THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE.

OPINIONS OF SELECTORS.

INTERPRETATIONS OF RULES. ENGLISH TEAM'S iTINERARY. As tho result of last Saturday's trial matches it seems likely that the Auckland Rugby League will bo able to place a good thirteen in the field against England. Although tho Auckland forwards wero beaten by the South Auckland pack the local rear division gave a promising display. Tho backs infused plenty of pace into their movements and backed uy with good judgment.

There is a difference' of opinion between the selectors as to merits of some players and changes have been made in the rear division for tho North Island fixture noxt Saturday. Mr. T. A. McClymont is responsible for the selection of the North Island team, while Messrs. E. Asher, B. Avery and W. J. Mincham selected the Auckland team. Mr. McClymont has dropped Campbell from fullback for Laing, while the formation of the other backs differs slightly from that selected to represent Auckland. Prentice lias been given an opportunity at five-eighths and Cooke moved to centre in place of Davidson.

The Auckland selectors are not likely to make many changes in tho team which ■ defeiited South Auckland last week. Players who did well in tho Possibles and Probables match have been added to those already chosen for practice during the next two weeks. Material for Coach. When Mr. W. Kelly, the Australian coach, takes ovor the team for the first test he will find among local players really good talent to work on. It is to be hoped a ganje of carefully-planned _ movements will bo adopted. Tho Auckland team is more likely to be successful by good team work than a defensive game. Cooke is the long-wanted typo of player to sharpen up the play of the five-eighths. The ball has rarely travelled faster to the threequarters tjian it did on Saturday. Cooke's wonderful anticipation and speed off the mark made this possible. Both Brisbane and Davidson gave Cooke good assistance on attack and the trio are likely to still further give spectators at headquarters samples of thp true League game. It is difficult to account for the display of the Auckland pack against South Auckland. The scrum was badly formed, particularly so * with . the second row men. The ball travelled through the passage to Mclntyre very slowly and it was all the more credit to the backs that they did so well. It is not surprising after Saturday's display that only Hutt and Hall gaine'd places in the North Island team.

The coach may find his task difficult to mould the vanguard into good enough shape to strind up against the powerful English forwards. The visitors will have a powerful - pack, which is particularly gooc'l in scrum work.

Scrum Lacks Balance

There "was no balance in the Auckland scrum on Saturday and little attention seemed to be paid to the necessity of a tightly-formed 4 scrum. The second row forwards must j concentrate their weight on-the hooker if-the side expects to get the ball. Auckland's prospects against the Englishmen, and even New Zealand's for that matter, depend upon the forwards winning possession of the ball. It is evident that trouble is likely if players continue to play the ball in the haphazard .manner seen on Saturday. The English interpretation is not being enforced by referees. • It. is usual to see three or four fonvards standing alongsido the player tackled and "when the ball is dropped .others kicking at it. The observance of the five-yards rule is being ignored. It should be clearly understood that in England both attacking and defending players stand behind the ball and no' one shall come within syds. of the halfback. Twice in the Auckland and South Auckland'match free kicks were given for the forward pass. It is known that the Englishmen will- insist on the first breach, a pass forward being ruled and a scrum being ordered. A vast difference of opinions on tho laws of the gamo was shown in a recent discussion between Mr. G. F. Hutchins, one of the English team managers, and members of the Australian team and referee. Mr. Hutchins said he was astounded when the Australian views wero put forward as to when a player was offside at the scrum. The Englishmen maintain that an attacking player is offside if he passes the front row forwards. This is a ; surprising .ruling, as the English law book says: "A penalty kick shall be awarded if any player not in a scrum gets in. a line with his forwards before the ball comes out from the scrum."

This law is clear on the point and there is nothing to uphold Mr. Hutchins' statement relative to the front row forwards. The view of the Australians is upheld by Mr. T. McMahon, a one-time famous referee,, who said the law was framed originally to give the halfback protection which he has not got in -Rugby Union. It is .evident, .therefore, that, all players not in the scrum must be behind the back row forward. English Team's Visit. The English Rugby League team will arrive in Auckland ,by the Niagara next Monday. Eight matches will be played in New Zealand, the first of the tour .being "against Northland at Whangarci next Wednesday. The first test against New Zealand will be played at Carlaw Park next Saturday week. The itinerary of the tour is as follows:

Next Wednesday.—v.' Northland, at Whangarei. Saturday, July 30.—v. New Zealand, first test, at Auckland.

Wednesday, August 3. —v. South Auck land, at Taupiri.

Saturday, August 6. —v. Auckland, at Auckland.

Wednesday, August 10.—v. West Coast, at Greymouth. Saturday, August 13.—v. New Zealand, second test, at Christ church.

Wednesday, August 17, v. North Island team, at Wellington. Saturday, August 20.—v. New Zealand, third test,, at Auckland.