RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19250, 14 August 1924, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

By Full Back. INFERPROYINCTAE FIXTURES, ETC August 16.—Charity Match, University A v. Pirates. August 23.—High Schools’ tournament (Dunedin). August 30.— -Payne Trophy match (Dunedin). September 6. —v. Southland (Invercargill). September 13. —v. Wellington (Dunedin). September 20.—v. Southland (Dunedin). I have not much to add to the comment I have already mado regarding the Otago Canterbury match, won by the visitors by 25 points to 14. The Canterbury forwards played well in the first spell, particularly in the loose., and tho backs were quick to move on the opening of attacking movements. With the opposing rearguard slow to anticipate tho run of tho play, and tho Otago farwards lamentably weak in tackling, the visitors were able to hold tho upper hand in tho first spell. The play of tho Otago forwards was lacking in dash--it really could not have been their true form. In tho second half the Otago for■wards showed much improved form, and half , way through they had tho opposing pack beaten. Tho inside Blue backs, however, continually mulled their passing, and tho opportunity of winning the mafeh was lost. Then a free kick to the Red* proved successful; they raised their score from 11 to 17, and went on to win comfortably. The Red backs were -well served by CVrleton, Maxwell, and Ford, but a lot of their spectacular passing broke down at the end of the chain. Thompson lost two great chances by faulty play when he had a clear field, and forward passes at the critical moment also nullified many of the’ Reds’ passing movements. As a matter ol tact one try only was scored by a back (Robillia.rd), and that was after the final bell had sounded, but not tho final whistle. I liked Carloton’s play at five-eighth,' and Elvey, on the wing, made some tricky runs. Ford was also good on attack but weak on defence. The collaring of tho Reds’ backs were not very sound. This was fully proved by the manner in whichWise ran through them time and f gain. Harris, tho full back, however, proved an impenetrable barrier, and no player went past him on the day. . The veteran Duncan was in ■ tho thick, of the play from start to finish, and he also came into many of the passing rushes.' Ho was tho best forward on w.e vroumb. Wilson (wing forward) likewise did a lot of work, but tho displays of M'Meckmg,Dickson, and M'Millan did not impress Johnston (half back), who hails from the Eastern District (Southland) was in Ihe picture from start to finish. Ho handled the ball smartly from the scrum, and gave his backs every opportunity to open up attacking movements. Ho played, indeec, a particularly fine half back game. La ■ lander, Ross, and Robinson were a weak attacking trio, their passing hemp ilitimed and inaccurate. Wise put plenty of vigour into his play on tho wing, and made some dashing runs. Ho should try to got out of his habit of always turning into tho field of play. Several tunes on Saturday ho ran from one side of thc_ lio.tl cljagoiiatly to almost tho other side. Nevertheless he played a fine game, and thoroughly earned his place m the team. Webb played a fair game considering the chances which came his way. Stevenson, full back, was good in patches. He did some things well, and others very badly. ' His poor ground fielding got his side into trouble several tunas—two tries at least it cost the Blues—and his kicking t 6 the open side also caused his forwards . to run about a lot. On the other hand his collaring was deadly.. Stevenson should try to get to the ball quicker than ho does. Taking tho game all through the spectators were treated to a fine exhibition of open football, and tho interest was maintained right to the last whistle. . I have been asked many times during the Tjaet fcJw Hays what I thought of tho League match played between England and New Zealand at Tahuna Park on Saturday. I, could see only part of the game, but was able nevertheless to obtain a fair idea ox how it is played. The game was certainly spectacular, and so it should have been, sefeing that the pick of the English league players were taking part in it. Ihe Englishmen quite outclassed the New Zealanders in tho first half, and scored 20 points to 3 no’nts. They are a sturdily-built team, and use all their weight when running into a tackle. Had there been players of the typo of the Englishmen taking part in the game at Carisbrook they would have put no just as spectacular a game. Nevertheless those who took their football at t.arisbrook wore also treated to a fine spectacular exhibition of Rugby. The spectators at Tahuna saw the League game at its veiy highest standard—it would not be reasonable to suppose that that standard is generally reached. If wo could seo two ordinary club teams plaving the game a far better idea of tho code could be obtained. There is really no scrum work m the League code. The men go down 3-2-1 on each side and tho half-back stands and throws the ball downward witn. both hands into tho serum. Several times on Saturday he made throe attempts to get it in before tho referee would permit the game to go on. Tho main idea, which possesses the half-back who throws in the ball is to do his job as quickly as possible and then dodge round behind the scrum to get the ball, which is no sooner m than out. As I say, there is no comparison between the scrum worli in. tho Lniou ga-nio and tho League. ~ , . , . . . One point, which mot with favour is in regard to the tackle. When a main is tackled the tackier has to let hurt up at onCe. The ball is then put down between the two men, and tho forwards on each side gather round, and what may bo termed a loose scrum is formed. This rule quiqkens up tho game, and there is little likelihood of a man being hurt. There are no lino-outs. Many teams m New Zealand, however, open out their back play from tho linc-outs, and it was one of the teachings of “Rangi” Wilson, the All Black forward, to feature this stvlc. of attack. He maintained —and with logic—that the backs wore freer to move from a line-out than from a scrum. - Talcing Saturday’s game right through I could not say that—apart from the speed of tho Englishmen—it showed a gresit deal of variation from the amateur game. The stern tussles between packs of forwards are not seen—the ■ g-amo .is nearly all running and passing. Summing it up. I do. not think the amateur game in Dunedin is at all likely to bo displaced in the favour it has held with tho public for many years now. . 'lhe Imperial spirit which it was said was to bo fostered by tho visit of tho Englishmen appears to have been but camouflage, and in the face of what is happening tho Otago Rugby Union has been justified in its refusal to lend a ground to tho League. Tho visit of the League players was propaganda, pure and simple, and already senior players are being approached, moref or 'ess directly, to leave the amateur game "and play League. The amateur game, however, will nob miss any discontented players who decide to chajige over.

NOTES. There will bo an Otago selector present at; each of the matches to bo played by local teams against North Otago at Oantapu, South Otago (Balclutha), and Eastern-. District (Palmerston) on August 23. An opportunity will thus bo given to see Grainger playing at full-back. There is & possibility that an Otago team will •'pair a brief visit to the goldfields and playf'(matches at two of the main towns, say. '"'Alexandra and Roxburgh. Threo challenges are to be met this month by Hawke’s‘Bay for the Ranfurly Shiald-vNelson, Auckland, and Manawatu. 'TTie; Nelson game is set down for next Saturday. . . ~ , , With the Brownlees absent, it is said that J Ormond is the star forward of the HawJte’s Bay pack. At one time he played for -Christ’s College. . ICTerhampore had made their run earlier they might have scooped up tho Wellington f Rugby competition (says a northern writer). In three Saturdays they downed Oriental, Marists, and Petone, which entitle them to be acclaimed runners-up. The •win over Petone, B—4, being that team’s firstftdefeat, was a sensational affair. Petono, however, take the flag. , , A Palmerston North writer suggests that Mr B. M’Kenzio, one of the selectors, did not i turn up to the All Black dinner in Wellington because ho was peeved over certain doings of tho New Zealand cxecuThat the amended kick-into-t ouch rule has been of advantage in improving the standard of Rugby in New Zealand is an opinion held by J. Hunter, of tho 1&05 teard. Ho gives expression to it in tho course of an article in the Farmers’ Weekly. “There has been a gradual improvement takifig place in football ever since I first knew anything about the game,” he says. “The amended rule has been a decided help Tho game is brighter and gives more opportunity for head work, continuous

effort, and is played in a bettor spirit, and that is what counts By some enthusiasts the wing-forward is si ill looked on as a black sheep (especially if he had a black woollen covering), and the present players are still unfavourably compared to those of tho previous generation. The past generation generally forgets that they are largely responsible for tho downward drift, if there is any. Tho amended kick-into-tonch nilo is about tho only important alteration, but this has not been adopted in England. This rule has proved a great improvement, and credit for it is due to Mr H. Frost and the other members of the Auckland Union. There has, however, been a gradual improvement, due in a large measure to school football. There are so many secondary schools with splendid teams playing the best possible type of game, and this improvement in the game is likely to continue.” DUNEDIN OR OTAGO? Dear “Full-back,” —As a southerner in an alien land, my natural inclination is to support Otago against all-corners, but I cannot help expressing pleasure at Canterbury's' win in tho so-called interprovincial match on Saturday. Of course, it wasn’t an interprovincial match at all. Canterbury did not beat Otago. 1 do not think she could beat Otago. But she does not appear to have had much difficulty in beating Dunedin. When will tho O.R.F.U. wake un to the fact that Mcsgiol and Opoho are not tho boundaries of the province? Yon saw Donnehy on Saturday, and Maxwell and Robilliard, and two or three more of them—Canterbury footballers, not Christchurch footballers. Otago seems to have been weak in the forwards. Aren’t there any forwards like. Dcnnohy in Owaka, or Matakamii, or Duntroon? Up here, even, we have heard rumours of u full-back who may easily be a second Sinclair. We heard that lie played in Oamaru. and wo had an idea that Oamaru was in Otago, but apparently not. Mind yon, the Otago Union is not alone in its attitude; hut that does not exonerate it. Think of tho giants of Rugby that. Taranki has produced, and Hawke’s Bay is producing—and just inquire how many of thorn flo not belong to New Plymouth and Napier. On your own border you have Southland, where, .football has become almost a religion. Well, Southland has her weaknesses, and very apparent some _of them are. but she picks her representative teams from Southland, not from Invcrcar .gill, alone. Honestly now, don’t you think that Otago might do a little more, in that direction? Has there been a country week this year?

I want to see Otago heat New Zealand. But above all I want to see tho whole country south of the Waitaki saved for the good old Rugby Union game. And I have an idea that both my wishes might come true if every schoolboy in the province, whether his school be George Street or Pembroke, Forbury or Akatore, knew that some day tho chance would be his of wearing a dark blue jersey with a gold “0” on the left breast. —I am, etc.. Exile. Christchurch, August 11. Dear ‘‘Full-back,” —In your notes of Thursday, July 31, in answer to correspondents writing about Grainger for ihe position of full-back for the Otago team, you said it was too late to get him in now. I would take ’ it from that you meant I hat the selectors would not be able to see him play, so ho has no chance of getting in the Otago team oven if he was a champion of New Zealand. Well, then, “why call it an Otago team” when the players are only picked from tho teams in Dunedin, and not from Otago in general. I know well that the country team, when playing in Dunedin at show time, did not make a great impression, but I ask yo.u, would the Dunedin teams do any better if they were picked on tho same principle—a man hero and there, perhaps ICO miles from one another? If tho Otago selectors had picked Grainger (who. understand, I do not know), of Oamaru, T do not think they would have done any harm and also another player of the country team. Frank Donnelly, of the goldfields, a good all-round man for the Otago team. I think it would be much bettor for country footballers, if. when tho different counties are having matches, the Otago selectors would seo the matches played instead of taking a country team to Dunedin. Now, Full-back, understand I have no axe to grind, as where I am now there is no football—l have to go to Dunedin to see a match—so I hope the Otago selectors will (alto what I have written in the same spirit as has prompted me to write thisthat is, for the good of countrv footballers, who, I know, are sports. When you consider what it costs some of them each week to travel from place to place and the extra work they have to do to get away for the matches, you must, like me, have a warm corner in your heart for them. —T am, etc , M. Marshall. MORE -'ABOUT GRAINGER. Dear “Full Back,”—lt has always been a source of pleasure to read your notes and appreciation on the good old game of football. Living in Oamaru, and the sub-union coming under the jurisdiction of iho 0.R.F.U., wo always take a big interest in the doings of the Otago representatives. .Therefore, the followers of the game here, knpwing Otago has not a full-back, naturally wish to bring Grainger, our local lad, before the eyes of the selectors. He, on his style and play, reminds me of tho late “Jimmie” Adams (probably forgotten by present-day • supporters), tho old Star, Union, and Otago full-back. It would bo in the interests of football to have a repre-’ sentative Otago team, rather than a Dunedin team, as it is at the present time.— I am, etc,. Ex-selector.

Dear “Full Back," —Replying to your footnote re Grainger as full-back in the Otago team, I am pleased to know you made inquiries from one of the selectors, which fact shows clearly you were out. to get the best, and the sentiments expressed were merely those of one of the .selectors, who was evidently biased in his judgment. You certainly make suggestions which may come to fruition, and for those I thank you. If the Otago selectors come to (lamam on the 23rd with no further intention than merely to “see” good players tion may as we’ll stay at, home and save unnecessary expense. They should bo prepared to “choose” them. In reply to the explanation that Grainger was not nominated from Oamarn on June 3, was Stevenson nominated for Dunedin on that date? I understand that Grainger was nominated, and had it not been for a dispute with the Excelsior Club (for which ho plays) and the sub-union, his claims may have been pushed further. As far as the sub-unions of the province are concerned, the match on Juno might just as well have been played in mid-summer, as they had hardly got started. The selectors will have to take a leaf out, of Canterbury’s book, and it is to be hoped they inquired from the manager of the Canterbury team the system in operation in Christchurch. Had Christchurch played Dunedin the result may have been different, hut when Canterbury province played Dunedin the result was quite expected, as it was ha»dly a “ fair go ” on that account. —I am, etc,. Oamarn. IIEPIiKSENTATItp. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. The New Zealand Union is giving notice to move as follows at the London Conference : “ That an international board lie set up. to consist of one representative of each of the following unions: England. Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, South Africa, New South Wales, and Now Zealand. Such representatives shall ho elected annually by their respective unions. “ That the powers and duties of tho hoard shall lie: (a.) To control Rugby Union football; tb) to consider and adjudicate upon any dispute that may arise hotween affiliated unions—the decision of the board to he accepted and to he landing upon tho unions concerned ; (c) to make and interpret all laws and rules of (ho game. The board shall periodically circulate to all affiliated unions and controlling bodies of referees all rulings given on the laws of the game. “That the International Board shall convene a conference of direct delegates at least once in 10 years. “That the International Board approve all international tours, which shall, as far as possible, bo arranged in sequence. (This remit applies only if (he hoard is constituted hv an equal mimlwr of representatives of the eight unions).”