RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18351, 15 September 1921, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE THIRD TEST. FORECAST OF ALL BLACK TEAM. OTAGO v. WELLINGTON A SHIELD MATCH. (Pee United Pbebs Association.) WELLINGTON, September 14. In view of criticisms by the manager of the Springboks on the travelling arrangements for the Nelson match, the New Zealand Union has called on the Nelson Union for an explanation.

in,,reply to a resolution by the Canterbury Union condemning the New Zealand Union’s handling of the match v. New South. Wales, at Christchurch, the latter lias asked Canterbury to give details of the allegations. The trainer of the All Blacks is highly pleased with the condition of the men, and considers that the team for Saturday will be the best New Zealand has put in the held. If the Africans can beat them he considers that they can beat anyone. Mr Griffiths (the Wellington representative on the Selection Committee) states

that the team is practically picked now, but will not be announced till Friday after•.noon. ‘A forecast of the selection bv one authority is: Backs—Kingston, Steele, Ford, and possibly Siddells as third three-quarter, ifwerson and Fea, Roberts; forwards— Fogarty, Duncan, Moffitt, M'Lean. Richardson, b letchor, with Beilis or Donald an wing. The local union has agreed to make Wednesday's match v. Auckland, and also the Otago match a Ranfurly Shield contest, subject to the approval of the New Zealand Union. ALL BLACKS IN TRAINING. ‘EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF WORK. The All Blacks in camp at Day’s Bay rise at 7 am., go through physical exercises, have a swim in the bay, and are rubbed down and massaged before breakfast, at 6 o’clock. The forenoon is spent in football training, with particular regard to combined work, scrummaging, and tactics generally. The boys are massaged again before lunch. In the afternoon there is a variety of outdoor work, comprising "walking, cricket, field games—in fact, anything that will secure pliability and elasticity -of' the muscles. All lights must be extinguished by 9 p.m. There have been ■ two cricket matches between representatives of the North and South Island among the trainees. Honours so far rest with the South Islanders, who have won one cricket match and drawn one. Socially the party is being catered for by the residents of the bay districts. There was a very pleasant dance in the pavilion on Saturday night, which was the only oci option., ; when the “lights out” rule was departed from. Their only other entertainment will be a boxing evening in the Rona Boy, Hall to-night.

SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS. REGRET EXPRESSED BY ARAWAS. ROTORUA, September 14. Consequent upon ihe statement that the Springboks expressed a dislike to playing the Maori team on account of colojur pre--.■.judice, , Kiwi Amohau and Tai Mitchell, ■ 'represehting the Arawas, telegraphed the ; rhaniger of the team regretting that the Maoris, 1 ' who had extended courtesy and hospitality to the Springboks in Rotouva did not know their feeling in the matter, adding: “With that in, your mind, to accept a welcome, break -bread with our people, and then later insult them as vou have dqne is not, according to Maoris, the code honourably adopted by gentlemen.” ,MR PARATA’S EXPLANATION, v-on ? ■) ' WANGANUI, September 14. ■i* Mr' Wi T. Parata, manager and organiser *v.‘ of ■ tlie- Maori team which recently played the Springboks at Napier, expresses regret that the conduct of a certain section of the

mixed crowd should have left room for complaint. Mr Parata and tho members of hia team desire to‘state that they feel very grateful for the privilege and honour extended to the Maoris by Mr Bennett, manager of the Springboks, in agreeing to play this game. They also wish to say the Maoris believe in playing a keen, hard . game,, but are just as interested in maintaining the best traditions of the Rugby i code,; and anxious not to depart from the ..ufdcetiea .and beauthe of the game. !’ ..' ! -' J ';'(>TAGO v. WAIRARAPA.

WIN FOR TOURING TEAM. AN UNINTERESTING GAME. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CARTERTON, September 14. Wairarapa met Otago at Carterton to-day in splendid weather. A very poor exposition of Rugby resulted. The first spell was ■cqnflned/cntirelv to scrum and tight forward play‘d which "Wairarapa predominated, "'and kept Otago pretty well penned in their ./'.Wn'thalf. Repeated infringements gave ‘'"WSiriTdjia four snots at goal, Torrance failing" with' each. Matson marked in front of ' the goal, but his kick also failed. The spell ended with no score on either side. In the second spell Otago opened up play, and two tries were scored in quick succession by Hawke and! Sonntag. Owles goalcd the first, giving Otago a lead of 8 points. Wairarapa ralliodi and drove play near the Otago goal. From a free kick Torrance essayed another kick fruitlessly. Imme- ■ diately afterwards Rose marked in a good position, but the kick was smothered by Otago. The backs began passing, and after ''some pretty play Ward scored. Watson ' failed to goal. Davidson, from a loose f*»r '< ward rush, scored another try, which Scnntag failed to convert. From play in front of the' Otago goal Torrance had another Unsuccessful shot. The Wairarapa forwards rushed play on to the Otago line, and "James succeeded in touchinsr down. Torrance failed with the kick. The game was Very Uninteresting, and ended: 1 Otago 14 points. Wairarapa 3 points. ”, The' Otago team left by the 6.30 p.m. ■ | airi to Wellington for New Plymouth.

' - ■' RUGBY CONFERENCE. TO TAKE PEACE TO-DAY. 1 (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, September 14. It is definitely decided that a conference of representatives of the Rugby Unions of New Zealand, South Africa, and Now South Wales will take place to-morrow, Mr F. J., Herlihy, chairman of the Management Committee of the New South Wales Rugby Union, arrived yesterday by the fManulca'. The conference, which will be in the nature of a round-table talk, will discuss the question of international tours, possible amendments to the Rules of Rugby, us well as conditions of the game generally. The amended rules under which the game is being’ played by the Auckland RugbyUnion will also be discussed. "Questioned as to the attitude the New South Wales Rugby Union was taking up with regard to these rules, Mr Herlihy declined to* make a statement, saying he would put his representations before the conference in the first instance. From independent sources, however, he had learned that some apprehension exists in New South Wales in regard to the projected amendments to the rules. It is the view of leading authorities of the game there that no amendment of the rule s is desired. The question that is more in the minds of Rugby leaders is' that of educating players, especially young players, to a thorough knowledge of the present code, and that the rules which have had international sanction for so long should be preserved.

HAWKE’S BAY v. SOUTHLAND, v EASY WIN FOR HOME TEAM. (Pan United Press Association.) NAPIER, September 14. The interprovincial Rugby match Southland' Vi Hawke’s Bay was played here today before about 1000 spectators. The game was fast and fairly open, and was won by Hawke’s Bay by 22 points to 1. .The,-game was much, more even than the scores indicate. The visitors frequently attacked, but the home team’s tackling and 'lmdthering were solid, and the work of tho Hawke’s Bay full-back (Yates] was very effective, his fine tackling preventing several scores. The Hawke’s Bay forwards were superior, and bad more sting, and tho good combination in the team’s attack resulted in the visitors’ line being crossed five times. Tries were scored by,, J. Blake, Grensido, Batchelor, KivelJ, and Akuira. Two were converted by Yates. Tho visitors’ score was comprised of a potted goal by Cockroft and a try by Si George. •: The following players will represent Waiherno against Maniototo on Saturday Full-back, P. O’Laughlan (Palmerston); three-quarters —R. Bunn (Dunbaok), R. 'Jamieson (Dunbaok), W. Burt (Shag Point); five-eighths—J. Ross (Palmerston), L. Townsend hett-bafik, i. Meetz

(Palmerston); forwards —J. Stewart (Shag Point), L. M’Lew (Dunback), J. Mitchell (Dunback), W. Hallum (Waikouaiti), S. Burt (Shag Point), A. Maxwell {Waikouaiti), F. Dreaver (Palmerston); wing forward, D. M'Laren (Palmerston). Emergencies—Back, J. Hanna (Waikouaiti); forward, W. Quinn (Shag Point).

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL By Cobneb Kick. The oup final between Old Boys and Kaitangata at Culling Park was favoured by glorious weather and the presence of an unusually large number of spectators. The game was certainly worthy of the occasion, being strenuously contested at a great pace from start to finish. The general concensus of opinion was that the better team won, although it may be said that Kaitangata were perhaps just a shade unfortunate to lose by one odd goal. Old Boys finished in great style and were deservedly winners of the cup for this season. The scorching heat affected several of the players, notably Kaitangata’s, sbmc of whom showed

palpable “easing up” tactics when their team secured the lead in the second half. It was certainly a day borrowed from midsummer, the sun shining brilliantly all the time. The miners put up a great fight to retain the premiership and were conspicuous in the last few minutes of the game by a final desperate effort to save the match. Deaker was equal to the occasion and saved brilliantly time and again although at times the Old Boys’ goal escaped rather luckily. The Old Boys’ "keeper” has seldom played better and his excellent and confident saving was a feature of the game He was ably supported by his two full-backs, Moody and Allan. Reg. Allan as usual was a tower of strengtn, but he miskicked badly at times. Moody was consistent and was in my opinion the bettor back. Old Boya were strong in the intermediate line. Harraway was a great breaker-up, but kicks too hard, and is weak at placing. Cunningham was a success but only moderately so. Com-

ing to the left half-back, Kennedy, we have the best half-back on the ground on Saturday’s play. His tackling, following up, and placing to his forwards were a real treat to witness. This young player is a. most promising half, and is rapidly gaining in experience. With good efficient coaching he has it in him to become one of our “top-notchers.” Old Boys’ bustling forwards played with mercurial energy, each man being extraordinarily quick on the ball. • But there was little attempt at cohesion, and the extreme wing men showed little aptitude for the position. Logan seems out of his place as an outside winger, but is an opportunist in front of goal and possesses a good scoring foot. The inclusion of Jimmie Race greatly strengthened the Old Boys’ attack. He, AHoo, and Fraser all played up to form, and against a less capable defence than Kaitangata’s would have scored oftener.

Wynne, the Kaitangata goalie, was hardly to hlamo for any of the shots that got past him. Ho seemed to be lost with the first goal which came from Jimmie Race, with a beautiful instep drive from about 20 yards out, and never saw the ball until it was in the net. It was a fine shot and a great goal, but not at all of the „ unsaveable order.

Bob M‘Auley was an outstanding figure in the defence. He is consistency itself and never plays a bad game. Richardson was fair, but found the speedy forwards too much for him. M‘"Caw, Howie, and Campbell were a good trio, and worked hard all through. Munsie got little or no support from his inside men, but nevertheless was easily Kaitangata’s most dangerous forward, in spit 6of the fact that ho was feeling far from well, and was not at all fit to take part ih such a hard gruelling contest. The clever centre forward has been in very poor health of late, and on that account has been unable to

accept his place in tho South v. North Island team at Wanganui. M f Cloy and Jap. Thomson were both failures as inside men, and never contrived to get their outside men on ' the move. Dunn and Rarity are two strong wingers, and if properly played to would have marie a great difference to the result. In these two positions especially were Kaitangata superior to Old Boys, but where the miners failed was in the neglecting of Dunn and Rarity. The scene at the finish was a remarkable one, the Old Boys being cheered by the spectators and the losing team, when the cup was presented by the O.F.A. president, Mr S. S, Myers. The Old Boys’ win was immensely popular. “Corner Kick” offers his congratulations to this year’s premiers. They have worked well for and richly deserve the honour. They play the game in tho best possible sporting spirit and arc a credit to Otago football.

As I anticipated Christian Brothers were successful in winning the Third Grade competition, and substantially reversed the result of the previous Saturday. The winners showed undoubted superiority and have some promising young players in their team. The football in this game was surprisingly good. Continual interruptions in the game for trifling or imaginary broaches of the rules are most annoying to spectators. Too much whistle is the undoing of many a good game. On Saturday all the half backs were frequently penalised for foul throws. Indeed, the writer cannot recall

any game in which the “ foul shy ” wa.» so much in evidence as in Saturday’s match. These decisions of the referee in regard to the throw in surprised not only the players but the bulk of the spectators. M‘Oaw, of Knitangata, remarked to one onlooker, “It must be my heels,” but for his and other people’s benefit let it ho known that it is not necessary that the thrower has both heels on the ground. If the thrower has any part of both feet

on the touchline, and throws in the ball with both »hands. from over, his head—then the throw is quite legitimate. Campbell was the player most frequently penalised, but as he never varied his stylo in throwing in the ball it would appear that if he fouled once ho should have been penalised for every throw! “ Corner Kick ” is of the opinion that Compfcell is too old fashioned in the game not to know how to take, a shy, but our local referees can teach him a few points evidently. The competition in all grades was concluded last Saturday. Maori Hill being the winner of the Fifth Grade. There will be no further senior matches this season, but if Sufficient entries are secured a five a-sido tournament will bo- held amongst the senior clubs. Entries of the Five a-side should be in , the hands of the secretary by 5 p.m., Monday 19th inst. Culling Park will be occupied on Saturday by a game between a strong Otago team against the ex-Wednesday representative players. The latter team contains many of our present senior players and several who were prominent in the Wednesday competition. The game should provide some good football. The Otago team selected is; Scott (Mornington), Moody (Old

Boys), Simpson (Northern), Jones (Northern), Haig (Mornington), Gormack (Northern), Jeffnes (Maori Hill), J. Fraser (Maori Hill), Catto (Mornington), Prydo (Maori Hill), and Stevens (Mornington). As an instance of how the Association game is flourishing in Wellington, the recent Brown Shield match with Auckland attracted an attendance of 7000 spectators the gate money amounting to dose on £3OO. The Brown Shield is the attraction without a doubt.

Anont the recent representative game against Southland, the manager reports as follows:

The team travelled down on Saturday morning, the 3rd inst., and played the same afternoon. The attendant “train stiffness” was apparent in the opening stages of the game, but eventually wore off, and in tho second spell .was quite absent. Some miles from Invercargill tho train ran into very heavy rain, which it was soon seen had been in progress for some time. It ceased on reaching Invercargill and the sun was shining. We were met at the station by numerous members of the Southland Association and team. The team put up at the Hotel Cecil. Wo at once proceeded to Rugby Park. The ground was exceedingly heavy, and there were numerous pools of water. All trace of the careful preparation of the Southland executive in marking the ground the previous day had been quite obliterated by

the over-night rain. Flags had to bo resorted to for indicating the penalty area. On account of tho inclement weather the attendance was most disappointing, and this was most unfortunate from the point of view of the Southland executive, who are earnestly striving to re-establish the game in the southern city. And in the playerq there they have good material to assist them.

As for tho game the ground and weather militated against anything in the way of a fast, scientific game. Suffice it to say that everything pointed to a splendid ' garno had the weather been dry. For two-thirds of the first spell, playing against wind and sun. Southland more than held their own and, indeed, drew first blood. Only tho very sound defence of Dickel, M'Auley, and Scott kept tho score down. Among tho Southland players Henderson (their right-winger, and a former Dunedin boy), Cook (their centre-forward), Arthur Hobbs (centre-half and association secretary there), and Cook (full-back), impressed the writer. On the Ot?igo side the three backs already mentioned were in fine form. Scott has rarely dealt better with high shots. Harraway quite justified his inclusion a& & hart}-

working half. Dryden and Johnston were as sound as ever, though they were not happy at the state of the ground. The forwards in the first spell were just fair, but in the second spell their combined play was very marked, and they worked together much better than did the Otago line against Canterbury. Brundell’s two goal: were line efforts —one a high rising shot at terrific rate, taken like a flash, and the other equally fast but along the carpet. Munsie and Hanlin were conspicuous for clover cutting in, but the ground was right against their speed. This was particularly noticeable in Munsie’s case. Ruddiman was in good form, and kept his fonvard line moving. O’Brien was also quite satisfactory for his initial run in representative

football, but the slippery ball and ground spoiled bis centres from tho left wing. There was no question about the issue in the second spell, and Otago fully deserved their win. At the same time Southland fully extended the Blues, and, in a season or two, there is no question that South-

land will be a very stiff proposition in interprovincial Soccer. Even at the present moment at least two of their players should give South Island selectors food for thought. In the evening the teams dined together at the Federal Dining Rooms, where a fine evening was spent. Mr R. Parker (the referee in the match) was in the chair. Th« team left Invercargill at 1.30 p.m. on Monday. Tho visit was a marked success, and there was only one thing that left anything to bo desired —someone appears to have neglected to have advised the clerk of tho weather of Otago’s proposed trip south.