THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21589, 6 September 1933, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURE POOR PLAY BY HAWKE'S BAY VISIT OF ST. GEORGE TEAM The representative Rugby League match botween Auckland and Hawke's Bay at Carlaw Park on Saturday proved ono of tho most disappointing features of the season as far as the play of tho visiting team was concorned. At no stage of tho gamo could the visitors settlo down and, judged on Auckland form, the standard Hawke's Bay displayed was very poor. It has to be remembered that the code has just been revived in Hawke's Bay and therefore the players could not be expected to have gained a good knowledge of the finer points. However, against Auckland last Saturday opportunities wero missed through inexcusable errors. Several times straightout passing and clean handling wero all that was necessary to score tries. At times when tho defence was beaten chances wero lost when a pass was thrown at the feet of a support or a good pass was knocked on. Another fault which proved costly to Hawke's Bay was poor tackling. Some of the players were good in this department, but others showed a disinclination to tackle a heavier opponent. All the Hawko's Bay players, however, arc young and will, no doubt, improve greatly with experience. Mr. M. Wetherill, who had the team under his cliargo for a fortnight prior to the match, stated after the gamo that the sido was capable of a much better showing. He attributed its failure to lack of confidence and said there was no doubt that club football in Hawke's Bay was on the improve. Advantage Rule An example of how not to play the advantage rule was given in the representative match on Saturday. An Auckland player knocked tho ball on and the official in chargo correctly waited to see if Hawko's Bay gained tho advantage. Tho visitors did not gain tho advantage and Auckland was allowed to go on and score Tho strength of tho Auckland team will bo fully tested next Saturday when the return match against South Auckland will bo played at Carlaw Park. Tho match should be one of the best of the season. It will be remembered that South Auckland defeated Auckland earlier in the season on a wot ground by 14 points to nil. The Waikato players are a good combination and will be again keen to lower Auckland's colours. Many enthusiasts claim that the Auckland team which defeated West Coast and Hawke's Bay is the strongest selected for years. A better guide will be obtained after next Saturday's game. The City senior grade team will visit New Plymouth next Saturday to meet a Taranaki club team, probably Inglewood. By arrangement tho local club's game against Ponsonby has therefore been abandoned. The news that the St. George Club will definitely visit Auckland has been received with pleasure in leaguo circles. There is much speculation on which Auckland club team will meet tho visitors. The winner of the DevonportRichmond match on September 16 will no doubt influence the New Zealand Rugby League in its final choice. Improvement in Scrums There was a marked improvement in scrum formation last Saturday when the referees commenced a determined effort to stamp out the illegal methods of front row forwards. For some time past it has been the general opinion that tho scrum breaches are caused through the failure of the front row forwards to stand with all six feet in line. This at least would give a clear tunnel for the halfba 6k to placo the ball fairly in the scrum. Hookers and outside front row forwards will receive no latitude from referees in future games. R. Smith, the Devonport five-eighths, who broke a bono in his leg during the championship matches, ha:s made a good recovery. He expects to play for liis club against Richmond in the champion of champions match on Saturday week. Hawko's Bay. will play tho SouthAuckland representatives at Ngaruawahia this afternoon. The touring team is expected to show better form against the Waikato combination than that in the Auckland match, j For tho time being, at least, competition matches in Wellington have ,been abandoned. Tho progress of the code in this centre has caused the New ■Zealand Rugby League much concern. A ;reorganisation scheme is in progress, and some success is anticipated next season. The Australian Rugby League team has been successful in winning the first three matches of its English tour. Hull Kingston Rovers was defeated last Saturday by 20 points to nil. Tho reported news that the Australians were disallowed threo tries would again seem to open up the question of different interpretations of the rules. Tho touring team will play Brambly to-day.