RUGBY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1857, 4 September 1923, Page 6

RUGBY.

Age 22 years, height 6ft 2in, weight 13.5. Such is the description of 0. E. Nothling, full-back to the New South Wales Rugby team. He is a giant, but not only in physique. He stands out as the best man in the full-back position New South Wales has produced

for many years. Sinco 1921. .1)0 lift!) to* presented his State as i'ull-ltuek, and Springboks, Maoris and All Blacks have found him a champion. Otto is a strong tackier and a lino kick, as well as having a safe pair of hands, end ho has a great burst of speed. Just lavfore he left New South Wales with the present team, he playod as centre three-quarter for his club, Sydney University, in a match against Old Boys, and in this game he scored live tries, converted two, and kicked a ponalby goal, this making a total of 22 points. Besides his achievements at football, he is a University track Blue, and ho has represented New South Wales on the pricket field, being a, fine bowler. Otto hails from Queensland, and is a melancholy example of the debilitating effects of the Queensland climate. Perhaps 1

So Jack Steel’s reign as a star Rugby All Black three-quarter has closed, or, at any rate, been interrupted. It must have come as a shock to many to find that after the first test the selectors had dropped him ; on the West Coast their tears will be ruby in tint. Yet on Steel’s play in the big match the selectors could do little else. The big fellow appears to have lost all his old-time dash. Hanging about on the wing in country teams, in which he has not been fed properly, seems to have played a big sham in diluting his aggressive spirit. Hie best thing that could happen to Steel would be for him to play a season as wing-forward, where he would have to battle for chances. He has all the qualifications to make a top-notclier winger.