RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 48

RUGBY.

By Full Back. The football notes for the season conclude with this issue. The season has been a lengthy one and notwithstanding the faet that the standard of football has not always been as high as followers of the game would have liked, public interest has been maintained right through.

RANFURLY SHIELD CHALLENGES. In the midst of the congratulations arid general feeling of satisfaction that the Wellington team successfully lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Southland, the probable effect that trophy will have on club Rugby next season is liable to be overlooked (says the Dominion). Never at any time when Wellington has held the shield has there been a lack of challenges, for Athletic Park is a football centre easily accessible by a majority of unions in New Zealand. It is so centrally situated that the Wellington Union is practically certain to be almost inundated with challenges next year—Wairarapa, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawhenua: to mention only four, are certain to forward challenges. Canterbury, Otago, and Southland each will be sending touring sides north next j’ear, and it must "be remembered that with such a short distance to send their teams minor unions such as Bush, Marlborough, and Nelson are likely to present claims for challenge matches. An extensive representative programme seems assured, always assuming that the team is capable of holding the shield, and the position seems likely to arise that club matches will be more or less at a standstill comparatively early in the season. That in turn means that a great many players would be standing on the bank watching others in action when they should, in the ordinary course of events, have been playing themselves, with the consequent result that possibly they would lose interest in the game and seriously consider the attractions of the rival code.” So, though from the spectators’ point of view possession of the shield ensures attractive Rugby, that possession is liable to prove only a mixed blessing after all. THE BRITISH TEAM. At the farewell to che British team in Sydney the manager, Mr Baxter, gave an, indication what his report to the Rugby Football Union would be like so far as the Australian section of the tour was concerned. “ Our only regret is that our stay in Australia was so short,” he said. “We did our best to get here a fortnight earlier, but the fates were against us. We loved to play against you and loved to mix with you after the game. There you have the essence of this great game. I shall have a very happy tale to relate to the English Rugby Union, and it is simply this: ‘All is well with the game in ' Australia.’

. “ I have seen for myself the difliculties with which you have to contend. The magnificent fight which you have put up under very great handicaps has eventuated in a triumph, and your path from now on should be very easy. I hope that a British team will be in Australia within at least 10 years, and certainly, then, earlier in the season. In our games in Sydney not only did Australia play the game with virility, but a blind man could have seen that there was a earefully-thought-out plan of attack. For this I award Australia full marks. New South Wales has certain very natural aspirations. She wants to have something to say in the control of the game, but until she agrees to play under International Board rules she cannot share in control. The board has the power to dictate. There are the rules, and you must obey, them before you can hope to share in control. Accept these rules is my advice, and then, if you have suggestions to make, I can assure you that they will be listened to patiently. The motto the International Board has always followed is ‘ festina lente’ (hasten slowly). One last suggestion is that the New South Wales Union should have an inner cabinet to control the game—call it a House of Lords if you like—but a cabinet of trusted and true players and ex-players.”

TARANAKI DEFEATS WAIRARAPA MASTERTON, September 24. The Taranaki Rugby representatives today defeated Wairarapa by 20 points to B. Wairarapa failed to score until the closing stages of the game, when Churchouse crossed for their only try, Fuller converting A few minutes later Nikorima landed a good penalty goal. For Tdranaki tries were secured by Watson Walters, Petty, Owen, and Galbraith, one being converted by Collins, who also k’cked a penalty goal. The winners showed superior speed and combination. WELLINGTON BEATS MANAWHENUA. PALMERSTON N., September 28. The Wellington Rugby team defeated Manawhenua by 19 points to 6. The game was a forward one, played for the most part in pouring rain. WELLINGTON DEFEATS , TARANAKI. WELLINGTON, September 27. In the last game of the season played here this afternoon Wellington defeated Taranaki by 11 points to 4. The game ■was easily the best interprovincial fixture seen on Athletic Park this year, for the teams were far more evenly matched than the seven points’ difference between them suggests, and territorially Taranaki had a slight advantage. 'Wellington, however, had by far the greater finish, and though one try was rather a lucky one it deserved to vin on the day’s play. Cooke was indirectly responsible for the first try scored by Mackay, while late in the second spelLßarry scored -at the end of a forward rush. Cooke also

kicked a penalty goal. For Taranaki Galbraith potted a good field goal. M‘Lean, Cooke, and Julian, all members of the Wellington team, were injured during the match and had to retire.

PRESENTATION TO PORTER.

ALL BLACK CAPTAIN’S RETIREMENT. WELLINGTON, Cjptember 27. Some 50 friends and admirers of liff Porter met to-day to make him a presentation in recognition of the great part he has played in New Zealand football and to mark their sense of regret ar his retirement from representa'-ive honours. The gathering was quite unofficial, and the memento took the form of a sketch and photos of incidents in the last international, game, framed a d suitably inscribed, and autographed. Testimony was borne to Porter’s leadership, his sportsmanship, and his courage. ..In reply, the All Black captain spoke of having had many good and hard games, and of having made many friends. Though retiring, he hoped to take an active interest in the game.