RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23840, 10 June 1939, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACKS TOUR IN 1940 SOUTH AFRICAN UNION TO BE ASKED FOR ITINERARY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. The New Zealand Rugby Council decided today to ask the South African Rugby Union to frame an itinerary for the All Blacks tour in 1940 on the same lines for the opening games as for the British team last year. This would provide for games on the east coast following the arrival of the team at Durban. Mr A. A. Adams was anpointed convener of the South Island selection committee and to arrange for the attendance of selectors at matches on the same principle as already adopted by the North Island selectors. On the recommendation of Dr G. J. Adams, it was decided that it be a direction to all unions that injured players returning to the field, or players replacing those injured must report to the referee. Dr Adams said the object was to avoid confusion. He cited a Wanganui case where an injured player returned to the field, being unaware that he had been replaced. The referee had also not noticed that the injured man had been replaced. FIJIAN TEAM’S TOUR CANCELLED THREE ALTERNATIVES FOR UNIONS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. Action cancelling the Fijian Rugby team’s tour of New Zealand this season was confirmed at a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Council. Steps were taken to have the tour replaced by attractions for unions which were to have had matches with the Fijian team, Mr G. A. Maddison moving in that direction. Alternative suggestions were made to the executive, these being: (a) That a Maori (New Zealand representative) team undertake as far as possible the itinerary arranged for the Fijian team; (b) that a minor unions country team undertake the tour; and (c) that the Maori team carry out portion of the tour and the minor unions team the other portion. The alternatives were offered without preference. Various matters affecting country and Maori football were discussed at length, and also under notice was a comprehensive report on the survey of country football in the Hawke’s Bay district. It was considered that the report was an excellent example to other unions whose country football is to be fully investigated. SCRUM FORMATION METHODS N.Z. UNION URGED TO GIVE A LEAD (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. -Scrum formation was again discussed by the New Zealand Rugby Union and eventually it was decided that, in view of the fact that the 3-4-1 formation is to be observed by the team to tour South Africa, the unions be advised to adopt that formation. Later in the meeting, Mr J. H. Parker said they should give a further lead in heeling and packing the 3-4-1 scrum. The variety of methods at present in vogue in New Zealand would not help players when it came to the trials. Some clubs heeled down the centre, with the locks keeping their feet wide apart; others adopted the Springbok method of heeling down the side channel, between the lock and side-row forward, in which the lock took up a different stance. It was difficult for a player to alter the style he had practised all the season, but a variety of methods would obviously lead to troubles in the trials. He urged the council to give a lead so as to provide uniformity, as well as giving the best results. Mr A. McDonald said there was little doubt that in 1937 there was no clear understanding of the most efficient methods of heeling from the 3-4-1 scrum. In his opinion, heeling down the side channel, between the lock and side-row forward, was the most effective. The delegates agreed with the suggestion by Mr Parker to secure an opinion from noted coaches. WESTERN DISTRICT TOURNAMENT ANNUAL SEVEN-A-SIDE GAMES TODAY The annual tournament of the Western District Rugby football subunion will be held today at. Tuatapere. The entries in both the senior and the junior sections are very satisfactory, and it is anticipated that the tournament will be one of the most successful yet held. The Riverton club will be represented by teams picked from the following players: Senior.—R. H. Ward, L. Watkinson, Thomson, G. Bulman, J. W. Fraser, A. McKenzie, V. Watkinson. Junior.—Domigan, Eade, Martin, Anderson, Wadsworth, Saunders, Stalker, Ronald.