THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23325, 19 April 1939, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

SYDNEY TEAM'S VISIT GREAT BENEFIT DERIVED FAULTS IN LOCAL REARGUARDS The Rugby League code should derive considerable benefit from the visit of the Eastern Suburbs team which played its fourth and final game at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Although the standard of play was a little disappointing in two of the matches, some interesting lessons can be learned from the visitors' play. There is no doubt that the Richmond team, which won narrowly from Eastern Suburbs, played the best League football, and its style of play is similar to that of the visitors. Generally, the local forwards beat the Eastern Suburbs' vanguard in both scrum and loose play. The backs, however, failed to vary their play sufficiently to make the football attractive. There is still a tendency to make the game close instead of passing more freely to players in good attacking positions. The Eastern Suburbs' backs started passing bouts, particularly against Manukau, from all positions. The passing was snappy and the players stood deeper in the field than the opposition. They were usually runnitig at top speed when taking the ball. With the exception of the Richmond backs, tho movements of local players were too slow. Speed off the mark can bo improved by continual practice. The games gave the New Zealand selectors in Auckland little to enthuse over so far as inside backs are concerned. There are few fast backs from tlae base' of the scrufh and it looks as though the selectors will have a difficult problem when choosing the halfbacks and five-eighths for the English tour. None of the Auckland halfbacks compare with R. Thompson, the Eastern Suburbs' half, whose speed once he leaves the base of the scrum is what is desired in Auckland. It was also an object lesson to study the fast passes sent to the first five-eighths, and it was no fault of Thompson's that the attacks broke down. In the game against Marist Grotte played a good game, although inclined to go down on the ball too much instead of looking for support. His play, however, was encouraging, and the best seen from' the local halfbacks. Watkins, the Richmond halfback, is similar in some respects to Thompson, but his speed must be sharpened up.

OUTSTANDING FORWARDS GOOD TALENT AVAILABLE One feature was the splendid display of the forwards and the selectors have good talent available. It must bo remembered that thi'ee of the finest forwards in Australia, R. Stebr, H. Pierce and F. Griffiths, were included in the Eastern Suburbs' team. In all the games played the Auckland forwards showed Vastly improved knowledge, and their good support in passing bouts was a pleasing feature of the matches.

A number of forwards seen against the visitors played football. Their chances of eventually winning a place in the New Zealand team appear bright.. They are M. Devine, J. McLeod, G. Mitchejl (Richmond), P. Ririnui, A. Ga'ult, J. Broderick (Manukau)) M. Hansen, W. Cameron (Mount Albert). With the exception ol' Hansen these forwards weigh about lost,, and are all fast and splendid handlers. R. Stelir, the Eastern Suburbs' captain, was very impressed with the forward play and is confident a really good vanguard can be selected.

FINE FULLBACK PLAY GREER AND SMITH IMPRESS A feature of the club competition games on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park was the splendid play of Greer and J. Smith, fullbacks for City and North Shore respectively. The City custodian gave a brilliant display against Papakura, while Smith excelled as a goalkicker against Ponsonby and did splendid all-round work. Greer, who came from Canterbury at the start of this season, was a former representative wing threequarter. Judging bv his two appearances at Carlaw Park," he compares very favourably with any of the fullbacks playing in Auckland. His goal kicking last Saturday was excellent. He kicked sjx goals, two of which were from the side line, where only a short run is possible. No fault could be found with his tackling, and his keenness to open up the game showed that he has a knowledge oi the finer points of the game. Smith, who represented New Zealand in Australia last season both as a three-quarter and a fullback, showed good form against Ponsonby. Hih goal kicking had much to do with Ponsonby's defeat. Smith is a fine positional player, and knows how to open up the game for his three-quarters. He lacks nothing in defence, in spite of his. light weight.