LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19337, 26 May 1926, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

CHOOSING TOURING TEAM.

REMARKS OF A SELECTOR. Most League footballers nurse tho hope that they will play their way into tho New Zealand touring team, so the points most, likely to be taken into consideration by the selectors, as outlined by Mr. E. H. Mair, who is one of those to whom the task of selection is entrusted, should bo of interest.

Before his departure for Australia on Saturday Mr. Mair said it was intended to pay more attention to the claims of the younger players who could look forward to years of football after their return to New Zealand, in preference to thoso men who had practically reached the end of their playing career and were likely to drop out as soon as they came back. The members of tho team, after their return, would bo expected to coach their club-mates in the finer points of the game.

Only fit men, essentially of good physique, would bo considered, as the tour would bo strenuous, with two, 'and sometimes three, matches a week. He was certain that few players were yet fit enough, and expressed tho opinion that while they might be doing plenty of running and training, physical exercises were almost entirely neglected. Ho had prepared a programme of strenuous exercises to bo performed by every player taking part in tho trial games. Forwards and Inside Backs.

During his tour through New Zealand Mr. Mair saw nearly all the League players in action in the various centres and ho is sure that a very strong team can. be chosen. The type of forward playing particularly impressed him. Big forwards with plenty of pace were being sought. The wings and centres would, have to be tried in positions closer to the scrum, he said, in discussing (he absence of brilliant inside backs. There was a dearth of players capable of rising to great heights as halfbacks and five-eighths. If it was possible to find or coach two players of Duncan Thompson's calibre the New Zealand team would beat, any side in England. Mr. Mair expects to return to New Zealand in time to see the trial games that have been arranged in connection with the selection of the team.

IL McDonald, the well-known New Zealand representative who gained his cap as a member of the City Club, is one of the leading players under the control of the newly-established League centre at Eotorua, McDonald was expected in Auckland last week, as he intended to play for City again, but ho has evidently altered his plans. New Zealander in Sydney.

" Massa " Johnson, a member of the 1905 All Blacks, was recently appointed coach to the Litbgow League Club, New South Wales.

J. Hickey,' the former Rngbv All Black, is -the latest convert to the League code. In 1922 Hickey showed fine form, as a three,quarter while playing for Tarnnaki and was chosen for the North Island team that year, subsequently visiting Australia with the 1922 New Zealand team. He has joined a. Dunedin League club. The free insurance scheme of the Auckland League is being taken full advantage of this season, and already a record number of claims has been dealt with. No club in the competition has suffered as much as Devonport, which lias no fewer than eight members laid aside with injuries, all being the result of accidents. S. Webb, one of the mainstays of the team, badly injured bis ankle against Ponsonby, and has stood down for three weeks. J. Laing, who fractured a small ankle bone, is progressing well, as is also T. Richards, who broke a bono in the hand. A. Dixon, with an injured shoulder, A. Scott, who has a broken nose, A. Harper, E. Cleaver and E. Borver are other Devonport men who have been incapacitated. Brisbane Out of Luck, One of tho most unfortunate players of tho code is H. Brisbane, the Marist threequarter, who broke a small bone in his shoulder in the opening game. Brisbane showed excellent form in his first appearance and gave promise of repeating tho football shown last season in Australia. It will he some weeks before he will again take his place in the Marist team. A, Gregory, who received slight concussion when playing for Marist against Devonport, has now recovered. Newton were unlucky in losing the services of G. Hargreaves, who injured his collarbone against Richmond, and will 1)0 laid aside for several weeks. Good improvement is reported in the cases of B. Davidson, with a broken rib, and 3N. Bass, with a sprained ankle, but S. Usher, of Ponsonby, has not ben so fortunate. Playing the 32 all Rule.

The new " play-thc-hall " rule introduced in Sydney lias had a lot to do with the speeding up of the game there. The new rule allows only two players to play tho ball —the man tackled and the tackier. If his were brought into operation in New Zealand it would make the game even more attractive. It cannot be denied that the. rule, as at present interpreted, is tho one blot on the game. This New Souh Wales amendment has lots of advantages and should be a great success. Players would be much quicker in releasing opponents and tho man in possession of tho ball would not take so much time in bringing tho hall into play. Under the present New Zealand system not only a player's opponents but also his own' supports frequently hamper him when he is trying to stand. In the spirit of tho rule "bridging," or tho formation of a loose scrum around the tackled player, was never intended, and it should not be necessary for 12 forwards to bring the ball back into play. If, is to bo hoped that the New Zealand Referees' Association follows closely the success or otherwise of the move made by the New South Wales League. YACHTS AND LAUNCHES. NEW AUCKLAND CRAFT. An order for a fast \-bottom ciuisoi has been placed with Mr. 11. Lang by Mr D. Swallow. She will be 36ft. 9in. overall and will bo fitted with a 160 h.p. engine. .A. stcii't on tliG new cmft will be made at an early dateMr. S. Ford, of Ponsonby, has received an order for a new ctnisei for a local yachtsman. In addition to this boat ho will make a start at an early date on a. 38ft. launch for hire service. The Richmond Cruising Club will hold its annual prize night on June 22. The, function will take the form of a social and dance. For many years past the Akarana Yacht Club has'always celebrated its prize night by holding a smoke concert. This year, however, the committee has decided to distribute tho prizes at a social and dance to be held on June 30. Tho 14ft. .Icllicoo boat, Resolute, lately owned by Mr, 11. Murphy, has been purchased by Mr. W. Mansfield, of Ponsonby. Resolute was raced very little last season, but now that she has changed hands she will bo a frequent competitor in several of tho clubs next season. Tho King's racing yacht Britannia has just undergone .various alterations recommended by Mr. William Fife in order to improve lier speed in light weather. Slip lias also been fitted with a new'mast and sails of increased area. The Britannia was launched at Cowes lust mouth.