RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20593, 18 June 1930, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

BRITISH TOURING TEAM.

PROSPECTS FOR FIRST TEST

PORTER GETS JUST REWARD

The Bi'if isli Rugby team appears to luivo created a wonderful impression in Dunedin bv its overwhelming victory against Otago on Saturday last. It lias been freely stated in these columns that tho Britishers are a particularly dangerous side whenever the backs can gain possession of tho ball. One would judge that tho Otago ,<forwards wcro no match for the visitors in the set scrums, as tho British backs appeared to have monopolised tho ball practically throughout.

The British backs have to bo seen under fuch circumstances for anyono to •realise what .v dangerous scoring combination they really are. Tho game against Taranaki was another such example, as provided by the latest contest, only tho scoring in tho Otago match was considerably heavier. At New Plymouth tho Taranaki forwards were run off their feet in tho second spell, with tho consequence that the. British backs had a great innings.

One good point about tho Otago match is that it will give mnch revived interest to the first'test, which is to bo played on the same ground next Saturday. It will tomo as a, big surprise, howover, if tho Mew Zealand pack does not control the ball in , tho scrums, or at least get as much of it as tho visitors. In tho loosp tho All Blacks should take no end of Flopping, and so the truo defence of tho British backs will be displayed.

Match at Oamaru.

Tho New Zealanders aro playing a scratch game to-day against a North Otago side at Oamaru. All the 19 players selected are bound to get a run, and the learn for Saturday will be selected after tho contest. The names will bo eagerly looked for, but any 15 out of the 19 should bo capable of defeating tho Britishers. One is forced to this conclusion on tho results of the Wellington and Canterbury games. , , Tho score in tliß test roatch, liowevcr, irjay not bo so largo as many predict. It must bo remembered that it would liavo taken a fairly good Now Zealand side to defeat either Wellington or Canterbury. Both had a fine array of backs who have represented New Zealand, while quite a good proportion of the Canterbury forwards had previously worn the All Black for the British team in tho first test would create a big surprise, and, if such is- effected, then tho visitors are a much better combination than tho fcoundest critics givo them tho credit ot

The appointment of C. G. Porter as captain of the All Blacks should be hailed with delight by every truo Rugby sportsman It will be recollected that on tho tour' of the All Blacks in 1924 Porter, who also captained that invinciblo combination, did not play in the test matches against Ireland, Wales, or England. (No lest was played against Scotland). I ortcr was one of the selection committee on that occasion, and, no doubt, had ho pressed .his claims, lie would have been in tho team to play England. Recognising, however, that Parker was playing great football, Porter stood down in favour of the Canterbury winger. How inanv captains would liavo done this under similar circumstances? Porter now rets bis due reward in being chosen to lead tho All Blacks against the British team, and, apart altogether from his undoubted ability as a player, the honour could not have been conferred upon a more sportsmanliko footballer. Technical's Record Checked.

Although defeated by Grammar Old Boys on Saturday, Technical Old Boys lias a record for a young club ol which it may feel justly proud. Op to Saturday I.ho senior team had won 17 games on end Last season it won the Auckland liugby Union's Pollard Cup competition, beat the; Thames representatives, and also the Ponsonby senior team in a night match at Blandford Park. This season the team won all its games in the senior championship, seven on end, until beaten last Saturday in the eighth series ot matches. . F. W Lucas, tho ronsonby captain, is now playing in his best form. Against University on Saturday ho made soma .splendid openings by cleverly beating his man in passing bouts, while at others hi 3 jinky running completely nonplussed tho opposition. On one occasion Lucas ran through practically tho whole defence and a try resulted. Corner, the diminutive representative* halfback, is playing fine football at present. Nevertheless ho has a serious rival for his position in Harris, the iechnical Old Boys half. Playing behind a beaten pack last Saturday Harris did some great work, both on attack and defence. When he baffled the opposition from the base of ihe scrum at halfway lie fully deserved a try, which would havo resulted with letter support.