RUGBY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10752, 24 November 1928, Page 9

RUGBY.

FAMOUS FULL-BACK. HIGH mill GTE TO NEPIA. HOME CRITIC’S PRAISE. At. the opening of the British Rugby season a well-known English writer on the game, C. W. Packard, ran a series of sketches in the London “Sporting Life” on those whom he considered among the most famous players. He includes in this - list George Nepia, the Maori player of the East Coast, who made a great reputation m Britain by his play as fullback for the 1924 New . Zealand team. Nepia’s thrilling stunt or catapulting himself at the knees of forwards who had broken away in a dribbling rash was a source of endless admiration in Britain, where pluck is rated above finesse in the Rugby field. When one recalls the deeds of the invincible «M 1 Blacks of 1924 (writes Mr Packard), a team that won every game they played, including all theninternational encounters, there are several mem tiers of that famous combination whom we shall never forget. The two Brownlies —Cyril and Alaunee—Mark Nic-holls, and A. E. Cooke, were all great players and extremely popular. But, perhaps, or them ‘all, George Nepia, the lullbark, was one who made the deepest impression. Nepia, who was not twenty years of age when he reached the shores of England, was a magnificentlybuilt athlete.

Although fie is olt 9in in height, ovum to the abnormal width of his chest' and his sturdy limbs he appeared shorter than he actually was. but when the 13st of “dynamic vent into action ever v one opposed to him was fully aware of the laid. Nepia like other full-backs of distinction, such as Barry Oumberlege, of England, had little or no idea ol fillino- that position in his early days. He"first came into prominence as a five-emhths with his club, Hawke s Bav, and it was really only during the trials, preliminary to the selection of the team, that the New Zerfaiifl authorities, who were despera.elv m need of a reliable full-b.uk, made the discovery of a century Not onlv were they convinced that in Nepia they had a man on whom they could thoroughly rely, but so impressed were they with his grea strength that they paid him the rather dangerous compliment of leaving the position solely in his hands. Thev did'' not select a reserve, and as it‘happened, this was not necessn,v for Nepia played in every game of the tour—the only man on the Si< Li * his °very first game at Devonport it was apparent that he wouhl be a complete success m this country, but well as he played, nn that occasion, he improved out ol all knov led*?.? as the tour proceeded.

BEST ON -HEAVY GROUND. I alwavs thought that Nepia was at his host on a heavy ground, foi no matter how holding were the condition's bow elusive was the ball, lus handling and kicking, in such case, were beyond reproach. Nepia was faster than he appeared to*Re but there were occasions when he was beaten for pace when tho ground was favorable for the man of ' Q nf , of these was in the match with England, at Twickenham, an encounter that, owing to hint being outpaced. would undoubtedly have rcLlted in a victory tor the Mother Country had it not been for sheer misfortune. • , During that unforgettable period when England rallied so brilliantly as to hold out hopes cf eomp.etely reducing n rather formidal to adveree margin of points. J. C Gibbs, the flying Harlequin, twice defeated Nepia. for speed, punted oyer his. head, left the New Zealander literally standing still,, only to see the hall bounce yards in the wrong direction when all ho would have had to do was to touch down.

HIS PART IN SUPERB RECORD. It is rarely, however, that he was so outwitted', and he had the satisfaction of knowing, at the end of the tour, that his wonderful consistency, stamina and strength contributed as much as anything else to the superb record of the team. Nepia was absolutely devoid of fear. How he was nor injured time, and again was miraculous, for- lie. took even- risk imaginably. He provided many a thrill. To see him facing a determined rash of English, Irish or Welsh forwards was unforgettable. For an appreciable moment •he would stand with . his hands on his thighs, as if weighmgup the situation. Then there would he the flash of a dark-clad figure, a daring dive among the oncoming forwards, tho ball would be clutched fiercely, and Nepia would go crashing backwards through the heaviest- and most powerful of packs. We may have seen more accomplished and artistic backs, nut we have rarely seen one so »completely regardless of personal danger, and vet so 'utterly dependable. ' He gambled, but it was the gambling of one who realised that only the most extreme of measures would save the situation, and he never faltered.

TERRIBLE TACKLE

Nepia was also rather a terrible fellow' when it c-ame to tackling. He may not have be'en a Gamlin, but the man around whom he threw his arms took no further part in the particular movement in which he was engaged. • . . Another valuable characteristic of this popular athlete was his ability to open out- the game. He did not always kick for touch on fielding the ball; at- the. slightest opportunity he would run into such a position that he was able to put his colleagues into favorable possession. , We have: had several redoubtable 7 full-! ticks from the Dominions in the past, but there is not one who has made a greater impression or who has been more supremely successful than Nepia. . ( The only regret wo have in remembering his' audacity, courage and determination, is that we shall not see him again.

Willesden Magistrate: Have - you any. witnesses to call? Applicant: Yes, five. . The Magistrate: Pu;k-out best