RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23225, 24 June 1937, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

By Full-back

I' MATCHES EOE THE SEASON s The following is the list of Otago v matches for the season:— * July 31—v. Southland, at Dunedin \ , (Ranfurly Shield). * August 7.—v Southland, at Invercar- % gill. . x August 14.—v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. . C August 18.—v. Wairarapa. at VVaira- \ rapa. £ August 21.—v. Hawke’s Bay, at C Hawke’s Bay. „ . s August 25. —v. Manawatu. at Palmer--5 ston North. V August 28—v. Wellington, at Welling- *, ton. „ >• September 4 (tentative). —v. Bullet, e at Dunedin (Shield match). \ September 11.—v. South Africa at Z Dunedin. : v September 18.—v. Marlborough, at V Dunedin (Ranfurly Shield). September 25.—v. Hawke's Bay. at \ Dunedin (Ranfurly Shield), v

< PIRATES v. UNIVERSITY A v The outstanding feature in the game ' between Pirates and University A was v the display of Taylor, the Pirates and 1 Otago full-back, at first five-eighth, v It is rather remarkable how many fine backs 'can play in the five-eighth or f full-back position. Lilburne and Mark - Nicholls are two players who readily i' come to mind and also Pollock and h W. J. Wallace, though for that matter 2 Wallace was able to play in any posiv tion in the rearguard. Anyway, Tay- '* lor, apart from potting a goal and kicking a penalty goal and converting « a try—nine points out of his side's 12— k in the second spell particularly played v a wonderfully fine game, and was al- ,* ways close to the ball, ready for atv *. tack or defence. His well-judged klcking with the wind in the second half s drove back the A’s attacks time and

v again. i The tactics of a full-back in coming into the passing movements of his ? three-quarters are, no doubt, spectacu- < iar, but there is. a distinct element of I danger unless somebody drops back a to take the full-back’s place. This v was not done on Saturday when Joliy £ came up to join in A passing. The v movement broke down, and Thomson, Pirates’ wing three-quarter, secured the ball and had a clear run for the line. Jolly managed to catch him, but it was then too late, Thomson scoring near the corner. Murphy proved an excellent substitute for Taylor at full-back, and it might be mentioned that Taylor was generally handy to support him when he was being crowded. Bathgate was very sound in defence, but the Pirates three-quarters did not have many opportunities on attack. Parkhill, Mahoney, and Grant set a good- example to the other Pirates forwards. University never looked like a winning team, and though their threequarters were not starved for the ball they lacked thrust and initiative, and they seldom got far in the face of solid tackling. In the second half they only got to their opponents’ line on about one occasion, Jolly, full-back, did some good saving, but was caught with the ball more than once. Berghan, first five-eighth, tried to straighten up his back line,' but Taylor and Bathgate proved too sound in defence. Why the Blue rearguard did not now and again try the cross punt when they found their attacks stifled is difficult to explain. The A backs relied on their speed to take them through the defence. but these tactics did not prevail on Saturday. Anderson, Borrie, and Burns were a trio of hard workers in the tight play, but neither Valentine nor Green was as prominent as usual.

SOUTHERN v. KAIKORAI The game between these two unbeaten teams was confined principally to the forwards. Southern won by two penalty goals and a potted goalall to the credit of D. Trevathan—to a try. The Southern forwards have played better games, and it would seem that the Lawson-Quaid-M‘Donald front row is a better one than that played on Saturday. Simon, the Southern half-back, was well watched, and he was unable to feed his backs as well as in previous games this season, and D. Trevathan, first five-eighth, was seldom allowed to get far. The latter, however, played good sound football, and in face of the manner in which his outside backs were covered tried the short punt more than usual. He gave a solid, workmanlike display. T. Trevathan did not get many chances, and neither did Tapley, and Black was not as safe in taking his passes as usual. E. Bolton, at full-back, played another of his very useful games. Smith, centre, was hurt in the second half, and was replaced by Stent. The Brothers Kean shaped well on the wings for Kaikorai, and both of them made good runs for the line. R. Kean never allowed Black, on the opposing wing, to get far, and N. Kean provided a solid defence against Taplby. Murray, fiveeighth. was the best of the Kaikorai backs, but lie received a bad knock in the first half, and this no doubt affected his subsequent play to some extent. .Manning and A. Bolton were generally safe on defence, and Scott played a plucky game behind the scrum. Miller played a useful game at full-back.

Bartlett and Barnes were noticeable in the loose rushes, and MTntosh, Duncan, and Leatham hooked the ball well from the scrums.

TAIERI v. UNIVERSITY B

The game between Taieri and University B, played at Tonga Park, was open and fast, both sets of backs throwing the ball about in fine style. Though the ground was in a slippery condition, there were few dropped passes, and throughout the wholegame the handful of spectators seldom experienced a dull moment. Both sets of forwards played hard but clean football, but on the day's play the students showed the greater dash. The scrums were equally divided, and a feature of the game was the clean heeling which enabled both rearguards to launch many spectacular attacking movements. , ' . , Giles, Bissett, and Waldron worked hard for Taieri, and they received a full share of support from the other members of the pack. At centre. Murray was always dangerous, and on several occasions he cut the defence in two and paved the way for some of the tries. There were occasions, however, when he would have been well advised to pass out sooner, one certain try being lost because he held on too long. Grant and Findlay made several good runs, and behind the scrum Frew served his five-eighths W fn the University pack. Manning, Seelye (who was recently drawn from the Second Grade team), and Murphy were always up with the play, and, generally speaking, the forwards played well together and were slightly superior to their heavier opponents. At full-back, Symcs had a busy day, but he made very few mistakes. On one occasion when he ran up to participate in a passing rush he made a strong run and scored at the corner. On the wing, Kawe, who, prior to coming to Otago University attended the Sacred Heart College at Auckland, figured in some clever attacking movements. His sense of anticipation resulted in one try, besides which he made several strong runs. With more confidence Kawe should prove a valuable acquisition to the Bs. Andrew, on the other wing, was also prominent and used his weight to advantage. The half-back. Watson, varied his play nicely and the second five-eighth, Skeiley, made some tricky solo dashes.

DUNEDIN v, ALHAMBRA

Dunedin and Alhambra met at Tahuna Park, and the Dark Blues won after a rather uninteresting game by 6 points to 5 points. On the play Dunedin must be adjudged lucky to win, Playing with, the strong wind, Dun-

edin could only score one try, and Alhambra led by 5 points to 3 points, Lament converting a try scored by Lind with a wonderful place kick from near the side lino and well out. In the second spell Alhambra made the play tight, taking scrums instead of lino olits, and getting the ball from the scrums. Just before time Egan, the Dunedin full-back, put his side in front with a penalty kick, the ball striking an upright and bouncing through the posts. Campbell capably led the Alhambra forwards, who had control of the ball most of the second spell. Frood also played a sound game for Alhambra, and Orange, five-eighths, and Flint, on the wing, Were the best of the backs, the latter running with great determination. The Alhambra fullback was not over-safe, and did not handle the ball very well. The Dunedin team was not seen at its best. Wilkins, the half-back, could not get the ball hooked to him from the scrums, and when he did Manion and Spillano hung to the ball and paid the penalty. They also, of course, held up the attacks of their side. Egan, full-back, was not as safe as usual, but he made one opening for T. Treacy, who, after a brilliant run, scored at the cornei’. The tackling of the Alhambra backs, it may be added, was somewhat half-hearted. Berry played another fine game for his side in the forwards, and P. Treacy was the best of the others. ZINGARI-RICHMOND v. UNION Notwithstanding the state of the ground and the strong south-westerly wind, the match between Zingari and Union was quite an interesting one, the former winning by 22 points to 6. Both sets of backs tried to open up the play, and there were several spectacular movements. Zingari had the advantage of the wind in the first spell, and they made the most of it, scoring 17 points to their opponents’ three, but after half time Union found itself unable to repeat Zingari’s performance, solid tackling by the Colours’ backs keeping the Reds in check. The winners were forced to do most of the defending in the second spell, but Union could break through only once. Lumsden and Murray were the mainstays in the Zingari attack, the former scoring a try, kicking a magnificent penalty goal from just inside halfway and converting a try. Murray was also dangerous on attack, and he made several good breakaways on his own. The Colours forwards were well led by Hennessey, Short and Lowrie, and the loose rushes of the forwards in the first spell were the forerunners of two scores. . Union ‘ wore themselves out in the first spell, and were not in a position to take full advantage of the wind after half time. Smith, at fullback, had plenty to do, but he found difficulty in gauging the flight of the ball in the wind—a fault for whicn he could hardly be blamed. Coding and Homer were the best of the other backs, which did not show up as well as the. Zingari rearguard. Vorrath. Richards and Faris were prominent in the forward play. NOTES,, The Springboks will play the first test against Australia at Sydney on Saturday. If the ground is dry a great game should result, as if it is claimed that the South Africans are at a disadvantage on the wet ground the same claim can be put forward for an Australian team. The weather conditions can hardly be put forward as a sound excuse for the heavy defeat of the Springboks by New South Wales on Saturday, as in the third test between the Springboks and New Zealand in 1921 the ground could hardly have been worse, and the result was in doubt to the final whistle. It seems rather strange in the face of the interest aroused in the tour of the Springboks that there was only an attendance of 8000 spectators—mostly ground members —to witness the game between New South Wales and South Africa. One is prompted to ask whether the bad weather conditions were the chief cause of the small attendance or whether the popularity of the game in Sydney has faded In this connection Dr W, C. Ring, the well-known Auckland veterinarian, interviewed on Jus return from a visit to Australia, stated that he learned while in Sydney that broadcasting had greatly reduced the attendances at race meetings and that the same effect had been noticeable at football matches. Taylor, the Pirates’ five-eighth, was about the only player on Saturday at Carisbrook who, when his side had the wind behind it, took full advantage of the situation. A man playing against a wind has first ,to take the ball and then kick it to some effect, and this is generally not a very easy thing to do. Simply kicking to the line when a player has the wind behind him is bad tactics. Here is the opportunity for up-and-under play. THE FREE KICK AND THE PENALTY KICK 1 It is an almost universal practice among football enthusiasts to designate all kicks on the field as free kicks. But the use of the terni almost invariably conveys a wrong conception of the type of kick which is actually taken. Kicks fall into classes—the free kick and the penalty kick. There is a wide distinction between the two. A free kick, which can be awarded only as the result of a fair catch either from a kick, a knock-on or a throw forward, is. despite the descriptive adjective, in point of fact a restricted kick, restricted in the sense that the opposition can charge as soon as the kicker starts to run or offers to kick in the case of a punt or a drop-kick, or if a place kick as spon as the ball touches the ground. A penalty kick, which is awarded for a breach of the laws. is. on the other hand, an unrestricted kick. Opposing players, in the event of a drop-kick or a punt, cannot charge, and if a kick at goal is taken the opposition must remain passive and not interfere with the flight of the ball in any way. OTAGO ALL BLACKS Deal; “ Full-back;”—Valued as your opinions are, there is a widely-held view that the Dunedin newspapers should do more to advance the claims of leading Otago players for inclusion in the All Blacks than has been their custom in the past. For some weeks the North Island press, through its own sporting contributors, reinforced by player-writers, has been “ selecting ” the New Zealand team, and one newspaper, greatly magnanimous, has actually mentioned one Otago player, to wit, G. F. Turner (!), presumably J. Taylor. Well, we saw most of the “ cracks ” last season, and to say that their attempts to win the shield from this, the champion province, were hopelessly ineffective is stating the case mildly indeed Gilbert and Pollock. in particular, were almost pathetic by comparison with the games played by Taylor, and our two fiveeighths. Trevathan and Gillies, overshadowed every pair they met. And. coming to the forwards, the Dark Blue pack outplayed their opponents in every game and paved the way for the backs. It is agreed by many keen observers of the game in Dunedin that there are four, if not five, Otago players who. on any reasonable basis of selection, should have definite claims to inclusion in the All Blacks. They are Taylor, D. Trevathan, Parkhill, and Quaid, and, possibly, Simon, whose all-round ability as a half-back has not been fully appreciated here and whose claims have never been adequately considered in the north. He is. at least, a possibility; the other four should be certainties. M’Donald, I may add, is not available. I trust that you will add the weight of your own responsible opinion to the reasoning I have advanced, —I am, etc., Justice for Otago.

Whenever 11 Full-back ” has considered a player worthy of All Black honours he has never hesitated to say so—but he has to be worthy. Some of the “ boosting ” of players in the north is a waste of pen, paper, and ink, and a waste of an intelligent reader’s time. All the “ boosting ” by me or anyone else will not make a player an All Black, if ne has not the qualifications And. moreover, if a selector can be misled by “boosting,” then he does not know his job. In this connection

there is one North Island forward who is being nominated for inclusion in the New Zealand team by both Auckland and Wellington papers who would, I am afraid, have a difficulty in getting into a leading team in Dunedin. So far as my correspondent’s selections art concerned, I agree with every one of them, and I would go further and say that I personally would have included Simon without any reservations.

SOUTH AFRICA v. VICTORIA

INTERESTING COMMENT

Mr John Robertson, who was employed as a linotypist in the Otago Daily Times for a number of years, and who now resides in Melbourne, sends me the following interesting comment on the game between South Africa and Victoria:—

The play of the tourists at times was most spectacular, the passing and general understanding among backs and forwards being a treat to watch. Hofmeyr’s two potted goals were the result of quick thinking on his part, while the place-kicking of the full-back. Brand, gave one the impression that he could put on points from almost any part of the field. The Victorians seemed almost afraid to tackle theii hefty opponents, but in the second spell matters were more even. Free kicks were numerous, the great majority being against the visitors, whose play iv as at times more vigorous than scientific. On tho whole, however the game was played in a friendly spirit. Towards the close the home backs staged a fine passing movement, which gained a good bit of ground, but. alas! tlie pass which the wing man expected to receive was snatched ere it reached his hands by a Springbok intervening and “streaking” at full speed to score between the posts. The general team work of the South Africans was excellent. each man sinking his own individuality and playing for his side. No doubt the tourists will meet sterner opposition in New Zealand, but the Maorilanders will require to give nothing away, as the Springboks are opportunists of the first water. THE TRIAL TEAMS FEW HEAVY FORWARDS DETAILS OF PLAYERS

The full list of players nominated for selection in the North-South Island and trial week matches at Wellington from July 10 to July 17 is given below. Additional nominations can be made to June 30. and it can be expected that an additional number of players will enter the lists then.

FULL-BACKS Age. Weight I. Bebrns (Ashburton) .. .. 22 12.1 S. F. Easton (N. Otago) .. .. 22 11.4 J. Taylor (Otago) 25 12.1 H. R. Pollock (Wellington) .. 27 10.6 M. O’Connor (S. Cant.) .. .. 22 11.12 G. Gilbert (West Coast) .. .. 26 13.3 THREE-QUARTERS J. Dick (Auckland) 24 12.3 D. G. Cobden (Canterbury) .. 23 13.4 H. Waugh (Manawatu) .. .. 22 12.6 J. Morrison (S. Cant.) .. .. 23 12.9 R. White (Hawke’s Bay) .. 23 13.0 E. Apsey (Hawke’s Bay) .. 26 10.12 J. Watt (Wellington) .. .. 22 12.7 A. W. Black (Otago) .. .. 22 14.0 W. Phillips (K. Country) .. 23 13.10 R. B. Lllley (Ashburton) .. 21 12.10 A. Sutherland (Southland) .. 21 12.6 E. Smith (Taranaki) .. .. 23 12.2 E. Grant (Poverty Bay) .. A. E. M’Anery (Pov. Bay) .. 19 13.7 CENTRE THREE-QUARTERS T. Trevathan (Otago) .. .. 26 12.0 N. A. Mitchell (Southland) .. 23 13.3 D. G. Barton (Wanganui) .. 24 12.2 J. L. Sullivan (Taranaki) .. 22 12.5 B. Riddell (Bush) .. ~ .. 23 11.7 A. Strachan (Buller) .. .. 23 11.7 FIVE-EIGHTHS W. G. Brooks (Canterbury) .. 22 11.6 J. A. Hooper (Canterbury) .. 23 11.0 D. Lane (Marlborough) .. .. 25 11.0 N. Kotua (Marlborough) .. 22 11.10 H. Bradley (Hawke’s Bay) .. 28 11.0 C. Robins (Hawke’s Bay) .. 28 11.4 D. Trevathan (Otago) .. .. 24 12.9 B. Thomas (Whnganui) .. .. 18 10.7 C. Crossman (K. Country) .. 24 11.12 G. Forde (North Otago) .. 22 10.4 S. Stewart (Buller) .. .. .. 26 11.12 R. Lundy (S. Canterbury) .. 23 10.12 D. Solomon (Auckland) .. 24 11.13 HALF-BACKS J. J. M'Auliffe (Canterbury) .. 24 11.9 L. Clothier (Hawke’s Bay) .. 2a 11.7 B. S. Sadler (Wellington) .. 22 10.6 H. Simon (Otago) .. .. 26 10.8 J. A. Purdue (Southland) .. 2a 11.6 C. Saxton (S. Canterbury) .. 24 10.5 L. Russell (Waikato) .. .. 21 10.2 FRONT ROW W. E. Hadley (Auckland) 26 12.7 C. S. Pepper (Auckland), .. 25 13.3 O. Hattersley (Cant.) .. .. 23 14.3 G. Orman (Buller) 2a 12.10 G. T. Adkins (S. Cant.) .. 26 15.8 E. Jackson (Hawke’s Bay) 23 14.0 D. Dalton (Hawke’s Bay) .. 24 13.10 A. Lambourn (Wellington) 26 13.8 C. E. Quaid (Otago) .. .. 28 13.8 A. D. Dolg (Ashburton) .. .. 25 14.1 J. M’Kenzie (Ashburton) .. 27 13.4 J. Easton (North Otago) .. 26 12,13 G. Fowler (Taranaki) .. .. 26 I3.iu V. L. George (Southland) .. 28 14.4 W. Brown (Marlborough) .. 22 13.3 H. Andersen (Horowhenua) .. 21 14.0 W. Thompson (Wanganui) .. 26 12.7 H. Crawford (Manawatu) .. 23 12.12 J. Leeson (Waikato) .: 27 12.8 SECOND ROW R. H. Ward (Southland) .. 21 14.0 L. J. Niven (Otago) .. .. -4 138 J. Wells (Wellington) .. .. M. W. Devine (Wellington) .. 26 14a Fraser Smith (Wellington) .. 28 14.2 S. Reid (Hawke’s Bay) ..24 14.10 A. Bowman (Hawke’s Bay) .. 23 14.8 R. M'Kenzie (Manawatu) .. 26 lo.i R. K, Anderson (Auckland) .. 23 14 / C. Pearce (Auckland) .. .. 24 14./ R. R. Hull (Auckland) .. .. 27 14,7 H. Milliken (Canterbury) .. 23 14.12 C. O’Dowda (Taranaki) .. .. 26 13. i A. Davidson (Wanganui) .. 24 13.10 N. James (Wanganui) .. .. 24 4.0 D. A. Failover (Bush) .. .. 24 14.7 T. Harvey (Bush) 25 14.6 W. Aitken (Bush) 24 13.6 G Mason (Buller) .. .. 2a 13.13 J. Paine (Marlborough) .. 22 13.10 G. H. Graham (Southland) .. 25 13.0 H, L. Fleming (Manawatu) .. 24 13.7 J. Strang (S. Canterbury) .. 22 14.2 R. R. King (West Coast) .. 26 14.10 M. Scandrett (West Coast) .. J. J. Best (Waikato) .. .. 22 14.8 BACK ROW J. G. Rankin (Canterbury) .. 23 12.12 F. J. Green (Otago) .. .. A. A. Parkhill (Otago) .. .. 25 3.12 F. Solomon (Auckland) .. .. 31 15.0 J. M'Clenghan (Taranaki) .. 26 3.7 R. Rogers (Poverty Bay) .. 26 14.8 J. Finlay (Manawatu) .. 21 i3.i LATE ENTRIES E. M. Catley (Waikato) .. 21 13.10 G. M, Chitty (Waikato) .. .. 23 1-.10 J. M’N. Taylor (Waikato) .. 23 14.3 T. Thomson (Waikato) .. .. 28 14. a