THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22810, 18 August 1937, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

AUSTRALIANS' VISIT HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TOUR DOMINION TEAM IMPRESSES The visit of tho Australian Rugby League team proved a great success, 'both from playing and financial points of view. Perfect weather favoured tho three matches played, and tho gate receipts easily eclipsed those of any previous Australian visit. Tho Kangaroos proved a splendid attraction, and tho visiting players did their best to provide spectacular football. The passing of tho visitors was a feature of the matches, and in this department the three New Zealand teams were much inferior. There was a hesitancy 011 the part of the homo players, and passes wero devoid of any snappy movement. The New Zealand forwards, however, wero superior to the Australian pack, and there is 110 doubt that a very fine vanguard can be mustered to represent New Zealand for some years to come. The resolute tackling of the New Zealand forwards and their rushing tactics did a lot toward putting the visitors' backs off thoir gamo.

Tho best was not seen of the two Australian centres, Beaton and McJvinnon, who received few chances to show their Sydney form. Beaton is reputed to bo a high-class back, but he was matched too closely by tho opposing forwards.

It was regrettable that tho final test saw the Australians put at a great disadvantage, owing to injuries. At the stage when the scores were 15 —6 in Australia's favour, tho homo team was commencing to warm up to its work. After. Pearce had retired with a .broken leg tho Ivangaroos scored two fairly simple tries—the result of weak tackling. It was the only occasion during the game, however, that the homo team was guilty of this weakness. Before Prigg sent McLean over to make the scores B—6 both Kay and Bickerton should have tackled Prigg, who just brushed the two New Zealand backs aside. After half-time the home team tackled more effectively and seemed intent on keeping the game close,-' instead of openinc it up. Had the New Zealand :? five-eighths, Bickerton and Tittleton, resorted to grubber kicks the New Zealand vanguard would have scored more tries, for they. outplayed tho visitors.

The fruits of victory were not so acceptable to New Zealand supporters, in view of the bad luck which dogged the visitors, and Australia must bo credited with a very game showing. Not once did the depleted Australian side give ground, and the players lived up to their reputation of being really good losers. It is doubtful, however. whether the Kangaroos are as good as previous Australian touring teams. On the form shown at Carlaw Park the present team will need to show much improvement if it wishes to extend England in the tests.

A BRILLIANT FULLBACK NEPIA'S GREAT TACKLING Of the New Zealand players seen in the three matches, G. Nepia stands out as the best. His exhibition in the Maori match was a very fine one, while on Saturday the Australians would have scored four more tries but for his splendid tackling. Twice he caught Beaton with the ball after the speedy centre had outpaced the remainder of the defence. Nepia has retained his form in a remarkable manlier. W. Tittleton, five-eighths, was another New Zealand back who played good football. He took a while to settle down in the second test, but several times beat the opposition with nice runs. His tackling was faultless. Bickerton showed up well at fiveeighths, and these matches should considerably improve his knowledge of positional play. Halloran, behind the scrum, did his work in an effective manner.

The matches showed that the selectors will have to search for good wingthreequarters. Six different players were seen in action. Davison was the best, although he was not up to international standard. the Maori winger, is a player of distinct possibilities. The outstanding New Zealand forward was Brodrick, who played three sterling cames. Cootcs and Mcl-cod wore also impressive.

LAWS OF THE GAME DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS That the New Zealand and Australian referees appear to have little agreement as to the interpretation of certain rules governing the game is evident by the number of times the visitors were penalised for infringements. The Australian players were completely baffled by the referee's rulings in the Maori game. Tho fact that tho referee gave 43 penalties against the visitors, compared with only five against the Maori team, would seem to require some explanation. When English teams come to Auckland the same position arises, and it is imperative that an effort should be made to secure unanimity of interpretation with regard to the play-the-ball rule and shepherding. It is to be hoped that the New Zealand Referees' Association, which has recently been reorganised, will take up the matter seriously. The New Zealand Hugbv Leagues finances should benefit considerably from the tour, as the gate rcccints constitute a record. It is expected that about £BOO will be tho New Zealand League's share of the receipts.