FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13006, 25 October 1905, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

The New Zealand footballers piny the Devon port Albion fifteen to-day. The result, which wiil reach us to-morrow morning, will be awaited with considerable interest, as the Devonport Albions arc said to be a strong Rugby combination.

B. J. SWANNEEI ON THE NEW /■FA LANDERS.

Mr. , Blair J. Swaniiell, it well-known Rugby footballer, who was a member of the I&S9 and 1901- British teams which visited Australia and New Zealand, supplies, some valuable information about the merits of the New Zealand "tourists" who have just arrived in this country (says the London Daily Express of September 13). When the Britishers returned home, Swannell remained behind. He played lor Now South Wales against the present New Zealand team us recently as -July 8. and 15. He also represented Australia in the August New Zealand tour, so his position to criticise is indisputable.

He does not think that the colonials stand any chance in tho internationals, but expects they will do pretty well in club matches. He excepts • Swansea, who he suggests ought to prove too strong for the New Zealandors.

( He gives full details as to their ideas " down under" of formation in the field, which should prove of exceptional interest to British Rugbcians. They play seven forwards and one wing forward, who practically rests his hand on the pack, and is level with his own front row 011 the open side. Generally it is the right-hand side, and his duty is to follow the ball in the scrum.

When the ball comes out he " nurses" his scrum-half (should the opponents get control of it), and either attempts to smother their half-back, or hook the ball from the serum and dribble off with it.

It will be seen that lie must be constantly off-side, and Mr. Swannell tersely adds: " In the United Kingdom ho will be penalised until he is fairly sick. Have a yarn with Harding or Mciv. Saunders about the wing forward."

; The forwards have fixed places in the pack, and they always take the same position in every scrum.

They only play one orthodox half*'— called scrum half-back— ami in attack he practically does nothing except push .the ball out to the two "five-eighths" (who are similar to two centre thrcequartcrs and fairly close to aid behind the serum). It can be seen that, the whole idea is that the wing forward nurses the initial' operations of his comrades.

Behind the two "five-eights" are three "threequarters" and a fullback. This system is'all right in attack, but owing to having so many men close up to the scrum the New Zealanders' defence is wo,"A when opposing straight-running " threes" have to he coped with. ■ v ■ Mr. Swannell says that he cannot contemplate their seven (who pack two, three, two), holding an eight of English "pushers." lie is full of praise for the.sportsmanlike game they plat, and states that, their forwards in the loose are decidedly fast, good tacklers and dribblers, besides being quick 011 the ball.

Their line-out play, too, will probably teach Britishers a useful lesson.

• Their back division is very fast, and their '* out sides" kick well, hut do not utilise touch as much as players in this country do.