RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 150, 27 May 1936, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MAX A WAT U UNION. WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. The weekly meeting of the executive of the Manawatu Rugby Union was held last evening, Mr A. M. Ongley being in the chair. Others present were Messrs E. Clevelv. K. W. Eglinton, L. J. Plank, H. J. Hickey. C. Pearse, E. W. Low, P. 0. Skoglund, J. A. Colquhoun, J. W. Smith, H. A. Stone, A. F. Helleur and J. 11. Hardie. WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL. Mr Frank L. Donnelly, writing on behalf of St. Patrick’s Wednesday team, drew the attention of the union to tho fact, that in the game between St. Patrick’s and Kki Toa last Wednesday tho latter played two senior players in Mullins and Warwick without the union’s permission. Tho rules definitely stated, he said, that no seniors_ were eligible unices permission was granted by the union. Two "Wednesday players were stood down and ho asked for a ruling on the matter. He was not lodging a protest, but suggested that a breach of the rules had been committed and tho game should be replayed b3’ Wednesday players from each club. Mr Helleur pointed out that there wa.s a rule on the book stating that Wednesday football was for Wednesday players, and the union should order the match to be replayed. Mr Skoglund said there was a Wednesday committee and the matter should be dealt with by that body. Mr Hickey remarked . that Mr Donnelly looked after St. Patrick’s Wednesday team. Tho Wednesday competition rules were being flagrantly broken.

The chairman said the matter should not be discussed unless the clubs themselves protested. St. Patrick’s should enter a protest and then it would be considered. Mr Hickey said clubs did not like to protest. Mr Colquhoun considered that it was not undignified for a club to protest. Buies were made and they should be enforced. Rule books were then searched to find the definition of a. “senior” player. It was found that a senior was one who had played two senior games in tho past or present season. Mr Helleur moved that the letter be received after the chairman had remarked that the union was willing to do all in its power to help the Wednesday clubs. FENCE AT SHOWGROUNDS.

The Manawatu llugby Referees’ Association wrote suggesting that - the union erect a fence trom tue pig pavilion to the cattle pavilion, and from the present fence to the corner of the big pavilion to keep the spectators off the touch line of No. 3 ground at the Showgrounds. Further, that to obviate the trouble of encroachment on No. 2 and 3 grounds the union consider playing two matches on the oval. Mr Low said the referees felt that the fences should be erected to keep the spectators back from the ground. Mr Eglinton said a .rope fence had been tried previously, but it was not a success.

Mr Hardie moved that the matter be investigated by the grounds committee, and this was carried. PLACED ON CAUTION LIST.

Reporting oil tho ordering off of a Feilding Old Boys player in the junior grade match against St. Patrick’s at tiie Showgrounds last Saturday, the referee (Mr J. Burgess) outlined the reasons for his action. He recommended that sufficient punishment had been meted out to the player. Mr Pearse stated the facts of the case, remarking that the player had a good reputation. He thought the ordering off sufficient punishment. The letter was received and the player placed on tho caution list. REFEREES’ RULINGS.

Mr Hickey brought up the matter of the different rulings by referees on various points of the game. He referred especially to players lying, on the ball, and not attempting to get* up. Referees had different interpretations of the rule and he would like more uniformity on the matter Mr Low explained the general interpretation of the rule, which has already appeared in the “Standard.” Alter further discussion the chairman moved that all clubs be written to asking for a list of points and rules on which there is any doubt of interpretation by referees, and that a general meeting of players be called to discuss the matter with the Referees’ Association. GENERAL. An application from li. G. Fletcher for reinstatement to Rugby was approved and the application will he forwarded to the New Zealand Union. Messrs J. Ilyan and W. Gleeson were re-appointed coaches of the representative team. The Feilding Football Club wrote applying for season tickets lor their club captain and secretary, and for a set of jerseys for one of their senior teams which meet at Johnston Park next Saturday. It was resolved that the requests be granted. The Feilding Football Club applied for the transfer of P. Reynolds from their senior B to senior A team, lhe letter stated that the ranks of the A team had been seriously depleted through injuries. The request was granted. A letter from Mr Morphy, ambulance officer at Feilding. tendering his resignation was received. His resig-

nation was accepted and Mr Morphy thanked for his past services. The "'Feilding High School fourth grade team applied for regarding to fifth grade. A motion granting permission was carried and a fifth grade competition is to be instituted, with Mr Colquhoun ds organiser, the matches to commence on Saturday. The Horowhenua Union advised that Wednesday, July 29, was acceptable to them as the date of the first match at Palmerston North with Manawatu, and asked for an early date for tw return match as they had difficulty in fielding a satisfactory team late in the season.—Mr Colquhoun suggested that the return match be played on August 15. He moved in that direction and it was carried. The Otago Union advised that it had been agreed to allow the ManawatuOtago match on August 12 to be for the Itanfurly Shield, subject to their holding the shield on that date. —The letter was received.

The headmasters of the Central and Terrace End Schools acknowledged receipt of complimentary tickets for tho 1936 season.

DRAW FOR SATURDAY. Senior grade.—United v. lvia Toa, No. 3 Showgrounds, 3 p.in. (Mr C. Eglinton) ; Feilding Old Boys v. Old Boys, No. 1 Johnston Park, 3 p.m. (Mr C. Eade); Feilding B v. St. Patrick’s, No. 2 Showgrounds, 3 p.ni. (Mr G. Cooksley); Massey College v. 1« eilding A, Oval, Showgrounds, 3 p.m. (Mr A. Weston).

Junior grade.—Old Boys v. High School, Oval, Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m. (Mr C. Pintold); Woodville v. St. Patrick’s, Woodville, 3 p.m. (Mr A. Ward); Kia Toa v. Bunnytliorpe, No. 2 Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m. (Mr B. lloldswortli); To Arakura v. Feilding Old Boys, No. 1 Johnston Park, 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Baker); Massey College v. United, No. 1 Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr G. Duthie). Third grade.—United v. Woodville, No. 2 Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr J. O’Keefe); Kia Toa v. St. Patrick’s, No. 2 Park Road, 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Burness); Old Boys v. Feilding Old Boys, No. 4 Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr A. Neville); Feilding v. Feilding High School, No. 2 Johnston Park, 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Pinfold). Fourth grade.—High School win from St. Patrick’s by default; Old Boys win from Woodville by default; Kia Toa v. Feilding High School, No. 2 Johnston Park, 3 p.m. (Mr S. Brown;. Midgets.—Terraco End A v. Terrace End B. Line umpires: Messrs A. Gordon and C. Taylor. “EFFICIENCY CUP.” NEW COMPETITION ROR JUNIOR GRADE. At last night’s meeting of the executive of the Manawatu Rugby Union it was decided to institute an efficiency cup for the junior grade on the lines of the Palmer memorial competition in Auckland and good conduct competition in Wellington. Mr E. W. Low brought tho matter forward and stated the lines on which the competitions in Auckland and Wellington are worked. Points are awarded by the referees controlling the games each Saturday for punctuality, appearance, attention to uniform, and gear, good conduct on the field, adherence to the rules of the game, and loyalty to the captain. Members agreed that the competition would he to the benefit of the game and it was decided that a competition, for which a cup will be awarded, should start on June C. A judicial committee consisting of Messrs Low, Plank, and the secretary was appointed to control the competition, which will he known as the Efficiency Chip. Points will be awarded on the lines in Auckland and Wellington. THREE FRONT SCRUM. EXPERIENCE IN ENGLAND. MR MEREDITH’S REPORT. With a view to assisting clubs to a better understanding of the three in the front row scrummage the New Zealand Rugby Union asked Mr VIt. Meredith (manager of the last All Black team) for his opinion on the proper method of working the three front row scrummage, gained from his experience in . Great Britain, and his observations make interesting reading. “With three in the front, the method of formation and pushing is entirely different from that as accepted in New Zealand in a 2-3-2 formation,” Mr Meredith states, “This difference is mainly in the stance of the front men. In 2-3-2 the usual stance was taken more or less with a view to he in a comfortable position to hook and at the same time take weight from the lock, side, and back row. Pushing by the hookers was not the first consideration. In Britain we found that on our front going down with their customary stance we were hopelessly outpushed, even though our other five men were pushing to their limit. The cause was ascertained by examination of our opponents’ methods. It was found that their front three men took up a stance that enabled them (a) to pack much lower than our front, and (b) to push every ounce they laid, and as intensely as any other member of the scrum. Tho net result was that they were underneath us and we were endeavouring to push eight men, all pushing their utmost, with five pushing all out anil three not pushing their full strengthSpeed of hooking did not save the situation as our front was pushed oft' the hall and in most cases, owing to the referee’s rulings there (that the hall went in when it had been fielded irrespective of whether the scrum was at the place of the breach or not), we were being pushed backwards when the ball went in.

“Tlie correct method of packing in front we found is for the front to get down as low as possible with the two feet together and right back, the back of the player to be absolutely fiat and as low as his neck, the position of the legs to be such that lie can push his maximum strength. It will be found that the hookers used to the old method of stance will feel uncomfortable at first, but they must get over it. “There is also a tendency sometimes,” Mr Meredith continues, “fori the scrum to collapse in front owing] to there being nothing to hold the front up and the backward position of tlie legs will not enable them to keep up unsupported bv an opposing scrum. This cannot be avoided. “Packed this way the scrum is much lower and accordingly longer. The main result of it is that with eight men taking a stand that enables every one to push his maximum this gives tremendous pushing power. There is a straight push along a low level of eight men. “If packing three in front, unless this method be adopted against a team which does not adopt it, to get possession is almost hopeless. The position is altogether different with two in front. With a three rank scrum of wedge formation the weight being directed inwards is focussed on one point in tlie front and a better pushing result with really less pushing. “With three in front and virtually only one other rank the weight is spread over a bigger front and tlie push coining from tlie back is not suffi-

cient if the opposing three in front are really pushing. “IVo also found in practice that, however the players were changed round, a 3 —4—l scrum could always push a 3—2—3; also after correcting our method of packing we could outpush any pack wc met, and with Hadley back we bad a tremendous majority of possession. The old rules apply about the front and locks getting down immediately the scrum is called for.

“We found that it was advisable,” said Mr Meredith in conclusion, “if a lock was not there for a side man to get in to enable the nucleus of the scrum to be there to hold the opposing weight.”

The report was before the Manawatu Rugby Union last evening when the chairman (Mr A. M. Ouglov) moved that coiiios bo sent to all clubs. Ho said that there were a number of debatable points in it. Mr J. R. Hardie remarked that it was a very valuable report and could be of importance to club coaches. NOTES ON THE GAME. PHYSICAL FITNESS. SATURDAY’S HARD GAME. (By “Half-Back.”) An outstanding feature of the clash between Massey College and Old Boys oil Saturday was the high standard of physical fitness shown by the personnel of both teams. The stamina, of the College forwards has been well proved in several matches in which they have borne the brunt of the attack, but their virility was equalled by that of the Old Boys pack who, after meeting the first shock tactics -of College, settled down to tigerish play and hold their heavier opponents. Relentless tackling brought the big College forwards toppling down when they got away with the ball. College made tlio mistake of endeavouring to confine their engagement to the forward division alone. It was when the backs, who were disorganised by having to substitute players ior both the regular five-eighths and the full-back, took a band towards the close of the game, that the College rushes reached their most powerful degree. With a smart rearguard, College would have won the day.

Olliver, thrusting deep with his tricky runs as second five-eighth, and Irvine, the half-back, helped greatly to win the game for Old Boys through their initiative and swift penetration, each paving the way for a try. lvingsbeer is a good forward, but lie must mend liis habit of getting offside if he is to save his side from being penalised. This is a fault which unfortunately takes a great deal of correction.

Moffa.tt, the centre three-quarter for Old Boys, was guilty of overshooting tho mark when his backs got moving, with the result that he was too far forward to accept the passes cleanly. This speed merchant will have to restrain himself a little if the maximum advantage is to be made of him as a scoring unit. D. Brinsden, St. Patrick’s first fivceiglith, wars in great form, cutting through the United team brilliantly. Fast off tho mark, he handled splendidly, and scored two ’->retty solo tries. For the 34 —1 scrum. W. Hadley, All Black hooker, lays particular emphasis on the point that the one man at the back must pack right in the middle of the second row, between the two ioclvS. 1). Solomon, the All Black fiveeighth, played a large part in Ponsonbv’s defeat of ’Varsity in a thrilling football duel in the Auckland championship on Saturday. He potted a goal and scored two great tries. E. W. Tindill, 1935 All Black fiveeighth, potted two beautiful goals for Athletic in the senior Rugby match against Marist in V ellington. H. T. Lilburne, the former Canterbury and New Zealand llugby representative, lias not appeared in Rugby League in Wellington this season, though club officials insist that lie will in due course take his place with Hutt. . According to the minutes of the New Zealand management committee, the schools’ grant of £iso is to he .allocated as for last year. An application for three school balls for Chatham Isalnd schools was granted. A suggestion from Otago that primary and secondary schools play the old kick-into-toucli rule was not agreed to. Tentative proposals by the Apia Rugby Union for a Samoan team to tour the North Island were referred to a subcommittee to be set up to go into the suggestions ior tours to New Zealand bv Japan and Canada. A USTR A LIA N CAJ ’ T AIN. As Cvrii Towers ban retired. Australia will have to find a new captain for its Rugbv team which is to tour New Zealand during the present season. The team will play the Maoris at Palmerston North on September 23. Among Sydney’s leading grade captains are three internationals : A. Hodgson (Manly). W. Cerutti (Parramatta) and K. Storey (Western Suburbs), and it is from tins trio that the new captain is mostly likely to be selected. Were experience the deciding iacloi. it could be said that Cerutti would be chosen. THE FLYING PRINCE.

Prince Alexander Obolensky, who won fame in a day by scoring two remarkable tries for England against the New Zealanders in the international Rugby football match at Twickenham, recently became a naturalised Englishman. He had to travel to Derbyshire to take the Oath of Allegiance before the only sheriff who has known him the requisite number of years. Speed was important, for the papers must be registered officially before lie could apply for a passport. Obolensky was one of the party of Oxford University players who was leaving tor a tour of the United States. He was educated at Trent College and is English already I in evcrvthing but his Russian birth, j having spent 17 of his 19 years in England. ! INTERPRETATION OF RULES. THE KNOCK-ON. A knock-on occurs when the ball, after striking a player’s hand or arm, travels ill the direction of his opponent's dead-ball lino. Eor some years past players and referees have not always been uniform in their ideas as to what constitutes a knock-on. The rule is now more clearly interpreted: “It is not necessary lor a player to propel the ball lor it to constitute a knock-on. If the ball strikes his hand or arm and bounds forward it is a knock-on.’ There is also a distinction between a knock-on and a rebound. If the ball hits a player on any part of the body except hand or arm it is a rebound and play goes on. A misfield is not a knock-on unless the hall travels in the direction of an opponent’s dead-ball line. Tf attackers knock-on in goal a drop out is awarded. A similar breach by j defenders results in a live yards scrummage. i

lIOROWHENUA SUB-UNION. TIIO positions of the teams in the Horowhenua Sub-Union’s competitions are: Senior. —Foxton, Opts.; Hui Mai, 8; Shannon, 6; Kuku, 5; Punaliau, 4; Athletic, 3; United, 2; Waimeha, 2; Wanderers, 1. Junior championship.—The position of teams in the junior championship competition is as follows:—Otaki, 7 pts.; Shannon. 6; Foxton, 6; Raimi. 5: Athletic, 2; United, 2; Hui Mai, 0.