Training of Teams

NZ Truth, Issue 1030, 22 August 1925, Page 14

Training of Teams

An Ondesirabld Practice

A few weeks back . "Truth" wrote strongly against the procedure of ' putting rep. teams into camp pre- . paratory to meeting their neighbors m friendly (or is it deadly?) combat l v This week w,e publish a letter from "Amateur;" who writes from Napier. He, strange though it may seem, complains, about Hawkes Bay following the stunt. : Here is his story: , "Your article , which appeared m 'Truth' two or three weeks ago, about a certain provincial team having a week's ■ training- before, important matches; was very timely; but you could have written all that you did and more abput one holding a far higher position m New. Zealand Rugby, m fact the highest ..'^possible — the Hawkes Bay representatives, !< lt is well' known to all those who follow .Rugby closely that for about three-quarters of 'every: match against a strong- team Hawkes pay have a hard fight, but after that ' the Ranfurly Shield holders usually over-run the opposition. :' This. is due not so much to their superiority as footballers, but to '"''.th'eir' physical'' fitness.'.. ;' This is attained by the whole team, m 'charge' of a trainer and masseur, going 'into. residence m an ''hotel outside the city a week before any very important match. . '. "No. one suggests that, the Rugby Union, /pays members of the team wages.-;; : .;' ... ,' - : ".• -. -' • " ,■ ' .. ' - "Unlike Tevery other province m New Zealand*. Hawkes Bay never has any trouble m getting .its\best team together,, to play important matches away from home. r' "This year, when it' was reported that Harris, Parker and Burrows, of the Canterbury team, were unable to make the trip! "and' that Dalley and Elyey were on" the injured list, the customary ; training was' not thought to be , necessary^ v" . But after the clo.se game this is not likely to be neglected again. It- will be noticed that' in this match, however, they did not 'pile on the points m, the: second half. "Nevertheless,' they are V magnificent .combination, and m my opinion ho team, other than Canterbury (fully represented) has a hope of lifting the Shield, unless.it (the other team), too, indulges m the same tactics."

The- reason why a small cavity m a topth/seems -so lai-ge is -that it's the nature of most tongues to exaggerate.