RUGBY CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 174, 24 June 1926, Page 4

RUGBY CODE

THE MAORI CHAMPIONSHIP.

NORTH THE VICTORS. . A FLATTERING POINTS MARGIN. For the first time in the history of the Te Mori Rose Bowl series—-the classic fixture of. Maori Rugby football in the Dominion —Palmerston North yesterday had the honour ot staging the annual contest between the representatives of the North and South Island's. "While the Te Mon Rose Bowl was involved, the match had the added attraction in that it served as a final trial prior to the determination of the team which will leave these shores next month en route for France and Great Britain, there to seek added honours to the fair fame of the Dominion’s Rugby. Apart from the interest centred in the contest by Maori enthusiasts, players themselves were keyed up to a high pitch in view of the important outcome —their inclusion in the party of 28 players resting to a large extent on their performances of the afternoon. It was consequently expected that spectators would be favoured with a, display presenting all the brightest features of the game. That they were not to be disappointed was early evident for, from bell to bell, the opposing divisions raced from end to end in fast, open, handling 'bouts which ‘revealed the very essence of the highest features of the code. Faulty handling was in evidence on occasions, particularly among the southerners, but the fleeting changes gave to the game that kaleidoscopic effect which so delights the present day enthusiast. The Northerners opened with plenty of dash and the advantage in the scrummages enabled their rearguard to throw the ball about quite merrily and to good effect, and throughoul they held a commanding advantage ii the scoring margin. However, wit! the introduction of a new hooker athe interval, Pine having given may to 1 Mailii, the southerners fared con siderably better and for the final 31 minutes quite outplayed their blacl garbed opponents. Had they availei themselves to the full of their goa kicking opportunities, the score would nave been much more even.

A SENSATIONAL OPENING. t c • r One or two amendments "bad been ' made in the original teams, Kingi and t Hartley in the southern side giving 1 way to Akuira and Scott, while in the ' northern side Dennis replaced Haupapa in the scrum, the latter taking the position of rover in place of Ed- f wards. The rival fifteens which filed i out some seven minutes after the ap- .. pdinted hour were as under : 1 North (black): Phillips, Robinson, 1 Maata, McDonald, "VVineera, Haddon, v Harrison, ITaupapa, . Sergeant, Pei- 1 liana, Rika, Dennis, Batty, Lewis, Wil- j son. ( South (white): Bennett, Falwasser, i Potaka, Scott, Peihana, Moses, 1 Akuira, Jacob, Pine, Stewart, Man- 1 ning, Matene, Sheriff, Tatana, Mat- 1 tliew. i Haupapa led the blacks and Jacob i the, whites. North were favoured, by the .toss of the coin, and Jacob brought the op- | posing lines into action by kicking off ( into the sun. McDonald returned the ’ leather to Moses, who cut in prior to ' handing on, but Peina was tackled in J possession. A counter-attack was immediately forthcoming from the blacks, a handling-bout which broke down at the critical moment leaving the white zone the centre of hostilities. From ' the throw-in Akuira snapped up a 1 mark, but his lino kick did not carry with it any material advantage. A hot forward rush by the whites transferred play to neutral territory, and an essay to bring their rearguard into action by the blacks proving faulty, Moses secured and opened up to Peina, , but in attempting to jink his way through the white five-eighth was promptly grassed. The ball was thrown about in a sparkling manner, although ‘tlie work of the inners was proving faulty. A cross kick by Robinson to the opposite wing sent McDonald en route for tlie line, the winger being thrown into touch at tlve corner following, a great dash. Coming round tlie scrum too quickly cost the attackers their hard-won territory, and in the ensuing play Falwasser brilliantly fielded a rolling ball and set full sail for the corner, only to be brought to earth when almost through. Robinsoi£. brought relief to the blacks by bursting through the press by sheer weight and strength, hut Moses flashed into the picture by dummying his way through the inner ranks of the blacks prior to opening up. The leather sped on-its way to Scott on the wing, but he could not force an opening and in a flash Robinson, on the opposite wing, had secured from a loose clearing kick and had burst clear. Although halted, the leather again came the way of the winger, who handed on to Batty, to Dennis, for the latter to run in unopposed. Sergeant goaled, and after 10 minutes of hostilities the North were holding a five-point advantage. North 5. South 0. Jacob’s kick out worked into touch, and from the throw-in McDonald brought off a lucky speculator. Bennett, the white full-back, slipped in fielding the ball, but Akuira came back opportunely to take his pass back, and returned play to black territory. Robinson was instrumental in setting the blacks again on the aggressive, and the forwards rushed to tlie line, where Dennis picked up and went over, only to be recalled for a breach. The resulting free kick was pressed further by the whites, and from a second free kick against the blacks, who were infringing repeatedly. Bennett had a shot at goal, but failed to find the range. WHITES’ EFFORTS UNREWARDED. The southerners v'ere striving with might and main to even up the scoring, but their handling was proving their downfall, while a brilliant dash by Falwasser, who was seeing the ball only at intervals, was nipped in the bud before the movement could fully develop. In a flash' the black forwards,_ with Peihana and Dennis in the van, swept to white territory, a pass out to Winqera seeing the black five-eigntn narrowly halted. The play, returned to the centre, wherp Moses linked bis way through on the blind side, but the defence held. Jacob endeavoured to force a breach by sheer weight and strength, but it was not to be, and play returned to mid-field, where Harrison opened up to Haddon, to Wineera, the black five-eighth cutting in prettilv and dashing straight through to score between the posts, Sergeant goaled. North g ou th o. A perior of 17 minutes had separated the two scores, but with the hall again coming back into play an addition to North’s total was not long m forthcoming, ior the black rearguard iin-

mediately swung into action and the passing bout swept out to Robinson on the left wing and then in-field to Dennis, to Peihana, to Rika, for the last-named to complete. The kick failed.

North 13, South 0.

Back and forward swung the play, vanguard and rearguard endeavouring to open up at every opportunity, and the centre of hostilities was seldom in the one locality for more than a very brief period. Maata, the black centre, was proving very enterprising, his cutting in spelling danger at close intervals. The interception of a pass and kick down to Phillips saw the fullback fumble and, before he could clear, lie was grassed by Akuira. The white half up the leather and handed on to Manning for the loclcman to cross and open tlve whites account. Jacob failed with an easy kick. South 3, North 13.

The blacks returned to the attack, * but over-anxiousness, which cost them a penalty, nullified the effort. A heel ; from the scrum enabled Harrison to feed his line, and Maata cut through prior to handing on to Robertson, but the winger, with Falwasser and Bennett beaten, was accounted for 1 by j Jacob in solid manner. The whites j were hard pressed when a free kick 1 again brought them relief. A cross kick by Harrison enabled McDonald to come into action, and the winger . made a bold bid to penetrate before being halted. From the line-out Lewis whipped the ball back to Wineera, who sent it on to Haddon, to Robin-, son, but tlve winger failed to gather in a low pass. The fnst handling bouts of the blacks were sorely testing the uncertain inner defences of the whites, a movement set in operation by McDonald being carried on by the forwards right to the goal line, where Dennis crossed, only to again lose a score by a breach. Jacob burst through the ruck and handed on to Scott, the winger gaining a' big stretch of territory before being halted at the corner. The big black forwards slowly worked free, and from a faulty white passing bout Robinson'jumped into Ins stride and followed hard on a short punt. With tho full-back only opposing him ' the black winger failed to pick up the • rolling leather, hut from the succeedL ing scrum Harrison secured and cut > straight through to run round behind ’ the posts. Sergeant made no mistake, ■ and the scores at the interval read: * North 18, South 3. i The southerners signalled their _reI entry by immediately advancing to the assault, but from a scrummage inside the black twenty-five Harrison whipped the ball out to Haddon, who cut through the southern inners and, ■vvlien down to Bennett, sent on to Wineera, . who had dashed up in support and } the five-eighth, accepting Ins pass cleanr ly, went on to score. . Sergeant s kick ’ went wide. North 21, South 3.

Lewis, the tall northern scrummager, ccepted the kick out, but was collared a possession and, following a mark by acob the whites essayed a handling out. ’ Falwasser secured and side-step-ied his way along the touch line, but, nth his passage barred, sent innelu to Jatthew, who was brought to earth ust short of his objective. A high learanco by a defender caught Beniett out of "position and, in attempting o take the ball at the run, the ftilL,ack failed and Peihana snapped up the eather and sprinted the final 20 yards o score wide out. Dennis s kick went istray. North 24, South 3. An indifferent pass by Scott let the Jacks sweep downfield and from a melee -lose to the white line the ball emerg>d to Hnupana, who dribbled over and jounced on the leather. Dennis again ’ailed. North 27, South 3. Quite undaunted the whites went to ,he attack, Jacob attempting to force lis way through, but without result. L’ho southerners were experiencing the vorst of the fortunes, one of their nany promising movements again passmr unrewarded when Peina, who had jeen a. repeated offender, failed to accept his pass. Batty rushed into the jreach and snapping up the ball dashed iff downfield. Displaying a wonderful • urn of speed, he went clean through to score. Sergeant failed. North 30. South 3. With a margin of 27 points against them the position appeared hopeless for the southerners, but despite the ill fortunes which had attended their efforts they forced their opponents back an to the defensive and, from a. pass ant Peina jinked his way through, but elected to pass out and Wineera, coming back to the support of his fullback, intercepted and lined out at the centre. Jacob was instrumental in bringing bis scrummagers back into torertn territory, but again tlie pass on ivent astray. Tlie ball worked across to Scott who sent Matene en route tor the line ‘but with the defence apparently beaten a defender dashed up to bring off a spectacular tackle and save the situation A break-down in the whites passing enabled Rika and Lewis to transfer for the blacks, and handling between Battv and Dennis threatened danger until a knock-on halted the dual movement. A kick wing-wards saw Fahvasser secure and dash off in a swerving run which carried him past opponent after opponent in a manner winch evoked expressions of wonderment from tho crowd, but McDonald came across to halt his progress. SOUTH TAKING COMMAND. The play was slowly, but surely, passing the way of the whites and Akuira jinked his way through on the blind side prior to sending infield, but the neoessary finish to crown the movement was missing. Bennett ran across field to open up and Falwasser securing, the spectacular winger made a great bid to penetrate, but a low tackle at the corner halted him when success seemed assured. Matthew, who had been showing to advantage in the open work, dashed off in possession and sent on to Manning but the latter elected to pass infield and tho movement terminated in a melee. A loose kick was maiked bv Phillips whose clearance was returned bv Jacob', the blacks submitting to a force. From the kick out Falwasser danced his way through the press, only to be robbed of his reward at the corner However, the southerners were not’ to be denied and directly following, from an in pass, Matthew secured and threw himself over. Falwasser made a good, but unsuccessful attempt, to add the major points. South 6, North 30. The whites at this stage had all the territorial advantage and a rearguard movement in which Jacob joined saw Peina accept a high pass in brilliant fashion, but before ho cquld hand on he was tackled in possession. A clearing kick saw Bennett, the white fullback, snap up the ball and burst down the touch-line, but ho was tackled heavily. A free kick against a defender "-ave Matene a shot within good range, but his kick passed just outside. Akuira marked the return and from his kick the forwards followed up hard and, although Matthew was grassed when almost in, Tatana was handy and dived on tlie ball which had passed ov'er the line. The shot at goal failed. South 9, North 30. The kick out was recalled and the

whites went back to the attack. Mat- j thew having a shot at goal from a mark, but without success. The advantage was, however, , maintained and Akuira, securing from a scrum, dummied his way through on the blind side and sent on to Falwasser at the opportune moment for the winger to complete. To the delight of the local enthusiasts Akuira was given the kick at goal,'but although he made a great effort, he just failed to add the major points. South 12, North 30. Tho northerners made a final effort and momentarily forced their opponents back on to the defence, Wineera setting McDonald en route for the line but the defence held. Scott cleared and under the urgings of the crowd, whose sympathies were with the whites in the great losing fight they were making the southerners went off downfield witii a rush, and the ball emerging to Falwasser, the winger dashed over amid sustained applause. Jacob landed a good goal from well out and the call ot full time having sounded the teams left the field with the scores reading: North 30, South 17.

Mr T. Parata, who had control, did not blow the whistle for the minor infringements, thus assisting in making the game fast and open.

1 SATURDAY’S ATTRACTIONS. The Rugby fixtures scheduled for Saturday will, without exception, be followed with great interest. Enthusiasts remember, Saturday, Bth ult., when Kia Toa met with defeat at the hands of Western United by 11 to 6, after one of the fastest matches seen locally this year. Saturday will see these teams as rivals again, and the present champions (Kia Toa) will be called upon to avenge that defeat if they can. The Western-United pack are equally as fast as their opponents, and in the previous match were certainly the better team on the day, so if tho champions desire to retain their position their play must be of a firstclass order. The match generally should attract many enthusiasts and dovelop into a real good game, especially after the form shown by both teams. As a curtain-raiser to the senior fixture the Boys’ High School fifteen are drawn to play the WesternUnited juniors. Although the school team have hot shown very great form this year, they always make their opponents fight hard and attract much attention by reason of their open style of play. This will certainly be a good early match. Several other minor grade matches will be played on the outer areas at 1.30 p.m. to make the week’s programme very interesting.

NEW SOUTH WALES PREPARATIONS. TO MEET THE ALL BLACKS. Despite the fact that some of the club games have been nothing to rave about, it is incontestable that the union has now some really high-class players, whoso ability should not be overshadowed even by the mighty All Blacks, and cabled information shows how mighty they will be (writes “K.C.W.” in the Sydney Sun. Mr Ted. Mackenzie, last All Black manager here, writes to say “that, in liis opinion, this State will be visited by as great a combination, if not the greatest, that has lias ever worn the black jersey and silver fern of New Zealand.” The trial matches have been completed in New Zealand, and exhaustive tests were made ,to ensure that play alone, and not reputations, would win a way into the Rugby team, possibly the most coveted and hardly earned distinction that is available to Now Zealand athletes. Tlie N.S.W. NV. no matter bow well it reads on paper, can look forward to a torrid struggle against the selected New Zealand team, whose ability, reinforced by their terrific weight, will be a severe ordeal for tlie very finest side we can field. DISILLUSIONMENT AHEAD. The State selectors are wide awake to the sort of footballer who will be of greatest value in these matches, and one or two of the most prominent club players who have shown their best only when their team is on top will suffer—when the first fifteen is chosen —disillusionment for their lack of fighting spirit, or, should it be said, “the will to win.” The forwards who are termed “shiners” come also in this category, for "they cannot be carried against New Zealand sides. A good deal of interest attaches to the movements of Tom Lawton, Rhodes scholar, Oxford blue and New South "Wales representative, who has so far not been able to play in club games. However, be lias intimated to the selectors that he will be available for the trial games —lio is at present at Wagga, and is keeping fit by playing Australian Rules. His fivc-eigbtli position also finds "W. B. Sheehan and Gregor George pressing strong claims, and Lawton will require to show fine form to beat either of these two, who are regularly playing and showing their best in club games. Sheehan and George are fine attacking players, oftentimes showing amazing elusiveness and skill, but neither is as rugged as Lawton, who is very strongly and heavily built, of a. type unlikely to wilt under the severest All Black pressure. No matter which of these players gains selection, brilliant play in the five-eighth position seems assured. Wallace will urobably be played as inside centre, and the Scottish international showed in tho trials that his brainy play will be of considerable help to Morrissey. The last-named is a renowned straight runner, and this feature of his play will be best exploited with the genius of Wallace to provide openings. The remarkable form ot A. W. Ross has been universally commented upon, and great as he has undoubtedly proved, he can become even greater if he will cultivate the habit of racing his three-quarters into position. Ho has seldom made any attempt to do this, hut he proved how well he could do so in last Saturday’s match, and the importance of this feature of his play cannot be too forcibly stressed upon him. A game or two in. the threequarter lino might bring the value of this home to him. Dr Otto Nothling is again available for selection which is good news for liis club, and perhaps the State selectors, for Nothling’s all-round ability make’s him a handy player for any side.

NEW SOUTH WALES FORWARDS

In tlie picking of the New South' Wales forwards, a solid eight who will win the ball ; in the scrums, linc-outs and rucks is the aim of the selectors, for it is hoped that the winning of the ball may mean the winning of the match' by providing scope for the brilliant backs of this State. Statistics kept l>v New Zealand pressmen show that our forwards win tlie ball, in 80 per cent of the scrums. If, as is likely, we can secure this margin again,

the All Blacks will know that they are up against the best set of backs that th,» New South Wales Union has fielded for many a long day. Tins is a statement that I feel confident will, he vindicated oil tho field of pl&y* MATCH AT HAWERA. Per Press Association. HAWERA, Juiic 23. A representative Maori Rugby match between North and South laranaki teams was played, here this afternoon. It resulted in a win for South laranaki by 17 phints to 6.