RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 July 1929, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES ON THE REP. IVLc^CH. The Muiiawatu Times slates: —.Mela Johnson, the Oluki player who was at full back for Manawhenua on Wednesday was undoubtedly one of the best backs on the ground. Although in o-eneral points of play a. full back cannot be compared with a Jive-eighths, in soundness and value to his side, Johnson stood with Jimmy .Mill sis one of the two outstanding- players on the ground. It was unfortunate that he was injured ami had to go oil', for his rock-line defence would possibly have made the difference in the critical last moments of the game. Henderson, his vis-a-vis, played only a fair game by comparison, although in the. second half he -was much sounder than during the opening spell. It would have been interesting to compare Johnson with Roach had the Wairarapa regular turned out. The Manawlenua three-quarter hue as constituted, showed itself quite a sound combination. Strange did not have many opponents but he badly surprised Jimmy Mill avlio was in full sail when Strange struck him like a localised tornado. Fletcher was remarkably sound on defence, his tackling being performed in a capable and business-like manner that left his subjects under no misconception as to the solidity of Mother Earth. He did not shine so much on attack a's is usually the case, but when it is considered that he was playing his first, big representative match, and that he was up against unusually formidable opposition, this is easily'understandable. On his game, the qouthful Old Hoys' star has certainly consolidated his claims for continued consideration. Taylor also played quite a sound game and kept Burgess in hand capably enough. The Horowlienua man is not a brilliant scoring three-quarter but he is safe on defence and elusive on attack. Once again Manawhenua ; s weakness was in the inside backs and it is here that some re-organisation appears to be indicated before the' next representative engagement. Ormond and Bevan were only good in parts, particularly the latter. Admittedly they were up against Jimmy Mill whom nothing but a°ball and cliain would have kept under control, but even with allowances made, they'fell short as a combination of a'representative' pair. Mill's play was an example of what the unexpected can accomplish in the inside backs and while we have no Mills in this district we have .five-eighths who could infuse more sparkle into their work than Bevan and Ormond. The writer has previously expressed the opinion that Kiddell of Old Boys would give some versatility to the inside backs ,and Wednesday's game has borne out the contention that this is needed. There are other live-eighths worthy of consideration and a change might well be given a trial. Paratu. behind the scrum did not have the protection of his big brother u-> the rover, but Da.lzell performed quite as well. -The half played a sound game and though his did not give him the same amount of leather as his vis-a-vis, he made good use of what he did get. W. I'arata knows the ganue inside out and for this alone would be worth his place. In this connection it would appear necessary for the team to appoint a delinite leader. Tatana captained the fifteen last Wednesday, but experience has proved that it is not the wisest procedure to make a forward skipper. W. Parata as half back has the ideal captain's position and this added to his sound knowledge of the game and football experience would appear to qualify him for the job oL' captaining Manawhenua.

SHIELD TIXTUEES.

At the Wairarapa Rugby Union meeting last week Ranfurly Shield matches were arranged as follows: — August 10. —v. Auckland, at Carterton. August 17. —v. Manawhenua, at Mas-' terton. August 21.—v. Southland, at Carterton. August 28. —v. Canterbury, at Music rton. September 7.—v. Otago, at Masterton. September 14.—v. Waikato at Masterton. September 25.—v. Wanganui, at Carterton.