FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 52

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO R EPRESENTATTVE FIXTURES. The following are the Otago represents tivo fixtures for the season: August 16 —v. Canterbury. August 23—v. South Canterbury. September 6—v. Wairarapa. September 13 —New Zealand v. Australia. September 17 —v. Wellington. September 27 —v. Southland. AUSTRALIAN RUGBY TEAM’S TOUR IN NEW ZEALAND. Wednesday. August 27 —Versus Auckland, at Auckland. Saturday, August 30 —Versus Taranaki, at New Plymouth. Wednesday, September s—Versus5 —Versus Wanganui, at Wanganui. Saturday, September 6—Versus New Zealand, at Wellington. Wednesday, September 10 —V e r s us Southland, at Invercargill. Saturday, September 13 —Versus New Zealand, at Dunedin. Wednesday, September 17—Versus South Canterbury, at Timaru. Saturday, September 20 —Versus New Zealand, at Christchurch. Wednesday, September 24 —Versus Marlborough. at Blenheim. RUGBY. Br Full Hack. Tho opening of tiro season of representative football and tho selection of the first team to represent Otago affords occasion for comment on the prospects of Otago in the matches in general and the match against Canterbury in particular. It were not wise to say too much about the chances of Otago in the series of representative engagements ahead until the first Otago team of the year has been tried out against Canterbury. Tho form of the Otago fifteen in the match to be played on Saturday should furnish a more reliable guide to the future than all tho theories one may advance beforehand. The team selected to represent Otago in tho match against Canterbury appears to have given fairly general satisfaction as much satisfaction, that is, as might have been expected in a city which claims nine senior clubs and in which every patron of football is a critic. The soleselector system has always appealed to me as being the more satisfactory; but, be the system what it may, there is certain to exist a difference of opinion as to the merits and claims of players for representative honours. The team under review is a good one —at least it appears so on paper, and I will be surprised if it docs not prove so on- the field. Tho selectors have given Scott another trial as full back. The statement is made reservedly, for the feeling is deep within mo that if the Kaikorui full back docs not show improved form in the forthcoming match wo may expect a change in the last lino of defence. Scott has not been on his game consistently this season, and is not by degrees the player he was two years ago. There has been a hesitancy and uncertainty about his play, particularly in going to take the ball, that has shaken confidence; and, while he improves with work, there is always tho danger that before he recovers form the opposition will have placed tho game beyond recovery. Otago may be able to take such a risk; but that risk might be covered to some extent by trying a more consistent player in the [josition Watson appeals to me as being the player on form who will cause the least anxiety as tho last lino of defence. I have not forgotten the consistently good form of this player on tour in the north last season, and there has been no lot-down :n his game this season. Against Canterbury. Taranaki, Auckland, and Wellington Watson, at full back for Otago, stood in a class by himself. His kicking may not be as powerful us that of Scott, but for certainty in taking the ball and for consistent play he is the superior of the Kaikorai representative. Watson has proved a bettor full hack than a threequarter, and tho replacing of the Port man in the line with Withers, of University, would have increased the scoring powers of that division. Such a reconstruction may probably have weakened the defence on one wing, but if a team can increase its attacking capacity it can afford to lessen its defence. There is no sounder axiom in Rugby than that attack is the best defence. With Watson full back and Harris. Cuthill, and Withers in the three-quarter division defence is provided for. while attack is forthcoming from both wings and centre. How frequently has it occurred that the opportunity for attack has gone to the defensive wing, while tho attacking player has boon starved. Not only do opportunities innumerable go by the board by playing a non-attacking player on the wing of tho three-quarter line, but the work of the fiveeighths is handicaped by having only one side to play to, whereas with two attacking wings the five-eighths and centre three, quarter have two attacking flanks. Frankly. I am not an admirer of Eckhold at fiveeighths, and would infinitely prefer tho Southern man behind the serum. F. Williams and R. Black would pair better than the Eekhold-Williams combination on attack,

and as the primary object is to get through the defence of the opposing team, why not bring all the attacking forces to hear on the position? \\ hen the development of tiro two five-eighths system was brought about in New Zealand it was with the object of making the attack stronger, j Instead of having one atacking player in I the position two were brought into requisition. Otherwise Otago might git back to the old system of a half back, a live-eighths, and eight forwards. No one can help ad miring the pluck of Dryden behind the scrum, and ho is a good little player; but Kckhold or Childs, of University, will got the bail away as well, and physically are better able to stand up to the opposing forwards. Wliv Childs lias not been given a chance in this match is best known to the selectors. The University half has played consistently well for his team, ho is as good a half back as there is at present in Dunedin, and members of the New Zealand University team state that in Sydney it was Childs who made the opportunities for the other New Zealand backs to shine. Childs can. get the ball away with the bs . : t of them, and wo know that ho is not afraid to go down to a rush. The forwards are a good lot. and although the pack does not differ materially from that which played against the Maoris, there should not bo a repetition of t.iat poor display. Patterson, "'A oodrow, and M ‘Donald, on recent form, may lie depended upon to follow up fast brcine away in, the dribbling rushes, ami tuoro is no reason why the remainder should not t.o so. Graham is under a cloud in local football circles, and there are many who do not like Douglas; but the Southern representatives have only to produce their form on the northern tour last year to proto their worth. It will be necessary to play a good man on the wing to stop Money, of Canterbury, who, on the authority of Otago legislators who witnessed the interisland match, completely outplayed the North Island wings—Dustin (Wanganui) and Wilson (Wellington). Murray is a powerful plaver of great dash, whoso dart, is sudden and whoso tackling is certain. M ‘Donald is the one man in the Otago team to oppose the Canterbury representative and to piotcct the Otago half back.

A well-known ex-represontative who knows his football better than most said he could pick a good team to represent Otago that would not include a single Southern player. This is his team: —Full back, Watson; three-quarters —Harris, Cuthill, \V fibers; five-eighths —Williams, Black; halfback, Childs: forwards —I’. Williams, Russell, Mo wot, Tansev, Patterson, M‘Donald, Kidd, Woodrow. An excellent team I should say. and one which commends itself.

The voting Zingari three-quarterback, Baird, was unable to play for his team against tho Old Boys on Saturday, owing to having contracted an attack of influenza. For the same reason he was not considered for the. Otago team against Canterbury. Mr W r . J. Wilson, tho well-known Otago referee, lints been asked to control the Cam terbury-South Canterbury match, to be played' at Tiina.ru on Thursday. Since the personnel of the New Zealand team for California was made known the names of certain players have been bandied about in curious fashion, and tho statements concerning these have been surprisingly inaccurate. The fact that the information comes from Wellington is of no particular moment, but I cannot understand why wo must needs hear these tilings from W ellington. Take tho caso of J. Cuthill, tho Otago University three-quarter, in the Now Zealand team. Ho was selected on his merits, and everyone who knows tho 'Varsity mail was pleased at his inclusion. Arrangements were being made quietly from Dunedin to secure for Cuthill the necessary leave of absence from tho education authorities, and no trouble was anticipated when it was telegraphed from Wellington that Cuthill was unable to make the trip. It may be that what is unknown to Cuthill himself is known in Wellington, but it seems highly' probable that a- mistake has occurred. Cuthill proposes making the trip provided ho can secure leave of absence, and as no difficulty is anticipated on this score, one may conclude that the 'Varsity centre will bo a member of the New Zealand team when it sails front W ellington on September 12. So far as can bo ascertained, ail the other Otago member® of the team are available, but the question of finance bulks largely, that question must first be* answered satisfactorily before preparations are made. I understand that ways and means are being devised privately, and that present prospects point to Otago been represented by (he five players selected. A few' weeks ago Alex. M'Donaki might have been considered fortunate in getting into the New Zealand team, for he had not boon showing his old form. Then, as if to confound his critics, he came out recently, and gave of his best. Tho old l dash, the quick seizure of an opening, tho swift and certain tackle—all were there as in his All Black days. Now M‘Donald is second to no forward in tho New Zealand team, and easily first in experience and knowledge of tho game. It has been reported that he will captain the team. Tho appointment has yet to bo made, but no doubt M'Donaki will bo invited to accept the position. In addition to leading the New Zealanders, the Otago All Black will bo able to give the Americans a good example of their own tackle, which is such a feature of American football.

“ Otago nominated 17 players for the New Zealand team.” The information is not quite accurate, but it is staggering all tho same. Wo should probably have known nothing about this had it not been for the eruption made by tho Wellington Rugby Union over tho non-inclusion of Ramsdcn and Mitchinson in tho team for California. Tho outcome was the revelation of the Now Zealand Rugby Union of tho number of nominations it received from the various unions for the New Zealand team. Otago is credited with having nominated 17 players, though Mr V. Cavanagh, the Otago representative on the New Zealand Selection Committee, says 15 nominations were forwarded, and explains his action, lie states that he received a reply-paid telegram from tho New' Zealand Rugby Union asking for the Otago nominations, the names being required to enable the governing l>ody to exorcise a judicial supervision of tho whole of the selection. As, however, Mr Cavanagh could not got into communication at once with his Otago oosclectors (Messrs Sinclair and Stuart), and the Wellington telegram appeared to require an immediate reply, he decided to send forward the whole of the Otago fifteen selected to play against the Maori team. It should be pointed out that the nominations received from all the unions through rho dominion, after having been approved by tho New Zealand Rugby Union, were

placed before the North Island and South Island selectors respectively to enable them to pick the two fifteens to take part in this fixture, and at the conclusion of the match Messrs Wilson. Cavanugh, Mynott, and Gallagher selected the men to go to California. Mr Cavanagh, it will time be seen, through sending forward 15 nominations, had the opportunity of again revising the names when the South Island team was being select; d, and the names once more came before him when the Californian team was selected. Ihe live Otago men, however, who got into the South Island fifteen were finally picked for the Californian ttam. Mr Cavanagh's explanation disarms the criticism from Wellington that “it is a transparent and ancient Otago device.” Having hoard it no one will accuse Mr Cavanagh of having had any ulterior motive. There were three selectors in addition to Mr Cavanagh selecting the New Zealand team, and it suggests itself to me that it would not have mattered in the least how many nominations were forwarded from Otago; if the selectors were of opinion that not one of the number was lit for inclusion in the New Zealand team none would have been been included. Otago s nominal on had certainly nothing to do with the non-inclusion of Ramsden and Mitchinson, but Wellington, smarting under the injustice, holds up its hand in the l.tt-Io infant-room manner and pleads; ‘‘Please teacher, look at Otago!” Only an infant, class could bo possible of such demeanour, and surely it was the smallest infant in the class who stated that the number of nominations sent forward by Mr Cavanagh ‘‘was a device well calculated to re-open the ancient breat h between Wellington and- Otago!”

Tho murmurings of few littlo people in Wellington is beside the question. What is of moment is the object Mr Cavanagh had in view when nominating 15 Otago players for the New Zealand team. Having heard his explanation, I am prepared to believe tiiat it was with no such unworthy idea as has been attributed to him. Ho knew that Otago had not half the number of players whose claims wore worthy of consideration for a New Zealand team, and that fact should have saved h:m laying Otago open to a criticism of sportsmanship. Con-uiitai ion with his co-selectors in Otago would have fixed up the business in a few minutes, for it was an easy matter to have selected the names of those players in this province whose merits entitled them to consideration. Tho main object in nominating players for intcr-Island or New Zealand teams is to assist tho selectors in choosing these teams, but in the multitude of unreasonable nominations the object is defeated. The inclusion of Baird as an emergency in the New Zealand team for California has naturally excited comment, and I am with those who arc surprised at this selection. Tho Zingari three-quarter is a promising player and in a season or two, if he slicks to it, will be a really good player, but his selection as emergency for a New Zealand team iaf tho present time is premature. If it is the intention to give the promising young players iu New Zealand a chance, the selection of Baird can offer no objection, but as the idea has evidently been to select the best players available, only tho best should be chosen irrespective of their nomination. The team has to bo finally approved by the New Zealand Rugby Union, in addition to passing a medical test, and with the element of players dropping out through inability to obtain leave, there is a prospect of a few changes taking place before ihe team sails from Wellington on September 12. ‘' There is no one regrets the position more than I do,” said Mr V. R. Meredith (sole selector for tho Wellington Rugby Union), referring to The non-inclusion in the team to tour California of Mitchinson.

“ I was surprised, to say tho least of it, to sec the attitude Mr Galbraith took. As a matter of fact, I could not nominate Mitchinson in time —no one could have conscientiously dono so. When ho started »n to play he was as fat as butter—-his waist-lino had disappeared, and few would have thought that there was a chance of his ‘coming back.’ But the unexpected happened. He did ‘come back,’ and ns soon as f was sure that ho con'd pul up as attractive a game as ever I telegraphed Mynott nominating him. My action was quite logical, quite rational, and quite fair throughout. Knowing me, I think that tho selectors of tho Californian team should have deliberated on tho inclusion of Mitchinson, and I do not think that Wellington should have been penalised by not having a representative on the Selection Committee. That is not one for myself—there are others who could have performed the duties as well as myself. As things are, it appears that a union can only get a fair run by having a man on the committee. The principle is not ia good one, us there should bo absolute impartiality exercised, but as things are at present it seems to mo necessary for a big union to be represented on tho committee, if it is not to be unrepresented on the field. Anyhow, it will not concern rne much longer. I'm getting out at the end of the year!”

At the start-of the season the Alhambra team suffered probably more than any other in the competition owing to the. number of last season’s players dropping out; and although the %d-and-Blacks picked up wonderfully well the team was subject to many changes. Combination was, of course, not to be expected in the circumstances, and the side was never really able to settle down with any degree of confidence. On occasions when the team was short one or other of the old players would turn out, and if these had stuck to it all might have been well. Despite the handicap. Alhambra nut up one or two good games, and effected a surprise in the last match of the season by defeating Kaikorai. The team included several promising juniors, who only require to go in for systematic training to develop into useful players. With those as a basis, Alhambra should be able to build up a good team next year. The team possessed one bright and clever player in F. Williams, the five-eighths, and in P. Williams an expert hooker and an honest scrummer. Of all the teams the improved form of tho Union was tho most pleasing, and excited general comment. So marked the improvement and such tho sporting game played, that after long seasons tho Flag Committee placed tho Maroons on tho Caledonian Ground, where tho team not only justified tho action of tho authorities, but put up two of the l>est games of tho season. Then disaster happened. One after another of the players met with injuries, until in some matches less than half of the senior team was able to turn out. Junior players wore called upon to fill the ranks of tho disabled seniors, and so the junior ranks wore also depleted. Victory or defeat was alike to tho Maroons, who rejoiced when they

won and rejoiced in the game when they lost. r lius sporting spirit made the team very popular, and if by good play Union should rise to premiership honours next season nothing would give greater satisfaction. In Robinson the Union had a full hack of great piomise. who. had he him able to play throughout the season, wcu'd have had to be considered as an Otago representative. Thai honour will coiiie. The other backs w, re fair, with a good little player in .Marks, the serum half; Richmond', too. rim five-c ighth-s. showed promise. The forwards, young and enthusiastic, combined well, and i never saw better footwork than the Union forwards displayed in their two matches on the Caledonian Ground. The Ron Chalmers team was strengthened for the season's football by the inclusion of one or two fon ign players, and in the majority of matches Port proved a side to he reckoned with. The backs were fair, with sound players in Kelly, Watson, and Dougherty; while the forwards, of whom Fitzgerald was the best all-round man. were good as a pack. The old Dunedin team made little headway during the season, but effected a great surprise in beating Southern in the last match. It was certainly a dramatic finish, for Dunedin had been playing very in-and-out, football, and the victory was totally unexpected. Lack of training and enthusiasm appeared to he the chief reasons for Dui.ed n s failure. The want of condition was noticeable in several of the matches in which the Dark Blues were engaged. Dashing pay in the first spoil invariably saw the team fade away in the second half. Some promising materia! was in the team, but it was never brought to light owing to the lack of interest in the training operations by the old players. In the backs the most consistent players wore Jeffs, Fortune. and Bond, while Skinner, M’Taggart, and W oods were the best of the forwards. Pirates experienced a serious set hack early in the season owing to injuries to several of their best players—notably to T. Denniston, a young, dashing forward, who would have made his mark this season, and to R. Black, the clever five-eighths. Pirates never appeared to recover after tills, and the play was spasmodic during the season. The team had two fair threequarters in Wren and M’Kellar, and Black, when he played, was of material assistance. The forwards were led by Gerald M’Kellar, who also captained the team. Unless brighter prospects are in store next season, the matter of the amalgamation of Pirates and Dunedin may he worthy of consideration. The Dunedin Club is to be congratulated upon its success against Southern on Saturday. The win provides a good finish for tho season, and it is to bo hoped may ho taken as a happy augury for the season to come. It is true that Southern hardly played up to the form they have displayed in some matches, but the Dark Blues had a day out. Their forwards played in the loose with great eclan, and, above all, with admirable cohesion, while, though a lighter combination, they quite held their own in tho tight work and got a good share of tho ball in tho scrums. Carisbrook was in good order, and suited tho faster Blue forwards, who repeatedly broko away in fast open rushes, Skinner being generally in the van. All the backs handled tho ball with precision. Fortune, on tho wing, being remarkably safe. His try was the outcome of a good piece of individual work, his pace enabling him to outdistance the opposition. Bond, at centre thiee-quartor, and O’Keeffe, at scrum half, both played well, tho latter proving a thorn in the side of tho (Southern forwards whenever they came away with the ball. In the second half Southern were unfortunate in losing the services of Irvine, who injured his hand apd was forced to retire.

Geddes, five-eighth of the team chosen for the Californian tour, has informed tho selectors that he is unable to make tho tour.