LEAGUE FOOTBALL BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR RUGBY LEAGUE SEASON

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR RUGBY LEAGUE SEASON

After attending the meeting of the newly formed Cobden Club O'!! Thursday evening, the secretary of the West Coast Rugby League, Mr T. F. McKenzie, said that he felt very optimistic over the Rugby League prospects for the coming season. Enthusiasm was at a high pitch and the Cobden club probably wojjld not be the only new name appearing in the lists of team nominations when they closed. Mr McKenzie said that the usual crop of rumours were in circulation, chief among these being one in which it was stated that the Kohinoor club had disbanded. He had no word of this and said that a meeting is being held next week and he was confident that the club would function normally.

When asked the reason _ for his optimism, Mr McKenzie said he felt that the proposed amendments to Rugby Union Football, which were being so freely discussed these days, were going ever so" much to draw the attention of players to the fact that there must be something in this bogey called Rugby League. If not, why were so many of its rules being adopted in some shape or form and now another three or four of its main points were being advocated as being necessary for the improvement of Rugby Union football. Continuing, Mr McKenzie said he was all in favour of these proposed alterations being more freely publicised, as it was a long time since Rugby League received such convincing and helpful propaganda. Concluding, he said he

was sure that Rugby League would spread throughout the Dominion more rapidly than ever before, and the tour to England and France was also stimulating interest in- the code.

runanga shows promise

Prospects appear good for the forthcoming season, with several of Runanga’s last season stars turning out again. At a training run held at Victoria Park on Wednesday evening, a pleasing number of players turned out under the direction of Norman Griffiths' and Tom Merriman. Among the stalwards present were J. Newton, an outstanding forward of West Coast, South Island and New Zealand representative standard. J. Soster, Runanga’s prilliant young fullback, is again in good form and should prove a strong contender for provincial and New Zealand representation. Last season, an unfortunate accident robbed him of a chance of playing against the touring English side. J. and R. Forrest were also in evidence, the former being regarded in well-informed circles as one of the best loose forwards in the code on the Coast. J. Forrest will again occupy his position in the three-quarter line and, together with his brother, will greatly strengthen Runanga’s back division. Among the more promising of the junior players who will, in all probability receive promotion to the senior ranks, are G. Menzies and A. Hunter.

The team, a young and speedy one, should acquit itself well when the competition gets under way.