Rugby Football

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 16, 10 April 1946, Page 3

Rugby Football

PRACTICE GAMES PLAYED (By CD.) Some Hutt players were fortunate to be able to take pat in practice games against Eastbourne on Saturday. Approximately 30 players had a spell each, which served to give the selectors some idea of their form although further trials will have to be held in the process of elimination for selection of the first fifteen. Some backs had to be played out of their usual positions and no doubt this will be taken into account. Further, several players were either not available or were not given a run owing to the number on liand. These included Delamore, Graham, Burt Gereia, Carmine, W. Scullion, Duffy and Alexander (not available), and P. Scullion, Turnbull Longton, Napier, J. Blyth, Aitken. Swain, Moore. Providing grounds are made available matches against the Athletic Club will be played this week, when it should be possible to arrange for every player to have a game. After last Saturday's game it should be possible to fine down the initial selection to 30 players. Most of these will be forwards, of which there appears to be a surplus. However, a number will be eliminated because of lack of weight and height. Alteration to Rules In view of the alteration to the rules, which now does not allow the option of a scrum in lieu of a lineout, line-out play will have to be developed and reasonably tall forwards will be required for the job, otherwise the team will be under a big handicap when playing against some of the tall and weighty city teams. A reasonable amount of weight will be required in the scrums if the hooker is to do his job properly. However, an active thirteen to fourteen stone forward who applies his weight properly is preferable to one who is perhaps much heavier but slow and cumbersome. The selection of the backs will present one or two problems. There will be little likelihood of anyone displacing either Delomere,King and: Perrett. Berg is going to have a good deal of opposition for the job behind the scrum, as Stevens showed on Saturday that he has more than average ability and there are others who are anxious to show what they Can do, including L. Burt, a former Club player, who has just arrived back after playing for the Combined Services team in England. It will be remembered that this team had a record almost as good as the Kiwis We incline to the opinion that the player who beats Berg for his place will have to be good, having in mind his long and accurate passing from the scrum. Problem for Selectors The filling of the second fiveeighth position will cause the selectors to think hard. He will require sufficient pace to keep up with Dela-

more who is abnormally quick off the mark. On known form Treseder and Graham should be able to establish their claims to the left wing and full-back positions respectively. Further trials may, of course, reveal 'some dark horses. It is to be hoped they do, as dependable reserves will be required. From what has been seen of the forwards in training and last Saturday's practice, a pack equal to if not better than that of last year can be fielded, and there will

be enough left over to field a good second division pack. The same position does not, however, obtain as far as backs are concerned. There is no doubt that much interest will be taken in the further trial games to come, but it appears unlikely that any of these will be played on local grounds, which are not being made available, although efforts are being made .to have the position reviewed. As an item of interest to supporters, G. Delamore is coaching the senior XV, with L, Fawcett as cocoach.