UNIVERSITY RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 12

UNIVERSITY RUGBY.

NEW SOUTH WALES TOUR.

AUCKLAND PLAYERS' RETURN. LESSONS IMPARTED BY TEAM. Rugby football in New South Wales has benefited greatJy by the tour of the New Zealand University team and a strong Australian sLdo will be 6een in New Zealand shortly, according to the Auckland members of the University team who returned by tlic Marama. from Sydney yesterday. The Auckland party comprised Messrs. D. Carter, W. Barker, N. Edwards and J. McVeagh. Peacocke, the fifth Auckland player, returned with the main portion of the team to Wellington. "The New Zealand players taught the Australians a lesson, of which they woro not slow to take advantage," said Mr. Carter. '"The success gained by the New Zealand team was due mainly to superiority in tactics and combination. By changing its tactics in the final test match Sydney University was able to play us to a draw."

Referring to the win over tho New South Wales State team, Mr. Carter said it had to bo remembered that the State players had had litt.lo practice together. Although the win was a decisive one, no discredit was reflected upon the individual members of the home team. Malcolm, halfback, Ross, fullback, and Towers, at centre, were the outstanding players in Australia, to-day. Man for man tho Australians were faster than the New Zealrfnders, but they were met by deadly tackling.

One of tho lessons imparted by tho visitors was that of "backing-up" by forwards and backs and the State backs, who showed too much preference for passing in all parts of tho field, also learned the advantages to be gained by judicious kicking. The Australian forwards were excellent in the line-outs, but seemed to havo lost the art of dribbling, and did not break through as quickly as tho New Zealand men. Tho visitors scrummaged on even terms throughout the tour and they gained their fair share of tho ball. Jt was considered that tho Australian team would concentrate on the improvement of those departments in which it was weak and would send a strong side to New Zealand". Tho Auckland party was agreed that the outstanding members of the Dominion team were Bush, at fullback, StevensonWright, the Otago wing-forward, and the Wellington forward, Peidrich. It was stated that Bush proved superior to Ross, the State fullback, and his all-round kick-

ing was a great help to the side. Steven-son-Wright gave a fine exhibition of tho wing-forward game, and was not penalised once on the tour, whilo Duidiich was always on tho ball. The tour was thoroughly enjoyed by

the New Zealand team and a fine spirit of co-operation was shown throughout. The grounds were found to bo hard and some of the players suffered from injured ankles and knees. Although tho gates wero not very large, the tour was a financial success.