THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20931, 22 July 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

GOOD TACKLING WITNESSED.

POOR SCRUM FORMATIONS. ANNUAL INTER-ISLAND MATCH. The second meeting of Marist and City did not produco the good football displayed by tho teams in the first round, but the match was nevertheless keenly contested. Few spectators leaving Carlaw- Park agreed that there were eight points difference between the teams. The importance of the- game seemed to be j taken too seriously by either sido and j this had an effect on the standard of play. < Tlio tactics of the City backs in playing close on tlio Marist rear division proved completely successful. It must ;bo said, however, that McLaughlin, anticipating Marist would win tho ball, stood so close to Brisbane that ho was sometimes offside. The City five-eighths .did his work well in putting Brisbane ' oft' his game,' but he was lucky to get so much latitude. Time and again Brisbane was forced to stand still and pass to Young, who was closely watched by Davidson. Rarely has such excellent tackling been scon ."ft headquarters. Clean scrums are very rare these days. The referee in the City-Marist game was compelled to blow his whistle three times on several occasions before tho ball could bo placed fairly in tho scrum. Both halfbacks were at fault and put tho ball in anywhero but in the centre of the front row. Tho hookers, too, preferred to fall down in a blind effort to hook tho ball. Saturday's display as far as scrum forma tion was concerned was indeed poor. Play-the-Ball Kule. Tho play-lhe-ball rule is becoming more of a farce each week and it is time the authorities reverted to tho interpretation in tho rulo 'book. At present a player going down on the ball gives the opposition no chance of gaining possession, 'ilie present rulo is really, a privilege to tlio attacking backs to regain the ball and amounts to a pass off tho foot. It is certainly spoiling good plav among ths | forwards. Most players . would welcome a change to the old rule. The knee injury received by Brady in tho Rugby League match against Newton two weeks ago is more serious than at first-thought. The Marist five-eighths has slipped a cartilege and an operation has been suggested. Followers of the code will wish a speedy recovery to one of the code's most promising backs. Marist will in all probability call on Gregory to replace Brady for the remainder of the season. In form Gregory is a splendid all-round player and' has won representative honours at both Rugby and League. ■ The habit of players tackling opponents after "the whistle has gone—sometimes three or four seconds —should be stamped out by referees. These 'instances are best detected by linesmen, who are in good positions to assist referees. On the No. 2 ground on Saturday a player was hurt badly as the result of a late tackle. Considerable interest is being taken in the selection of the North Island team to meet the South Island at Carlaw Park on August 15. In past seasons tho visitors have had a decided advantage in the forwards, mainly due tq better scrum formation. The selector no doubt will concentrate his 'attention on powerful for-. Wafds Whose job must be to get the ball. ■ ! Strength in Backs. Th'ere are no very outstanding forwards iu the game to-day and Mr. A. McClyhiorit, the selector, might do worse than try some new blood. Lawless (Rich■mond), Ruby and A. Scott (Devonport), Campbell (Marist),- and* Clarke and" Ive-son.-(City) arc players .who have shown good: form.'. Last season South Auckland, provided .a majority of tho forwards and tho Waikato League still possesses some fine players. The strength of the -North Island team is certain to be iu the rear division. Kxperience has given local backs a decided advantage and positions are silrc to be keenly contested. Median and List (Marist) have strong claims as wing-three-quarters. Mineham (Richmond) is also a likely candidate. These players would score tries outside Davidson (City), who is a .natural' centre. His form of late stamps., the City captain as a player oJ high standard. Seagar and Brisbane have good claims for inclusion as five-eighths. .Hassan stands out as the best local halfback, but Abbott (South Auckland) is a dangerous rival. The New Zealand Council has announced that Mr. J. Sanders, of Christchurch, has been appointed solo selector of the South Island team. Mr. 'Sanders' lias had considerable experience and shquld be a good judge. lie represented Canterbury and the South Island for several seasons and played for New Zealand in 1921 and 1925. * He retired three seasons ago, but has played for his old club, Addington, in Christchurch, this season.