RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 31 July 1925, Page 6

RUGBY

THE REP. TRIAL GAME

COMMENT'S ON THE PL A YENS.

As the trial game at Eltham on Wednesday was arranged to afford the selectors an indication of the form of pla.vers who might be considered eligible for representative honours, the individual element was naturally to be expected, but that deterrent to good play was pleasingly inconspicuous, ami players on both sides made unselfish attempts at combination.

•The Southern backs were particularly noticeable in this respect, and their efforts produced stinging attacks much superior to their opponents.

Rov Peiiniall, the full-back, gave a sound exhibition, and any player selected before him will have to show a good standard. A sure field, he also kicked with judgment, tackled accurately, and when occasion demanded went down to stem forward rushes.

The wings, Hohaia (Opunake) and McCarty (Kaponga) both evinced dash in attack, handled with precision, and proved difficult to pass. Hohaia was the pick of the threequarters. of both teams, ami the suddenness with which hi s speed developed marked liim as a player who con'd, if required, capably occupv an inside back position. A faultsearching critic might accuse him or over-eagernes.s, and. a consequent tendency to over-run his pass, but a, s the latter defect very often lies with the ma„ delivering the pass, its elimination is merely a matter for untleistanding between the respective plavers. McCarty justified hi*. trial, ancl made a favourable comparison with Coulton (Stratford) and Deem (Old Hoys), the two men lie was asked to face. For a young player, Cameron (Okaiawa) was given a responsible position at centre, but, though he was below representative standard, he did not disgrace his side.

Johnsto„ (Okaiawa), the second fiveemhth. the head of his combination, was resourceful and at times bnlaant, and though it may be said he did not )lay at the top of his' form, lie* may certainly be classed as second to no other back on the day’s play.

Guv (Kaponga), at first five-eighth, was quick to exploit opportunities afforded both by his own side and through faults of his opponents and when on the defensive showed adaptability in relieving critical situations. He combined well with Johnston, and also with his club mate Lynskey who behind the scrum, made an excellent pivot between van and rearguard. Well served by liis, hookers, Lynskey continually set his backs moving. F scrimmages and loose play lie dsplaved initiative in opening up attacks. and was also reliable m checking the opposing forwards His allround exhibition as ha'f-back wa s much in advance of the northern exponent s play, and must secure him the selectors consideration as the provincial ha . In fact the attacking ability coupled with the sturdy defensive power and understanding evident- in the Lynskej-Guv-Johnston combinantion must commend the trio to the selectors when the middle backs are being decided upon.

As rover, Malone (Kaponga) was in his place, and overshadowed his vis-a-vis, Tavlor (Tukapa), if the latter s success 'with goal kicks, which accounted for eight of the northern teams points, is excepted. As a held kickhowever, Malone was very useful, and in assisting liis own backs as wel.. as in harrying the opposing set, he gave the better exhibition. Though not free of the infringements which generally figure in the play oF a wing forward wlio keeps up with the game. Ins display, by the advantages he gained in other places, more than offset the penalties incurred.

The forwards worked well together, discrimination being difficult, though O’Korke (Opunake), Paterson (Hawera), Robt. Penniall (Eltham) and Robinson (Hawera) may be credited with having been more consistent than the otliei s.

Robinson (Hawera) and Cruden (Eltham) in the front- row, controlled the bail in the majority of the scrums. They were well supported by Paterson as lock, -who was also, together with Pepperell (Eltham) a consistent battler in tight work. The only fault of the pack as a whole, was a tendency to o-et in front of the ball, the result befnor the loss of hard-won ground and the further risk of converted penalties. „ , , , The northern backs failed to show the combination and dash maintained by their opponents. Their passing was below standard, and attempted attacks lacked cohesion, while tlieir collective defence was poor, the tackling being weak, with the exception of that essayed by Coulton (Stratford) Ymd Brown (Old Boys).

Young (Clifton) wa s given a great deal of work, and occasionally met bis responsibilities with credit, but did not give the impression of being consistently reliable.

Deem (Old .Boys?, who went on during Llie second spell, proved tke most dangerous winger tried by the northern selectors, and several times dashed into the picture by getting away with spectacular interceptions —a practice, however, which is liable to prove dangerous if the interception fails. Coulton, another winger, proved sound when defending, but when aggressive failed to reproduce the form which earned him distinction in the last rep. game. lJrown, also, 'did not give the exhibition expected of him, though lie was a big factor in stopping the southerners’ asasutts. It was. perhaps, fortunate for the tatter that ho was not in goal-kicking lorin. Repeatedly spoiled by the southern forwards, Jeffries (Tiikapa), the halfback, was given little chance to distinguish himself, and- but rarely started his supports.

Boon (Old Boys), who played second five-eighth in the first spell and first in the second, shone in commendable efforts to develop open play in his division, but was weak in checking the southern middle hacks.

Kivell (Stratford), Brewster , (O’d Rovs) and McKay (Inglewood) were the best of the northern, forwards. Brewster was particularly evident in brenk-away dashe s from scrimmages, in which tactics he was one of the most noted forwards on the ground. Bond (Stratford) was also useful in tin's respect. McKay showed as a strong toiling forward, able to use his hands' and. as he is an experienced hooker, might well he paired with either Robinson or Brewster in the front row.

It is understood that the team to meet Wanganui on the 18th August will he selected after the championship play-off between Stratford and To leap a-, which takes place at Inglewood tomorrow. Doubtless several certainties have been already decided upon, hut the final choice will he by no means an easy task, and the selectors’ decision wilj be awaited, with keen interest.