MANAWHENUA BEATEN “FORE AND AFT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 8

MANAWHENUA BEATEN “FORE AND AFT”

THE GAME REVIEWED (Special to THE SUN.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Wed. For the first time in the history of Canterbury Rugby, its representative team has won the Ranfurly Shield, and the victory over Manawhenua by 17 points to 6 was one of superior science over what really amounted to brute force. Canterbury to-day triumphed fore and aft, and the score should reiilly have been in the region of 30 points to 6, for Canterbury missed several chances through over-eager-ness with its kick and rush tactics. The shield holders played good football, according to their lights, but on the good ground Canterbury had no difficulty in gaining a victory. The whole of the Southern team was improved bjr 50 per cent, from the standard shown in the match against Hawke’s Bay on Saturday last. The improvement in the forwards was wonderful, and the main strength of Manawhenua was more than curbed —it was conquered. CANTERBURY PACK’S TRIUMPH Mainly to the sterling display of its forwards does Canterbury owe its victory. Manawhenua played hard, bustling football, but there was not much science about its display. To the surprise of the spectators, the Canterbury pack not only held the Manawhenua pack in the tight, but beat it, and this was due to the forwards restraining their old tendency to break away as soon as the ball was hooked. One try was scored by the forwards hanging on and pushing when Manawhenua had hooked the ball. Some of the tight struggles were terrific and the pace in the open was furious. Although there was speed and vim in the play, there was not as much of the spectacular element as could have been expected—the tackling on both sides was too good for that.

The best of the Canterbury forwards, as in the Hawke s Bay match, was J. T. Burrows. He played a game in the tight and loose alike and was up to All Black standard. He hooked well with F. Clark and burst through the tight stuff to make a break for the open in brilliant style. As a pack leader “So 4” [White is unexcelled, and

he set liis forwards a fine example which had experience as its keynote. G. T. Alley played a fine game, as did the others.

The Manawbenuu forwards were very fit ana all hoed into things nonestiy. The outstanding man was Tremewan, who went solidly from start to finish. G. fieatley also played a line game, distinguishing nimseir in breaking away from the scrum, lie saved ivianawnenua several times on defence. up to the time of his retirement through injury, o. Gaipin went well, and snone in several movements. The otrier members of tne puck were of a very even standard of excellence. As wingiorward, ri. Jacobs, who has a big reputation in that position, was a disappointment, and his opponent, G. scrimshaw, naa the better of the exchanges with him. Jacobs was lucky to get away with some of the off-side play that ne indulges in. Although they were Handicapped by the lacc mat li. Giiburne, second liveeighth, was suffering from an injured knee and could not uo his fuii share ol things on attach, tne Canterbury backs went well ana shone beside the wretched Manuwhenuu rearguard, like the Jtvohmaor Piamona oesiac a lump of piategiass, uaiiey and McGregor were rig at on form, and easily circumvented Jacobs by lVicGregor standing wide. iJahey was as game as a pebble on defence, and on attack he used every trick in me bag, from me dummy downwards. He worked the blind judiciously. McGregor made some rlasmng runs ana eitner by kicking or running he could be trusted to make ground, fci. if. Carieton, at centre, played a game that was his best this season, ilo was brilliant at ail times, both on i defence ana attack, and tackled like a demon. ROBILLIARD BRILLIANT Kobilliard and Steel did all that could have been expected of them, and ifobilliard made more use of tne 111pass tnan against fiawKes Gay. fie made some great runs. Steel at times appeared to take things too easily. As tun back, not one word of complaint can be levelled against J. Harris. He kicked and tackled well, and his following up of his kicks was excellent. The lVianawiienua backs are not equal as a whole to a good ciub combination. There is no cohesion among mem. The best back on the day was ivi. Williamson, tne young fullback. He played a really fine game all through. \V. f'arata, the half, impressed, and it was unfortunate tuat ne nad not better support. T». Brophy, winger, is stated to be tfie best back in tne Manawhenua team. On fiis display, his mam asset appears to be speed. His game was fair only. SHIELD HOLDERS The following have been the holders of the Kanluny snield since its inception: —19U2-04, Auckiand; 1904-U5, Wellington; ±905-13, Auckland; 191314, Taranaki; 1914-20, Wellington, 1920-21, Southland; 1921-22, Wellington; 1922-27, Hawke’s Gay; 1927-23, , Canterbury. Canterbury has two more representative fixtures to fulfil. It meets Wellington, at Wellington, next Saturday, and Otago, at Christchurch, on Saturday, September 17. As neither of these contests can be made challenge matches Canterbury will -hold the trophy for the season.