THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21583, 30 August 1933, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

WEST COAST TEAM'S PLAY VALUE OF GOOD PLACE-KICK TEAM TO MEET HAWKE'S BAY Speaking at tho dinnor tended to tho Auckland and West Coast Rugby Leaguo teams on Saturday night, Mr. Grey Campbell, chairman of tho management committee of tho Auckland Rugby Loague, said Aucklanders had looked forward with the keenest anticipation to tho first visit of a West Coast team to Auckland. The visiting team had played th© game in the best spirit and was a credit to the code. It was tho ambition of all supporters to produce a team in New Zealand capable of beating Australia, and from tho form shown by players this season he was satisfied* such a team could bo selected. The Auckland League would do all in its power to assist tho New Zealand League to attain this object. Messrs. B. Avery and E. Asher, selectors, and A. E. Cooke, captain, paid a tribute to tho West Coast team on its display.

Playing Advantage Eule Mr. p. Rogers, referee, was highly praised for his exhibition. It was pleasing to see tho official in charge give such a good interpretation of tho advantago rule—a rule which properly applied really makes the game. Auckland was penalised on several occasions, but tho visitors had only ono penalty given against them. Tt is almost unique for a team to play right through a game and be penalised only once. Judging on tho form shown by West Coast against Auckland it is disappointing that the inter-island fixture will not be played this season. There is no doubt good progress has been made by jthe South Island players in tho finer points of the code. Under the tuition of an experienced coach the material available would develop into a fine combination and would prove more than a match for Auckland.

Ihe value of a reliable plaoe-kick in a team was never so much in evidence as in the representative fixture on Saturday. West Coast lost several easy opportunities and seldom has a representative team taken the field so weak in this department. A good place-kick would have turned the tables in favour of the visitors. In strong contrast to a few years ago, place-kicking is not at present concentrated upon by many players, considering the number in action. Plenty of practice is necessary to make place-kicking a studied art. There are several players with a good deal of latent ability in this connection who require only practice and concentration.

Representative Changes The Auckland team to meet Hawke's Bay next Saturday has undergone two changes in the rear division. Brisbane and Hassan have been chosen in place of L. Schultz and Axeman. Brisbane has not shown good form of late, but he is always capable of high-class football in representative matches. Many will not agree with the choice of Hassan in preference to Axeman. The former was not considered fit to play against West Coast, and at the eleventh hour it was decided to play Axeman. The latter rose to the occasion on Saturday and played an outstanding game. Some of Axeman's work in the open was brilliant, and he paved the way for two tries scored by Cooke. It was only in the concluding stages that Axeman ran into the scrum too much. This was his only fault in a fine game. Axeman will be unlucky if he does not have another opportunity in representative football.

Campbell, hooker, was unavailable owing to a leg injury, but he intends to play against Hawke's Bay. Wayne, the City centre, has been moved to the wing, fie lacked opportunities last Saturday, but is a promising player. Stephens, the Newton wing-three-quarter, made a good impression in the curtain-raiser, and has distinct possibilities. B. Schultz, Marist, is another "wing* of promise. His game against City was the best this season,

The Australian Rugby League touring team had a successful opening in England last Saturday, defeating St. Helens Recreation by 13 points to 9. To-day the Australians will play Leigh.