RUGBY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 May 1937, Page 16

RUGBY NOTES

MASSEY COLLEGE TEAM. FLETCHER RETURNING NORTH. (By “Front Row.”) " Massey College are fielding a strong team but, owing to. their not taking part in the first round of the Maiiawatu Rugby Union's competition, it will probaoly take two or three hard matches to bring them to top form. They have lost the services of three prominent players. Though it had been anticipated that C. Fletcher would turn out for College as first five-eighth, it appears that he is now an ’ardent golf disciple, and will pursue the little white ball instead of the leather oval. It is understood that, in any event, he will be returning to Auckland in three weeks’ time. Formerly a player for Feilding Old Boys, D. F. Hart, the best hooker in the College team, will not be available this season. He suffered an arm injury in an early practice game, and is complying with medical orders in not taking the field again this season. Lewes, another good College forward, has linked up with Old Boys. Griffiths Dropped.

Form shown in Wellington this season by J. L. G'riffitlis, the New Zealand captain of last year’s test teams against the Australian side, has been so poor that the sole selector, Mr M. F. Nicholls, had no option but to drop him from the side which met Taranaki this week. Le Quesne (formerly of Manawatu) and Veitcli were the five-eighths. Another notable absentee from the team was J. M. Watt, the speedy wing three-quarter of last year’s All Blacks. Watt, who is studying medicine l at the Wellington Hospital, was not available for tlie match, but will be available for Wellington’s matches later in the season.

Wanganui Player Injured. H. Brogden, the Kaierau half-back, suffered a broken leg in the match with Pirates at Wanganui last week. Not So Weighty. Although the virile Ivia Toa pack look weighty, appearances are deceptive. They have several big men, but the scale is balanced on the other side by lighter ones, and the scrum averages 12st 41b. Auckland’s Casualties. Four of Auckland’s best-known Rugby players, W. E. Hadley (Marist), T. E. Lockington (Grammar), J. Dick (Grafton) and R. G. Bush (University), are at present on the injured list, “'inless 1 can get properly fit I not. attempt to play in the trial matches ill July,” said Hadley. Two weeks ago he injured a cartilage in the ribs and the injury has so far not mended. His services as hooker against the Springboks are urgently needed by New Zealand this year. J. Dick, the speedy Grafton wing threequarter, received a kick, in the back during the Aukland-Waikato match at Hamilton on Coronation Day. It is likely to be another month before Lockington can turn out again. He; broke a small bone in his wrist in at club match early in the season and has been on the side-line with his wrist in plaster of paris ever since. Auckland’s former representative fullback, R. G. Bush (University), two weeks ago broke a blood vessel below the knee in his left leg. Amateur Status Lost.

One of the outstanding forwards in Australian Rugby football, 0. Bridle, Victoria, who has figured prominently in many Test matches against the All Blacks, has become automatically excluded from the Rugby Union code in Australia. He lost his amateur status by training with a professional team, and by seeking inclusion as a regular player. Returning To Natal. H. G. owen-Smith has probably played his last game as full-back and captain of the English and Oxford University Rugby fifteens.' He ,’s to sit in the final examination of his degree in medicine in June and, if successful, is likely to return to Natal, South Africa. Owen-Smith would be greatly missed by English Rugby, having been one of-the finest full-backs and goalkickers to play for England for many years. He has also ; cliieved great success as a cricketer for Oxford, and had previously represented South Africa in this sport.

Best Wairoa Forward. Hawea Mataira. the 1934 Ail Black, is rated as the best forward in the Wairoa Sub-Union at present. Boxer And Rugby. Georges Cacpentier, the famous French heavyweight boxing champion of past years, was still in almost perfect physical condition when on a. recent visit to London. Carpentier is a great Rugby enthusiast. He motored, many miles to witness a county match, and declared that, after boxing, he considered Rugby football to be the greatest sport of all.

A Birthday Present. J. A. Broodrijk, Springbok Rugby three-quarter, celebrated his twentysixth. birthday on the day he was selected for the tour of Australia and New Zealand—the best birthday present any footballer could hope for. Bush And Horowhenua.

In acknowledgment of the Horowhenua Rugby Union’s challenge, the Rugby Football Union has replied offering Saturday, July 17, for a match for the Bebbington v Shield, should Dannevirke not annex the trophy on July 3. The Bush Union has also asked for "a visit from the Horowhenua juniors for the Gillespie trophy on July 10.— Dates have been accepted.