RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 18

RUGBY

M M M SEASON’S ENGAGEMENTS SOUTHLAND’S PROGRAMME. The following table gives the list of fixtures in which Soutnlanders are interested this season:— June 15.—Po5sibles v. Probablea (New Zealand trial), at Wellington. July 20.—Southland trials game, at Rugby Park. July 27.—Town team v. Sub-Unions’ team at Rugby Park. August 3.—Otago sub-Unions v. Southland sub-Unions, at Dunedin. August 10.—Southland v. Otago, at Invercargill. August 17.—Southland V. Wanganui, at Invercargill. August 21.—Southland v. Wairarapa, at Invercargill. August 24.—Southland v. Otago, at Dunedin. August 28.—Southland v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. .. August 31.—Southland v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 4.—Southland v. Wellington, at Wellington. September 7.—Southland v. Auckland, (Shield challenge), at Auckland. September 12.—Southland v. Taranaki, at Stratford. NOTES AND NEWS. (By “Onlooker.”) The final All Black trial will be played at Wellington to-day. The team for England will probably be announced this evening. The second round of Galbraith Shield matches commences next Saturday afternoon. Gervyn Thomas, Pirates half-back, suffered a wrist injury in the Old BoysPirates game a fortnight ago. In all probability he will be right to take his place behind the Pirates scrum on Saturday week. S. E. Purdue, brother of George, impressed the crowd with his forward play in the Western-Northern game on Country Day. There will be keen competition for places in the sub-unions’ pack this season. Two teams of forwards could be selected from the material available. There is a whisper in the north that George Nepia is almost certain to be included in the 1935 All Blacks. Similarly it has been confidently stated that Frank Kilby and M. Corner will be the two half-backs for England. From all accounts T. Metcalfe played good football in the trial at Christchurch on Saturday. He missed the nod of the selectors just the same. “S.M.” (Drummond) asks who were the selectors of the 1924 All Blacks. They were Messrs E. McKenzie (Wairarapa), who was chairman, A. Wilson (Wellington), W. A. Guy (Taranaki), N. A. McKenzie (Hawkes Bay), L. V. Carmine (Buller), A. J. Geddes (Southland), and H. E. Davis (Canterbury). Southland’s All Blacks in teams abroad other than Australian tours are as follows:—1905, J. -W. Stead (vicecaptain); 1924, A. (“Son") White and J. Richardson (vice-captain); 1928, W. E. Hazlett.

Not a little of the success of the Union team (Dunedin), has been due to the confident note that the coach, Mr W. F. Sutton, has helped to instil into the side. Mr Sutton was a successful coach in Invercargill, a former member of the Southland Rugby Union, capable referee, and one-time more than useful player, and his methods have met with success in the past. Union’s splendid progress has been a most happy feature of the present season. The Maroons are the oldest club in Dunedin, and all followers of the game are glad to see the senior fifteen now numbered among the best in the competition. To the loyal club supporters who have maintained their allegiance through the lean years, this must be especially gratifying.—Dunedin Star. Hawkes Bay showed in their game with Wairarapa on June 3 that the team which has been in the buildingup process for the past few seasons should prove a dangerous combination for any provincial side this season. There are one or two alterations which could be effected, and possibly these will be done in the near future.—Wellington writer. Simon, the Otago and South Island half, is well equipped with anything up to a standard say of poor All Black class, but he lacks in one of the greatest essentials of an All Black donkey man—the ability to size up a situation quickly and act at the same moment (says a N.Z. Sportsman contributor). Simon would probably serve a brilliant set of backs quite well, but once that brilliant set of backs met a team capable of meeting back move for back move, Simon would be stumped for ideas. That was the tenor of his play in the Dunedin trial, and also 'in the inter-island game last year. If Simon goes to Great Britain—and there is no saying that he won’t—a Bert Cooke and a Jack Steele will be absolutely necessary in the make-up of his associates. Have we two players of the calibre of the two mentioned in New Zealand to-day? A few critics are still amusing themselves with the delusion that George Nepia is playing as good Rugby as ever. But the wish can only be father to the thought (writes C. H. Jenkins in the New Zealand Referee). They’ very naively say that if he does not find a place in the team for England then he most certainly will go to Australia. Seeing is believing, and when the Maori full-back played in the interIsland match in Wellington in 1933, there was nothing about his game to arouse any enthusiasm whatever. His football was good, but in no way outstanding. Is it reasonable to suppose, therefore, that two years later he should be playing as well as ever? He has done nothing, except in isolated cases—he has not even participated in any matches of great importance for two seasons —to lend support to the claim that he is playing brilliant Rugby. Probably those responsible for this statement have not even seen him in action. The Maori, no doubt, is still capable of fine football, but when he participates in the more important trial matches and produces the "goods,” then it will be time to talk of a trip Home. He is said to have played dazzling football in the East Coast-Poverty Bay trial. Perhaps he did. But to repeat, seeing is believing. Actualities are all that are wanted.

Speaking generally of the trial game at Christchurch it must be admitted that it revealed that the South Island lacks penetrative inside backs,-onserves the Press. Even allowing for the dull play of Davidson behind the Probables' scrum the lack of precision in handling and initiative on attack shown by the five-eighths of both sides was most disappointing. It was equally disappointing to see that the New Zealand selectors made no effort at half-time to correct this weakness or to try to sort out the strongest combination. Because of this neglect of what appears to be one of the first duties of selectors, Gaffaney and Mortlock, playing behind a weak half-back, were not given a fair trial. That their chances of selection should be so prejudiced is most unfortunate, especially as it appears that the situation; could have been overcome by an alteration in the teams at half-time. In the same way C. Saxton, the emergency half-back from Otago, might have been given a chance. If it was not intended that he should have a trial then it was needless to bring him from Dunedin to sit in thfr old members’ stand for an afternoon. Any club half-back in Christchurch could have acted in that role equally well. If final trial matches in future are to be played on the same plan as that of Saturday then it might be less misleading to drop the word "trial” altogether. T. Trevathan, the Otago

five-eighths, and E. McKenzie (Ashburton), the hooker, who played most impressively in the Dunedin trial last month, were also compelled to cool their heels in the pavilion all the afternoon. When selectors are given discretion in these matters it should be used.

It is astonishing to hear the heated arguments that go on over the respective merits of Wellington half-backs (says the New Zealand Sportsman). There is no getting away from the fact that only Sadler and Tindill are considered at all by the “Man on the Street,” and much breath is spent over their abilities. Both lads represent class, and it is difficult to think of another in the whole country who makes himself as conspicuous for clever things as Tindill does. Sadler is not so brilliant because he keeps closer to his forwards, and he always reminds the writer of a fox terrier, after a rat. By keeping so close to his forwards, he manages to get the ball where other half-backs would fail. If Sadler had to wait till he got the ball from- a scrum he would wait a very long time. This is Sadler’s great virtue—the ability to help himself.

The trials, now fairly under way, bring back memories of previous matches, and the queer things that have been done in selecting men for the big tours. Lucky men have been chosen, whilst the subsequent form of rejects must have been blind. However, these things have happened in the past and will occur again (comments a Wellington writer). To this day much speculation has taken place how several players ever got picked for overseas. In many ways one can be forgiven for thinking that some sort of territorial representation was the paramount qualification. Names come to mind of many rejects who became absolute stars, but, of course, it is futile at this time to go over some of the foolish things of selectors. There is a tremendous element of luck where players are concerned, and selectors have been patted on the back for being far sighted, but the writer will bet anything that the respective selectors were amongst the last people to think that Fred Roberts, in 1905, and George Nepia, in 1924, would attain the dizzy heights they did in their respective tours. So much for the perspicacity of selectors. GALBRAITH SHIELD FIRST ROUND GAMES. With only another round of the Galbraith Shield games to be played, interest in the local senior competition is keener than ever. Three teams, Invercargill, Pirates and Old Boys, can be said to have more or less equal chances, and as the first round games showed these teams to be evenly matched the second round matches should produce some entertaining Rugby. The performances of each senior team are appended:— INVERCARGILL. v. Star, won 11—3. v. Old Boys, drawn 14—14. v. Pirates, won 17—10. v. Marist, won 16—4. Played 4, won 3, drawn 1; points for 58, against 31. PIRATES. v. Star, won 24—9. v. Marist, won 43—3. v. Invercargill, lost 10—17. v. Old Boys, won 24—0. Played 4, won 3, lost 1; points for 101, against 29. OLD BOYS. v. Marist, won 23—0. v. Invercargill, drawn 14—14. v. Star, won 14—6. v. Pirates, lost 0—24. Played 4, won 2, lost 1, drawn 1; points for 51, against 44. STAR. . 4 v. Invercargill, lost 3—ll. v. Pirates, lost 9—24. v. Old Boys, lost 6—14. v. Marist, drawn 9—9. Played 4, lost 3, drawn 1; points for 27, against 58. MARIST. v. Old Boys, lost 0—23. v. Pirates, lost 3—43. v. Star, drawn 9—9. v. Invercargill,riost 4—16. Played 4, lost 3, drawn 1; points for 16, against 91. Second Round Draw. The first games in the second round which commences next Saturday are as follows:— Invercargill v. Star. Old Boys v. Marist. Pirates a bye. THE CHRISTCHURCH TRIAL COMMENT ON THE PLAYERS. The New Zealand selectors, who all attended the match, were disappointed in their hope that the trial would bring forward anything brilliant in the way of inside backs, says the Christchurch Times. However, they must have been more than satisfied with the number of really first-class forwards on the ground. Nearly every one of the seventeen who took the field deserves a further trial, at least, and it will be most surprising if at least six or seven do not qualify for the trip to England. An eight picked from Saturday’s play would be hard to beat indeed. In several instances the forwards were of a type to benefit from experience, players to whom a tour would be of the greatest benefit, and who after five or six matches would acquire a polish to qualify them for a test side. Hart was at top form, and should be rated as one of the best two, if not the very best, wing-threequarters in New Zealand to-day. The try which he and Oliver scored between them early in the second spell was a splendid effort. In that interchange of passes Hart was twice thrown off his balance, yet he managed to send good transfers to Oliver, and recover like a flash to gather the centre’s return passes, and finally sprint over at the corner. His first try, after he handed off his opposite number and ran round the fullback was another All Black effort, and his third, awarded him by the referee after Holder had bumped him in a race for the ball, was a reward for sheer speed in backing up. Incidentally, Oliver was on the spot as well, and in a twenty yards dash showed himself as fast as Hart. Davidson had a hard afternoon’s work behind the Probables pack, and until the closing twenty minutes was not fast enough in getting the ball away. In that last period he speeded up apd gave his backs some fine chances. Simon was the better on the afternoon, but though he played a game at which it is hard to cavil, he did not impress as being quite up to All Black standard. It is likely that he will have a further trial, however, and a little more speed should make him a serious contender. He revels in hard work.

Mitchell, the Southland centre, was a dangerous man at times, scoring one try with a swerve that deceived Gilbert. However, he did not show the polish and sense of position that an All Black should, and on the day was outclassed by Oliver, whose deadly tackling kept him fairly quiet. Of the back-row forwards seen in action, McNeight was unlucky that an old injury was jarred again before half time. He was playing well. Seaton, who took his place, spent too much time looking for opportunities at the edge of the scrum for present-day requirements. The outstanding man was Met-

calfe, who led many hot rushes for the Probables, and is apparently as good as ever he was.

Summing un, it may be said that the South Island can contribute a splendid centre and an outstanding wing, a fullback who is always sound and often brilliant, two five-eighths who on tour would be reliable if not brilliant, and many strong, hardworking, fast, and altogether efficient forwards. Brilliance of Hart and Oliver. The brilliance among the backs was left to be produced' by the threequarter lines, comments the Christchurch Press. G. F. Hart and C. J. Oliver again demonstrated that they are the best three-quarters in the South Island—probably the best in New Zealand. Both of them must be certain selections of the tour. Hart is faster by yards to-day than when he first played in All Black Rugby and his swerve and speed off the mark are amazing. He scores tries from positions in which most three-quarters would consider themselves blocked. His three tries in this match were good efforts, while his defence was sound. Few who witnessed this match will ever forget some of his bursts of speed when covering up on defence, especially that when he came across the field to tackle Mitchell just as that player was diving for a try. Oliver made play from all positions and his brilliant anticipation? on both attack and defence was remarkable. As in the Dunedin trial he completely overshadowed N. Mitchell, of Southland, the opposing centre three-quarter. After years of unfortunate treatment it seems that Oliver’s true worth must be recognized and no player will have earned the trip to Great Britain more. Oliver’s play made at least seven tries for his team in this game. Several Promising Three-quarters.

Mitchell was disappointing as a general on attack, but he was ill served by the inside backs. When he had' a chance he showed that he is a clever individual back. He takes time to gather top speed but is really very fast. He scored a dazzling try when with a cleverly executed change of direction, he completely beat Gilbert, the fullback, and romped over under the goalposts. Mitchell would make a very fine wing-threequarter and is the type of back that would probably make good on a tour. He should be among those finally selected. Magnificent Forward Display. The match produced wonderful forward play. The only department in which play was not up to All Black standard was in line-outs. The scrum and loose play was outstanding. It was common to see the forwards combining in dribbling rushes of up to 40 yards and occasional short passing bursts and combination with the backs thrilled the crowd. The South Island has a surfeit of first-class front row forwards. J. Hore, Otago, and G. Adkins, South Canterbury, were the best in this match. Hore was ever the leader in the tight and his tight rucking play was some of the best seen on Lancaster - Park for years. Adkins was his partner in everything. This South Canterbury player is in great fettle this season and should be among the players in the final selection. Orman, of Buller, a specialist hooker, with a big reputation, played up to it. Hore secured slightly more of the ball, and as Hore is among the most experienced hookers New Zealand has produced that was no mean feat. Hattersley, of Canterbury, was in the thick of the fray doing the work which “allows the shiners to shine.” Both he and George, of Southland, must have caught the selectors’ eyes by their devotion to real hard scrumming. Deavoll H. Deavoll was the outstanding forward on the ground next to Hore. He was working hard in tight and loose Deavoll is the find of the year in the South Island and should be certain of a place in the touring side if worth is recognized. He is a magnificent goalkick. In this match he kicked four goals out of five attempts—two of them from the side-line to convert tries. The next best forwards apart from the front row men were J. Best, of Marlborough, apparently a find as a lock forward, G. Giddings, of South Canterbury, a side row man of All Black quality and one of the few good line-out forwards, and F. Vorrath, a good type of lock forward from Otago. R. King, West Coast, and the two Otago forwards, L. Niven and F. Green, should also be worthy of further trial. King received a hard knock early in the match, which appeared to affect his play. T. Metcalfe, of Southland, showed dash in the early stages, but was not in as good form as he has shown in previous years. C. Lovell, of Marlborough, is a promising forward, of whom more may be heard. W. McNeight, of the West Coast, left the field injured, and was replaced by R. Seaton, of South Canterbury. Seaton played a better game than Metcalfe. SOUTH FINALISTS COMMENT ON THE SELECTION. After the South Island trial at Christchurch the selectors announced the names of 19 players to proceed to Wellington for the final trials. Commenting on the selection the Christchurch Press says:— In certain respects the selection is most disappointing. The combing of the South Island appeared to be very thorough when the teams were selected for the final South Island trial match played in Christchurch on Saturday, but unfortunately the emergencies were not given a game at all, and no alterations were made in the composition of the rearguard of either side during the match in an effort to give all players a fair trial. G. Gaffaney (South Canterbury) and K. S. Mortlock (Canterbury), first and second five-eighths respectively, have been exceptionally badly served by the trial series. In Dunedin they had to play with L. Brown (Canterbury) as halfback, and they were starved of chances. Again on Saturday they had to play with a half-back who was not up to standard. Mortlock should have been in the final trials if justice was done. Gaffaney has been under a cloud because of ill health recently, but his quality is known to the selectors. Nolan Better Than Gilbert.

The selection of Gilbert as full-back in preference to G. T. Nolan of Canterbury is difficult to understand. Nolan has not been faulted in trial matches except in Dunedin, where his handling was a little uncertain. On Saturday he played magnificiently behind a losing team. He is a better full-back than Gilbert on form this season, and there are ample indications that if he was given further trial he would improve further. On his play he was entitled to that trial. The selection of E. Holder, of Buller, was not justified, unless there is such a scarcity of wingthreequarters in the North Island that South Island players of average quality are required to fill places in the final trials. Saturday’s match was the first this season in which Morrison, of South Canterbury, has been given a share of the ball on attack, and he showed a fair turn of speed and plenty of determination. Mitchell, while not being comparable with Oliver as a centre, is a splendid type of threequarter, and it appears that he could make good on the wing. It is gratifying to see that he is selected again. Busch, of Nelson, is very unlucky. He had one run only on Saturday, and then he dazzled the defence; yet he has been dropped. The decision does not appear to be logical, taking into account the play of the wings, who were well served with the ball.

Lucky and Unlucky Forwards.

One of the best front-row forwards of the season, E. McKenzie, of Ashburton, who was outstanding in Southern trials, was emergency for Saturday’s match without being given a chance and has now been omitted altogether. He may be numbered among the unlucky. Green, of Otago, is exceptionally lucky, on the other hand. He was not played in the trial in Dunedin, and Saturday was his first appearance. Niven, of Otago, is another forward who, while hard-working, is not up to the best All Black standard. The competition for positions in the front row of the scrum is unusually strong. Hore, Adkins and Hattersley appeal most. Hattersley is a distinct possibility for final selection. Adkins is improving with every match. Hore must be a certainty for the tour. ALL BLACK TEAMS PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION. In view of the interest being shown in the selection of the 1935 All Blacks team for England, to be announced tonight, the following comparative table, giving the provincial representation in past. All Black teams, is worth noting:

LAWS OF RUGBY ' RECENT ALTERATIONS. ——■ 0 The following changes in the laws of Rugby football have been made by the International Board since the close of last season, and are set out for the information of unions, clubs, and players. HOOKING IN THE SCRUMMAGE. BALL FAIRLY IN:—The ball is fairly in when it has been put in straight, has touched the ground, and has passed ONE FOOT OF A PLAYER ON BOTH SIDES. LIFTING THE FEET:—No foot of the first three feet of the front row forwards of each team on the side on which the ball is being put in shall be raised or advanced UNTIL THE BALL HAS PASSED THAT FOOT. In effect this will mean that when the ball has passed one foot of the feet of a player on both sides and has touched the ground, it is fairly in the scrummage, the first and fourth feet of each team can be used to hook the ball. But the second and third feet must not be raised or advanced. When the ball has passed two feet of a player of each team, the first, second, and fourth feet of each side can be used. But the third foot must remain on the ground. When the ball has passed three feet of each team any foot or feet can be used. The quickest and most efficient method will be found to be by using the first and fourth feet as soon as the ball has passed one foot of a player of each team and has touched the ground. KICK-OFF. After a penalty goal, a goal from a mark, a dropped goal or a converted try: As before, play is restarted by a PLACE KICK from the centre of the field. After an Unconverted Try: Play is restarted by a DROP KICK from the centre of the field. CHARGlNG:—Opposing players must still stand, not less than 10 yards away until the ball has been kicked. But as soon as the kick has been made they may charge, and may prevent the ball reaching the 10 yards line without penalty. If the ball is played by one of the kicker’s side before it reaches the 10 yards line, the scrummage is ordered as before. FREE KICK AND PENALTY KICK. If the kick is taken from behind the goal line the ball must cross that line, unless played by an opponent; otherwise the kick must be retaken. INJURED PLAYERS. Returning to the Field: Players who have been compelled to leave the field, through injuries, may npt come back and take part in the game again until they get permission of the referee. DUNEDIN COMPETITION POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table shows the relative position of the teams engaged in the Dunedin senior grade competition: Pts. Pts Flag

• 1905 1924 1928 Auckland 7 3 5 Taranaki 6 3 1 Wellington. 3 3 4 Wanganui 1 0 0 Canterbury 4 6 8 Otago 4 1 2 West Coast 1 1 0 Southland 1 2 1 Bay of Plenty 0 1 0 Hawkes Bay 0 6 4 South Canterbury 0 1 2 Wairarapa 0 2 1 Nelson 0 0 . 1 Totals 27 29 29

Team P. W. L. D. for. agt. Pts. Southern 7 7 0 0 156 14 14 University A 7 7 0 0 94 30 14 Pirates .... 7 4 2 1 101 54 9 Union .... 7 4 3 0 53 59 8 Kaikorai .... 7 3 3 1 83 86 7 Taieri .... .... 7 2 3 2 61 60 6 Dunedin .... 7 3 4 0 51 82 6 Zingari .... 7 2 5 0 52 85 4 Alhambra 7 1 6 0 74 119 2 University B 7 0 7 0 32 168 0