GUESTS CATCH VERBAL BOMB

NZ Truth, Issue 1286, 31 July 1930, Page 12

GUESTS CATCH VERBAL BOMB

N.Z. Team Manager Ted McKenzie's Heart-to-Heart Talk With Britishers, After Dinner

LEVELLED "SHEPHERDING" CHARGES (Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Whatever else may be said about the wisdom of Manager Ted McKenzie's remarks when he indicted the sportsmanship of the British footballers at the dinner m Auckland after the Third Test, there was some foundation of truth m them. After witnessing the two games m Auckland, "Truth's" representative is of the opinion that the criticism was justified, but the remarks were not made at the right psychological moment, yet Manager McKenzie made them deliberately after having witnessed many games.

THERE is general regret that the statements were made at the dinner, when a spirit of conviviality reigned, but the general consensus of opinion is that they were true. In the third Test the Britishers received far more "frees" than New Zealand m the second half, the proportion being three to one; Britain's second score should never have been given, as Cooke was deliberately obstructed. New Zealand players were also obstructed on several other occasions, but the referee is not expected to see everything. The Britishers had a penchant

McKenzie's statements, but "Truth" does not doubt the facts as stated by him. These may have come at an inopportune time, but that does not detract from their truth. Manager McKenzie flattened out his listeners when his straight-from-the-shoulder accusation about Britain's illegal tactics landed like a ; bombshell iri the midst of , the after-dinner speeches. ; McKenzie's name had been coupled with Porter's name during Test Captain Aarvold's toast to the New Zealand team. During the New Zealand team manager's speech there was some murmur, and McKenzie re-

intentional or not; I certainly hope it has not been, as it is an. offence against the rules of the game. I would say that some of the instances of ob- [ struction appeared to be deliberately studied. "Shepherding the player with ! the bail so that he cannot be tackled has been common, and .: frequently members of the opposing teams have been held by the jerseys - after they have got rid of the ball. "I consider this the. proper place t bring forward these matters, as, bot teams are gathered together! and it i just as well that criticism be made i the open. "I will" not pretend" that our ow players are perfect, and they may als on occasions have. been guilty of lapse .in -this- respect, but I should say th British team is a fine enough side t win matches without resorting to ob struction and similar tactics . whic may or may not be intentional." The tense nature of the atmospher was relieved when Captain Porte arose, and, during his speech, mention ed the sporting spirit, m which th Britishers had played that day's gam' When interviewed, neither Baxte manager of the British team, nor Prer tice, the captain, had anything to sa; J. Arneil, president of the Auckland Union had- nothing to say on the matter, nor did H. Frost, the chairman of the management committee wish to comment on it. T.W. Maben, when approached, aii was reticent. These officials int mated ii was the N.Z. Union's affai The general opinion is that tl speech was rather a tactless one make to guests at such a time.

marked : "I am speaking, Mr. Aarvold, not you." He said: "I thank you for ypur honored toast, and I must say I am pleased we Avon such a hard-fought game. "Early m the present tour Mr. Baxter criticised New Zealand's style of Rugby, and m particular the play of the wing-forward, whom he described as the wolf of the game. "We appreciate this criticism, coming as it does from a man so high m the Rugby world m England. However, I have seen the majority of the British team's games here, and I think II might reply criticising certain aspects of its play. "There have been points m the British team's play to which strong exception can be taken. I have noticed frequently cases of obstruction, what we m New Zealand know as 'shepherding.' •'I do not know whether it has been