SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16492, 9 November 1927, Page 10

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY

the all black invasion. VIEWS OF W. 11. MOKKEL. W. H. (“Boy”) Morkcl, generally acknowledged as the finest Rugby forward South Africa has produced, is seriously, perturbed about the standard of play in South Africa to-day. In an article, forwarded from Boskop, Transvaal, says the Capo Times, Mr. Morkcl makes the following trenchant observations. which are rendered the more important when it. is remembered that New Zealand has already announced the complete selections for her team to tour this country. “Is all well with South African Rugby? lam afraid I must answer my own question with a decided ‘No.’ The standard to-day, let me say frankly, is not comparable with that which obtained in the years 1908-14. Lot me give my idea why this is so. In my heyday we trained conscientiously; mistakes made by players in practices were closely watched, and an immediate attempt made to rectify them. That was the main reason why we played “correct” Rugby. More than half the backs playing today cannot, even give a proper pass. How often is the art practised with serious determination'? Practice makes perfect; then why not. 'pay attention to a phase that needs it desperately?

Candidly, lam worried about the New Zealand tour. My views may bo classed as strong, but I fancy I am entitled to speak from experience, and I only give them because I hope that I may help in some way or other the game we all love so well.

J travelled with the Western Transvaal side throughout: the carious centres in the Currie Cup tournament. Before L started out I had great hopes South Africa was improving rapidly. 1 am not a pessimist, but if wc intend to uphold our hard-won prestige we shall have to “get busy” very much earlier next season than usual. 1 have “sized up” the various players against, whom 1 have participated this season, but 1 regret to state that the forwards of to-day are oof of the same calibre as those of the .1912 and. 1921 touring teams. I have not discovered, amongst the younger forwards I saw, a Mostert, Ellis, Kruger, Du Floss! s, Van Rooyen or a Royal Morkei. Is it any wonder that I fed despondent?

1 can assure you that the forwards I have mentioned —good men, mind you—met their equals in 1921 in New Zealand, and they were then at their very best. Moreover, they were playing then in front of a full-back who was nursing and saving them on every possible occasion, and this mcitns a good deal to the pack when struggling for 80 minutes at a -terrific pace. I NECESSITY FOR-' FITNESS. . ’ I have great faith in South African Rugby, provided wc go about things in the right manner and that players keep tit properly. The majority of the forwards of to-day do more walking than running while the game is in progress. A forward should never walkin the course of a match. Keep ou running and you will find that you are playing winning Rugby. The forward who walks is out,of condition; this cannot be denied. .

Some time ago I read that a few of the “big guns” in New Zealand coil: detuned the assembling of teams for special training preparatory to big matches. Do you remember the incident of the New Zealand half, who reported late al one of these so-styled special training grounds? What happened ? He was late because he had to “sit” for some examination, but he was left out of the first, test side, but played in subsequent games because he obeyed the strict laws of discipline. Where was the so-called amateur status at that time, Was it thought of when the Springboks had to be opposed? NOT TO BE DISREGARDED. Now the All Blacks are due to visit South African shores in a quest for t,lie f world’s Rugby supremacy. x Must we lightly disregard the national side of the coming fray? I venture to say no, and that we must take special pains to givo of our best.

If an international side, trained “to a. hair” goes down to New Zealand then we can admit we havo been beaten by a better side. My plea, however, rests on the idea that it is essential to face the All Blacks with every man fit, and the team knowing each player’s methods. For such it is necessary for sacrifices to be made all round, ’ and the, object of this article is to make a special request for a little “give and take” on the part of employers in tlie interests of the fair nante and fame of Springbok Rugby. Not lightly have wo wou our present proud posP'on. To maintain it in the face of the New Zealand threat will be a task that may be characterised as more than formidable. For goodness sake, then, let us take all steps to give our men a fair show'. We must not treat matters haphazardly. It is the clarion call of “Wake up, Be alive and doing!”