THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21257, 10 August 1932, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE

LESSONS FROM ENGLISHMEN KNOWLEDGE OF FINER POINTS CHANGES IN TEST THIRTEEN Tlie two mulches played by the English team in Auckland have served to show that it. has a much greater knowledge of the finer points of the game than New Zealand players. Another lesson which could very well he learned from the visitors is in positional play, and support of a player with the ball. There is no doubt the English team has the game down to a fine art. It plays the rules to the limit and this is especially noticeable with regard to the five yards rule. There were occasions on Saturday on which forwards stayed inside this area when Campbell, the Auckland fullback, was in possession. One recalls the visit of the last English team which adopted similar tactics. Duftv, when in a position like Campbell, went up and touched one of the offside players. Although the present team has proved exceptionally clever it cannot be said that its form has yet reached tho stand-' aid of that of previous English combinaations. Its all-round play is not of such quality as that set by Wagstaffe's side in 1920, while the last English team in 1924 was a better defensive thirteen. At the same time the standard of New Zealand play is not at such a h'igh level as it was during thesf years. It is not surprising after Saturday's match that the New Zealand selectors have rearranged tho team for the second test match at Christchureh next Saturday. Five Aucklanders have won favour in Davidson, Hassan, Lawless. Campbell, the hooker, and Watene. r l he four first-named players have all justified their selection by their displays against the Englishmen. Delgrotso Not Available Delgrosso, who was originally chosen as fullback, was not available, and Watene, on his form in the trials, has earned his place. Watene is a fine kick, a splendid tackier and a good place kick. It will be recalled that in one of the trial matches he kicked eight goals. The need for a reliable place-kick in any team was fully exemplified in the Auckland match last Saturday, when poor kicking probably cost Auckland tho match. It is interesting to note that six players, Watene, Davidson, Abbott, llassan, Campbell and Lawless, failed to gain places in the North Island team. Davidson was probably excluded because of his form against South Auckland, but it should be remembered that he had been on the sick list for a week prior to tho match and obviously was unable to do himself justice. His strong, straight running makes him a dangerous centre outside Cooke. Any doubts as to Hassan's ability must have "been well cleared by his play round the scrum against the Englishmen on Saturday. He is easily the best halfback playing the code, and it will cause surprise it he is omitted from the next test team. Amos as Forward Campbell's success as a hooker has undoubtedly brought him into favour. He may be faced by better opposition next Saturday, as Lowe, the English team's first hooker, did not play against Auckland. Lawless has played fine club foot-, ball all the season and in his first trial in higher football he was outstanding. Followers of tho code who saw Hamberger play in the inter-Island'match will regret that he has been passed over. However, Amos is more at home as a back row forward than at five-eighths, a position he held in the inter-Island fixture. Amos is also a fine place-kick and this fact evidently weighed with the selectors after Saturday' 6 experience. One back has to be omitted from the players selected for the next test. In some quarters it is thought that Hassan may be included as first five-eighths and Brisbane at centre. This change wcnld probably make it necessary to exclude Hart, Davidson then being removed from to wing. Although the change may prove successful it is to be hoped the selectors will leave Hassan behind the scrum. Undoubtedly a halfback it would be placing too much responsibility on Hassan to play him at five-eighths in a test match. Again it seems a pity at this stage to break the combination of Brisbane, Cooke and Davidson. The selectors should also consider the fact that Hassan and Brisbane play together in club football. The English team will play the West Coast representatives at Grevmouth today. The code has made good progress in this centre during the past few seasons and the visit of tho international side is sure to create great enthusiasm.