RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

FRIENDLY GAMES PLAYED. NEW SCRUM FORMATIONS. Most or the Rugby football clubs in Auckland held friendly matches on Saturday, the playerg allowing they had indulged in solid training during the week in view of the seven-n-Bide tournament next Saturday. A good deal of interest centred in the new scrum formations. Several different formations were made during the play, but the most popular was the 8-4-1, Oji occasions tlie 0-4 formation was adojited with a wing forward. As is usual at the start of the season, minor casualties were frequent. C. Satherley, the ei-Manukau forward who has joined Technical Old Hoys, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital suffering from a twisted knee, D. Milliken, the Auckland and University threequarter, received a severe cut ill the chin and was treated at the Auckland Hospital, two Btitches being necessary. I*I,AY IN THE COUNTRY. START OF THE SEASON. Rugby competitions were commenced in several of the country centres of the Auckland Province on Saturday, and a number of friendly matches were played, The following results were forwarded by corresp.on4ents of the Jlehald: — Putukohe.—Bombay defeated Ramblers, Pukekohe, in a friendly match at Bopibay by 14 points to 13.

Tuakau.—Tuakau seniors defeated White Star eeniors (Pukekohe) in a friendly match by 3 points to 0. Tuakau juniors also won from White Star juniors by 0 points to 0. Waiukll The Grafton senior team won a match against the Waiuku Union's representatives at AVaiuku by 23 points to 3. Tho city team showed better combination than its opponents. A curtain-raiser between United (,Aka Aka relief workers' camps) and tho Waiuku Union's second senior representative team resulted in a draw, 7 all.

W)l9ng£re|.—A friendly match was played on Rugby Park. Whangarei, between the Auckland Training College and the Whangarei Old Boys senior teams. The weather was ideal, and there was a fair attendance. After a. very even game tho result was a draw, there being no score by cither side. Just before half-time J. S. Webster, a member of tho Training College team, had to retire owing to an injury to the knee. Morrinsville.—Matches under the control of the Morrinsvillo Rugby Union commenced on Saturday with tho Marshall Cup competition. Results were:—Seniors: Terriers. 81, Waitoa, 9; United, 9. Kcreone. 3. Juniors: Kereone. 3. United, 3; Old Boys, 6, Tahnna, 0; Te Puninga, 8, Tainui, n Ti Puke.—ln the first match of the season at Te Puke United (Te Puke), 11. beat Cadet Old Boy 3 (Tauranga), 7. Mercury Bay.—ln a, hard-fought match Whitianga defeated Kuaotunu by 6 points to 0 at Whitianga. United defeated Rovers at Coroglen by 18 point 3 to 5. Tfl Aroha. —The junior competition was commenced, the senior games having been postponed until tho end of the month. Results were:—Elston, 12, beat Lily, 8; Hot Spring, 12, beat Terriers. 5. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. Following are Ihe results of competition matches played in Southern centres on Saturday, state Press Association messages : Wellington.—Poneke, 39. University, 3: Oriental, 7, Hutt, 6; Petone, 10, Marist. 5: Wellington, 10, Wellington College Old Boys, 0; Berhampore, 13, Miramar, 8; Eastbourne, 19, Athletic, 8. Chrlltchurch.—Christchurch. 10. Old Boys, 6; Merivale, 18. University. 0; Albion, 33, Athletic, 3; Sydenham, 24, Linwood, 0. NEW SCRUM FORMATION. DECISION OF CONFERENCE. II was agreed at the annual conference, of delegates to the New Zealand Ruirhy Union that all unions should ndopt_ the scrum formation of three men in the front row and abolish tho wing-forward position. The resolution was carried by 50 votes to 21. In the opening matches of the season at Wellington on Saturdav no uniformity was observed, three teams following the old style.