SPORTS NEWS ENGLISH RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1946, Page 10

SPORTS NEWS ENGLISH RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

Impressive Looking . B and In Fremantle and Perth, and on the train journey across Australia, I saw a great deal of the English Rugby League players, who are now in Sydney, states Tom Goodman in the Sydney Morning Herald. They are a good-looking, happy band, and terribly keen to do well on this tour. So far as their football is concerned, for the present they must remain a “wait and see” combination. Only two, Gus Risman and Tom McCue, have played in Australia, and some of the others are inexperienced in big football. The team is full of interesting personalities. Here are a half-dozen from among the many:—. Gus Risman: Gentlemanly fellow, who was immensely popular on his tours of 1932 and 1936. Stylish centre, shrewd captain—one who demands respect on and off the field. On that long train trip, which tested the more temperamental, I saw evidence of the influence of Risman, in matters apart from football. Willie Davies: Glamour fiveeighth, and member of the famous Welsh Rugby Union half-back combination of Tanner and Davies, which began with Swansea club in 1935, when the team was the only club side to beat J. E. Manchester’s “All Blacks,” and ended when Davies turned professional in 1939.. Davies and Tanner were cousins and schoolmates. A school teacher, and a quiet, thoughtful little fellow is Willie. “If he strikes something like his best, especially in attack, you will see a bobby-dazzler,” say his teammates.

Baby of Side.

Martin Ryan: Wigan coalminer, who, at 22, is the “baby” of the side, and one of its quietest members. A fresh-faced, wavy-haired lad, and one of the most earnest players, he is a new discovery as an enterprising full-back. Eric Batten: Speedy, resolute winger, who resembles his famous father, Billy' of the 1910 side in Australia, in looks as well as playing style. Like his dad, he doesn’t hesitate to dive over a crouching opponent if that is the only way of getting through. Non-drinker, non-smoker, and a crank on physical fitness, this deep-chested athlete will be one of England’s “hopes.” Ike Owens: “One of the fastest loose forwards ever to leave England,” say the Englishmen of this Welshman, now 15st (nearly a stone heavier than when he left England). He was one of the comparatively few non air-crew members of the R.A.F. to be awarded the Air Force Medal. A sergeant-instructor at a famous parachute training camp near Manchester, Ike was on 15 operational flights and made 280 parachute jumps. One of the tenors of the team’s Welsh choir. Frank Whitcombe: The team’s baby-faced “human tank,” now approaching 18st, and the outstanding humorist. With his fun and his friendly nature, he is a great asset to a touring combination; moreover, he is a tough and intelligent forward. His chief companion in fun is “Ginger” Hughes, another front-row forward, who has invested proceeds from his bookmaking business in house property. Centre and Wing Pairs.

English League teams favour playing right and left centre and wing combinations, rather than the Australian system of an inside centre and an outside centre. There are two ready-made centre and wing combinations available.

One pair is the Bradford Northern partnership, Jack Kitching, right centre, and Eric Batten, right winger.

The other is another ' Bradford centre, Ernest Ward, and the Warrington left winger, Albert Johnson, who have been associated in several important fixtures, including England v. France, at Swinton, this year, when Johnson scored three tries. An early forecast of England’s three-quarter line for .the first Test is: Batten, Risman, Ernest Ward, and Johnson.

Risman’s outstanding qualities of leadership and his great experience in Test football will be eagerly employed if this 35-year-old Welsh centre shows that he holds first-class form.

Kitching, a school teacher, who is 6ft 2in tall, and runs with his shoulders hunched, helped Batten to be a prolific try-getter in England, and himself contributed a goodly number.

Ernest Ward, who, what with club, Services, and international fixtures, played as many as three or four matches a week, normally has the useful weight for a centre of 13st 121 b.

Albert Johnson is regarded as- an attractive winger, with neat side-step and deceptive swerve. The team’s other left winger, policeman Arthur Bassett, is solid and experienced. Jim Lewtbwaite, young right winger, rivals Batten for the honour of being England’s fastest winger. Versatile Ted Ward and Bryn Knowelden are centres whose early form will have to be compared with that of the others. Joe Jones (fullback), Dai Jenkins, half-back, and Willie Horn, five-eighth, are so well regarded that they will make even Ryan McCue and Davies play for their places. Horne is a professional cricketer, and has played in a few matches with Lancashire.

Forward Line.

England’s front row is going to be very solid, with Ken Gee, 151st. one of the supports of hooker Joe Egan, .and Frank Whitcombe, Fred Hughes or Bob Nicholson the, other one. Hard-heads of the, team look to Nicholson to prove one of the tour successes as front row or second row man. Trevor Foster and Doug Phillips (second row), and Ike Owens (lock), would measure up in weight and size with England’s great trio of the 1936 pack—Hodgson, Arkwright and Beverley ,and Owens has the speed. Harry Murphy (lock) and Les White (second row) are splendid colts to have in reserve.