THE RUGBY CODE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 258, 28 September 1935, Page 8

THE RUGBY CODE.

Apart from the interest Rugby footballers and patrons of the pastime will take in the All Blacks’ performances in the Homeland, the game holds no further attraction this season in the Manawatu. The curtain was rung down upon competition play last Saturday, and clubs are playing a few friendly matches before the players say farewell to the ball they have so diligently chased during the winter. Most of them do so with the keenest regret, for Rugby is a manly game, bringing to the front the very best qualities of youthful manhood and a high degree of sportsmanship. Hard knocks may be given, but are accepted by the true exponent of the code as part of tlie game. The past season in the Manawatu gives good hope for the future. In the junior grades there are a number of young players with years of football ahead of them, keen, capable exponents among forwards and backs, who should they remain in this district will bring credit to their representative team. In the senior division there were at least three teams which produced Rugby football of a high class, and if anything but little inferior to what would be witnessed in city matches. Most of these players no doubt will be seen again next year. The representative team, after a disastrous commencement, brought prominence to the Manawatu with a series of victories that were without any semblance of luck. The players are to be congratulated upon their successes, which followed the rather caustic comment of their coach regarding the Union’s lack of interest in the team. In mentioning the absence of keenness and team spirit Mr Ryan addressed a request to the controlling authority to give more thought to the men who represented the district. It is to the Union’s credit that it responded to the spirit of the letter, and the players from then onward were a different team, imbued with keenness to succeed, and if not to at least be a credit to Manawatu’s Rugby traditions. The comment made by the president of the Union regarding the public’s poor support of the game is not without justification. A representative match, or one of a special nature, will draw an excellent attendance, but club football is not well supported. Yet it is, generally speaking, on a high plane. If the public do not encourage the players, they cannot complain if other pastimes are chosen in preference to Rugby, or if the game becomes dull and lifeless. The standard of Manawatu’s Rugby deserves to be held in better regard by the public. The promising talent shown this year is a happy augury for the future.