OUR FOOTBALL GALLERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 4

OUR FOOTBALL GALLERY

PROMINENT PLAYERS. NO. XVII.

CAMERON. T). Cameron, a young Taranaki player, who is to take part in the match against Wellington on the Athletic Park this afternoon, was responsible for a big surprise in Rugby circles this season. Cameron was remembered by many as a dashing three-quarter in the Otago University fifteen, what time it was about the best club combination Now Zealand had seen, and later as a Taranaki representative. But no one outside his own province—il; is safe to say—looked on him as likely to attain to New Zealand representative honours. And yet when the names of the fifteen chosen to play against Harding's team of AngloAVolshmcn in the now famous first test at Dunedin, was published, there was Cameron's. Many close followers of the game at the beginning of tho season scarcely knew who Cameron was; now his name is one of the groat ones in the history of New Zealand football. Cameron has been entrusted with a great deal of very responsible work this season, and he has invariably carried it out well, establishing a reputation as nn exceptionally clever back. Ho will play in the fiveeights line to-day. FOOTBALL NOTES. (By "Shinpad.”) WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. To-day, Taranaki at Wellington. Saturday, Sept 19.—Otago, at Wellington. In their meetings with the chosen of Wellington, the representatives of the Manawatu Union have been decidedly unfortunate. Bo far twelve games have |>e ß.l played, and of these Wellington has won eleven, while one has been drawn. But never in the history oi tno hVollinston-Hanawatu match has there movlonely been such a fiasco as that witnessed on tho Athletic Park last Saturday. In thus describing tho game X fully acknowledge that there wao any amount, of pretty and oven brilliant piuy but at the same time, for a socaked x-oprciiontcitivo match, it was about us puiaoic an exhibition as one might ever see. Right from the jump it was apparent to everyone that tho greens had not tho slightest hope of winning, although it was scarcely realised that Wellington would score 46 points against them. Many of the spectators—of whom there were by no means many—left the ground before tho end of the game, so uninteresting was it, and the only ex l * ciloment for those who remained was furnished by the conjecture as to whether Wellington would score a halfcentury or not. The greens were no match for Wellington at all, and were badly beaten both forward and back after the first ten minutes' play. Although averaging the same as tho blacks’ vanguard, in weight (13.1) tlie visiting forwards could do nothing against their opponents. And when it came to back play—well. Manawatu could not bo named in the same breath as Roberts, McLeod, and Co. It is extremely doubtful if Manawatu, if represented by the same xdaj'ers as did battle for them last Saturday, could put up a decent fight against Wellington's B team. Saturday's Manawatu team certainly could not beat tho B's.

The Wellington forwards played a great game, and their dash and vigour soon had their opponents completely beaten. One player who "cam© out" was “Ra-nji" Wilson. This player, although generally recognised to be one of the best forwards in New Zealand, has not treated' the spectators to a display of his best form for some time past, but no one could lind fault with his play on Saturday. In th© loose h© was always prominent, and the way he broke away through the ruck time and again with the ball at his toe, was delightful to witness. Hamilton also played a dashing game, and broke his record for th© season by scoring a try. Heady put in a great deal of hard work in the ruck, but was rather outshone by some of his fleeter comrades when, th© forwards got away clear. Shadbolt exhibited plenty of dash, but he played hardly so good a gam© as h© did th© previous week against Canterbury. Hush was quite the hero of the crowd. Tim© after time when the rival packs wore struggling for possession of , th© elusive spheroid, there would be a breathless cry of "Look at T)ago,'" and Hush would appear with the ball at his toe, or under his arm, making for th’o greens' line. There can be no doubt about it. Hush is a great forward.

A. C. Wilson did not -catch the ©y© of the casual spectator so often as did some of the other Wellington forwards, but at all times he could be seen working as only he knows how to work. He also held the scrum beautifully, and mainly to his efforts in this direction was due Wellington's superiority in this all-important branch of forward play. Alexander also performed well, but there was nothing brilliant about' his play. Harry Avery was not so good as he has been in other matches this season. He is a fine winger—that cannot bo denied—but he has something still to learn before he will be as good as Hardham. He is faster than Hardham, and is the cleverest dribbler in Wellington, but there is an indefinable "something" about his play which detracts from its merits. Personally, I think it is inexperience, eo that I look for improvement in his play. It must also be remembered that he was "up against" two men on Saturday. That may have had not a little to do with hia failure to show his true form. The showing of the Manawatu team, as previously indicated, was an extremely poor one. The backs especially were veryragged. A pleasant relief from the terrible mediocrity of the rear-guard, was that afforded by the play of Hodgins, at full, who played consistently well throughout. He was especially skilful in

defence, and had it not been for him the blacks' score would have been considerably larger than it was. The best of the three-quarters was Stalker, at centre. Stalker is not the player that he once was, but that ho is still possessed of a great deal of his old skill, he proved conclusively on Baturday. , . . Waldegrave, playing on tho right wmg, was verv fair, and especially in the first spell, put in some fine defensive work, his line-kicking being considerably above the average. On attack, McEwan, on the left, was about the poorest back on the field, but he defended fairly well. His tackling was very deadly at times, and on one occasion he prevented a certain score against his side by bringing down the tricky McLeod in great style. O’Connor, at five-eighths, was tno best back the visitors had. Towards tho cud of the second spell, when Manawatu had the experience of sustaining an attaeK for about ten minutes, the controlling spirit of every movement was O’Connor. He broke clean awav several times with the ball under his arm, and had he been better supported would have made the blacks look extremely foolish more than once. , , , , , Buchanan was a fair half, but he had a hard task to do anything brilliant behind his badly-beaten forwards. A. McMinn was easily the best of the forwards, and started several very fine rushes. , Whisker and Walters were the most prominent of the other players in the Manawatu van. ,

Rugby football—admittedly the national game of New Zealand—has reached a stage of crisis, apparently pointing to imminent transition. Uissatisfaction with existing conditions has been increasingly rife for some time past, aliKO among players and spectators; and this more or less latent discontent has been sUiraxt duto nmn’istakablo activity by the do-nothing and self-complacent attitude of that semi-representative body, tho New Zealand Rugby Football Union. Wo do not kuow whether tho immobile custodians of the national sport are surprised at tho swift and sure ebullition of tho Northern Union movement (favouring a well-known modification ot the game, calculated to increase its attractiveness), but at any rate they themselves are largely to blame for tho development—Dunedin “Star.”

Tho “EHham Argus” has the following:—“lt would seem that among those who have been attracted by the Northern Union game arc a number of players who remain loyal to amateur principles, and if the Now Zealand Rugby Union arc wise they will take care not to alienate them, and to make the Northern Union fame and professionalism synonymous. The game in New Zealand is no doubt capable of improvement, and it the Rugby Union refuse to consider reasonable amendments in tho of the <mme they will bo failing In their duty and furnishing an excuse for protossionalßm" I wonder if the writer of this paragraph ever road the Rugby Unions rules as to professionalism. Tho Northern Union game aiid profcssmonalism must be svnonyinous. But, all the same, it is quite true that if the Union does not use every effort to get tho * a "® amended in certain directions, its blood will be upon its own head if the Northern Union game spreads, and proves a serious menace to the Rugby game.

The first practice match in Dunedin under Northern Union rules was held on the Reclaimed Ground last Baturday, and was watched by a fan; crowd ot spectators. Two sides of thirteen cadi were selected, the players mclutimg several senior men. Mr W. MTCcwcn acted as referee. With a few mare practices it is expected that a very good side should bo got together. The prometers intend securing a better giouncl for to-day’s game.

Church, tho plucky and clever little half of the Melrose first fifteen, it 13 renoried, has settled iu Blenheim. .Uo went over to Marlborough with the Wellington B team last week, and the at* tractions of >he district proved too strong for him, so he decided to stay there

In one of hU speeches in Sydney Mr G. 11. Harnett, the manager of the Anglo-Welsh team, now on lie way Home, staled that he had gone carefully into ail th© proposals regarding alterations to the rules submitted by the New Zealand Rugby Union to 1 1]r , car© fbr th© consideration of the English Rugby Union, and that he was in favour of all but one of them; fuither that h© would give them hearty support when brought forward for con-siaera-ion by the Hnglish Union. i wonder which of th© suggestions it S is with which Mr Harnett does not agree. I should liko very much to know, because it, for ouo, will stand but very little chance of adoption, by the parent body. Out of the numerous suggestions placed bcfoie it, the New Zealand Union selected comparatively few for the consideration of the Hnglish. Union, but every on© of them was u good one. However, I suppose th© English Union will do nothing, and thus remain true to its reputation as the most conservative sports body in th© world. A very groat deal has been said in th© colonies oi late years about “cutting th© painter," and making our own laws, and should the present suggestions not receive tho attention which is their due, a severe , blow will be dealt to New Zealand'© loyalty to th© English Union.

It is stated that th© English Rugby Union has refused to consent to a match between the Australian amateurs and a Ceylon team. It is believed that this aciion is taken because th© latter compromised themselves through playing the All Black professional team lust year.

Last Saturday’s match between Otago and Canterbury, played at Christchurch, was th© thirtieth game«between those provinces. Th© first gam© was jdayed in 1878, and there was no match in 1894, owing to Canterbury being affiliated to tho New Zealand Rugby Union, which the southern Union had refused to join. Otago has now won eighteen and Canterbury six, and six games have been drawn. In the first three games played only two tries were scored. Th© first two matches were drawn with no score on either side, and in tho next each side scored a try. Canterbury has won only twioo since 1894—viz., in 1901 and lust year.

The members of committ© of the Otago Rugby Union were set thinging on Monday evening (says "Full-back") when Mr Cavanagh introduced the subject of Northern Union football and what constitutes a professional. Thie is a subject of importance to amateur Rugby at the present moment, and will be of still greater importance in the season to come. The chairman quoted from the rules, and explained, so far as the rules would permit of explanation, that a player did not become a professional until h© played for money or with persons playing for money or under a promise that money would be paid The chairman might have gone further, but contented himself with ©xpioiniug that it was an act of professionalism to play on a ground where money is taken during the close season, or to take part in a game where less than fifteen (players on each side are played. The latter phase of professionalism. would escape, th© majority of our amateur players, and the 0.8.F.U. committee in its wisdom has decided to notl. fy players of their position in regard to professionalism. Now, thie is well as far ae it goes, but it does not go far enough. The football legislators, not only in Otago, but over the whole of New Zealand, which threatens to bs invaded by Northern Unioniim and the paid player, must make up their collective minds bo fight the introduction of

the professional game into onr midst to tlio bitter end. There is little doubt but next season will see a revolution in the game in Now Zealand. It will b© a serious battle Amateur Rugby v. Professionalism; and by professional I mean tbo “paid amateur/' or, ns I lia*'o seen it misquoted, the “cash amateuv."

Wo have had the cash amateur—(!) cave the mark—iu other branches of sport. Heaven save us from his introduction into Rugby football. The ‘‘cash amateur/' to distinguish him from his “cash professional" brother, is claimed not to make his living by the game. That is poor logic, but logic good enough for tho cash amateur, who, while wishing to preserve his lily-white status, does not desire to become tainted with professionalism. Lot us have non© of this ©ash amateur gentleman. Ho is impossible; rather give us tho straightout professional, who makes no secret of “taking the money/' and does not resort to subterfuges. Heaven forbid that wo have come to the stage when it is necessary to buy our players’ boots.

The members of tho Southland Rugby Union are looking askance at the efiort to raise a cash testimonial for W. J. Wallace* They admit (says a southern writer) that Wallace has done great things for Rugby in Now Zealand, and would gladly assist towards a testimonial were it other than a cash one, but officially their hands are tied towards assisting in any monetary benefit. Now. if Wallace would only got a wife there would be no difficulty iu dodging round the difficulty in this matter. Greatness must bo its own reward in tho amateur footballer till ho has tho sons© to got wed.

A southern paper has tho following: All the information that has reached ns —and wo have received a good deal that lias not been published—tends to show that the "Northern Union" modification of Rugby football has como to New Zealand “to stay"; to stay, moreover, us a predominant force, not merely as the struggling rival of tho old-fashioned “Rugby." Tho New Zealand Union, 08 well as tho local Unions, must quickly make up their mind© as to the line they mean to take. If they decide to resist the movement, then (for a little time at least) two kind© of Rugby football will bo played in the Dominion, and there will bo friction, and perhaps some illwili, and a state of matters not making for sportsmanlike edification. a little while! —until reason and natural progress win the day, and the place of the autocratic obstructive© knows them no more.

It is said (by tho "Referee”) that the Anglo-Welsh team, financed by the N.z.lt.U., will just about pay expenses. 'Theso include tlie fares to and from New Zealand, those incurred in New Zealand, and the farce to Sydney—in all, some JJStWO. It is assumed that with average luck in Australia, there should bo a substantial balance for the union as a result of the tour. Well, in Sydney the weather and grounds could not have been worse, yet the “gates" were wonderful under such ■ conditions. In Unsbano the takings were not up- to expectations.

The Wellington backs played a fine game. 'They had many opportunities lor putting in good individual work, aud most of them took advantage of their chances. 'The best back on the field was McLeod. Always a tricky, clever player, McLeod was at his best on Saturday, and was a very sharp thorn in the sides of the greens. It puzzles mo however McLeod came to be left out of the Wellington team which played the AngloWelshuien.

I’reddy Huberts also played a brilliant game. He played with very" hard luck, and got an extraordinary snare of hard knocks. On one occasion he up-ended Whisker, who was dashing off “on hia own” with the hull, and although Whisker was surprised, so was Heberts, for he landed underneath—and Whisker was by no means the lightest man on the ground. Kyau played a much .better game at full-back tnan be did on tho previous week against Canterbury, his shewing being a very creditable one. Loth his kicking and tackling were much hotter than on the .Saturday before.

Magee, in the five-eighths lino with McLeod, played bettor than he has done in any rep. match this season. ‘ Some of his runs were very pretty. Mitchinson, at centre, was the best of tho throe-quarters. His kicking was especially good. Nvensou end Mnthcsou both played well, tho former doing much better than he has in some’ xirevious fixtures. All the three-quarters passed well, and together they carried out some very clever combined passing movements.