing forward. He thinks that he is allowed too much liberty, and plays an interfering game. The international does not believe in replacing men who are injured. The Rugby team is for 15 men and 15 only. If one is hurt in the j last quarter of an hour, -and a fresh man is substituted, the advantage, which is great, is unfair. Dr Bulger mentioned the methods used in going down in the scrum. He said that the way the two packs charged each other was most dangerous. They bumped into each other “like a lot of buck goats.” It was a most dangerous method, for a neck or spine injury was liable to result. In South Africa last' year Kruger, the front row Springbok man, had his spine injured in the first test, and did not play again. The injury was caused by the butting business. Dr Bulger ran through the names of the English team chosen for New Zealand next year. “I have seen them all,” he said, “and, taken all round, it is a good team, but not exceptional. Ganly was the surprise of last season, and is a fine player. Novis is also new, but is very fast, and a good scorer. lan Smith and MacPherson, of course, are stars, and Smith is a wonder wing, who scores seemingly impossible tries. lie is fearless.

“The forwards are a solid lot, who will show you a style of game which is not played here. Wakefield is corning again, but his day is done. He will be captain, I suppose, but he will *-e more of a representative of the English Rugby Union than anything else. There will be some great Rugby here next season. I hope lam here to see it,” concluded the international.