No “Rough-House” Rugby in Dominion

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7294, 2 August 1930, Page 15

No “Rough-House” Rugby in Dominion

SYDNEY ALLEGATIONS LEAGUE ATTACKS ALSO Hardly had Dr. Adams (President of the New Zealand Rugby Union) uttered his piece regarding rough play which he-alleged against a South Canterbury representative when that team was playing the British team, than overseas papers picked upon a splendid item of news to “have a lick” at a country recognised throughout the world to be preeminent in any branch of sport which you like to mention (says an Australian correspondent of the “Sportsman,” Wellington). If New Zealand docs not boast champions in every division of sport It can at least' show the world how to run their works without the brawls in meetings, etc., which appear to be a regular occurrence in other countries. So much for that! Regarding rough Rugby play in New Zealand, one Sydney paper came to light with the heading: “The New Zealanders have been accused oi savagery before;” “New Zealand "players are always imbued with desire to win at all costs;” "The good old days in N.S.W —Bunions and Ears.” "RUTHLESS METHODS” The article goes on to state that tins British team now touring the Dominion is not the first' to complain about “rough house” tactics in New Zealand. ’Tis said that the British League team which visited the country in 1928 bitterly complained about the “ruthless methods” of New Zealnd forwards. The English players stated that particularly in the Test matches they received a torrid time. Mr. Dave Murray, Australian trainer who tripped with the Britishers to New Zealand, was .the party concerned who had such a lot to say. MurraV described the New Zealanders’ tactics as "savagery.” He relates the case of big Bill Burgess who was ruthlessly mauled and had his nose kicked to, pulp.

He continues to say that the English managers were so disgusted with the treatment of their players that they intended to recommend to the English Council that no other English team visit ’New Zealand. That is all Mr. Burgess says. Quite enough too! V The English team of two years ago was the “roughest of them all” and deserved the term as applied to some of our wrestlers, but these grapplers follow a legitimate trade. English League sides are known for their tactics throughout the length and breadth of .the League world, but New Zealand does not squeal. In its first match in Australia a forward was ordered off and so "savage” was his behaviour that police protection had. to be sought. ' WHAT A UNION STAR SAYS This particular paper prints an exclusive interview with Mr. T. S. Smith, a for;«er N.S.W. representative who toured pw Zealand in 1921 and played against'Dominion teams on several occasions. The paper says that there is no more competent person to express an opinion than Mr. Smith who, so the paper says, fairly revelled in the heavy ruck work against the New Zealand "Savages.” Mr. Smith says that, when the New Zealanders are defending, they play with the greatest vigour. On occasions he thought some of their tactics wei’e only to take the minds of the players off the game and to make them temporarily forget their objective. Off the field he found the New Zealanders fine men, but when in danger of defeat (he now means on the field) they displayed a remarkable fervour as if imbued with the idea that they must win at all costs. ’ The fact that they were representing New Zealand with all its glorious football history to uphold, transformed them into a team of supermen, impervious to fatigue and injury. The# writer saw Smith in all his representative games in New South Wales since 1922, and is very pleased to be able to enlighten Mr. Smith that he was far removed from being a gentleman in club games as well as representative. He cannot boast a clean slate as far as having never been ordered off for such “savagery” ashhe is so vef y good to slate the AH

Blacks with. Smith should be the last man in the world to open out. Just one other “small” incident can be recalled to mind. There is an old saying “Whatever transgression one member of the family commits, the remaining members have to suffer.” The particular incident occurred in the second Test against Jim Donald's band of tourists. N. C. Smith, brother of T. S. Smith, was the culprit. K.O.’D JIM DONALD The Wairarapa stalwart was standing near the touch-line watching proceedings when N. C. Smith walked up to him and k.o.’d Jim with one of the best right crosses seen on a football field or in any stadium where such tactics are legitimate. And behold the Incident happened not five yards away from where the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Forster, and Lady Forster, Lord Stradbroke and Lady Stradbroke, of Victoria, and Sir Dudley and Lady de Chair were sitting. Donald’s eye closed completely. N. C. Smith was always known to be far from a clean player, and in any Rugby discussions in which vivid incidents are recalled, the Donald-Smith incident is always talked of.