League Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1061, 27 August 1930, Page 13

League Rugby

The “Kiwis” In Action Although the display of the “Kiwis” fell a little below expectation on Saturday, the game was spectacular enough to watch, and the big crowd which attended in the face of a strong counter-attraction, was well rewarded b> a bright game. The team certain];' did rot give the impression that it had learned a great deal by Us Australian tour, but perhaps it was the anti-climax of the match for the players that prevented them rising to any great heights of brilliance. * * * Net Like the 1925 Team Certainly, the All Blacks did not display that combination and finesse which enabled tlie returned 1925 team to score a big victory over Auckland. The 1925 men showed what, to New Zealanders, was amazing form. If the present players have learned a great deal by the 13-match tour they have yet to show it. No doubt the result will be felt in club and later, interprovincial football. Individual Brilliance The feature of the match was the brilliant individualism of Abbott, the South Auckland half. He scored four tries, and although two of them were "made” for him by other players, there is no denying that his fourth and last was one of the gems of the season at Carlaw Park. Doubt was expressed at the time the team was selected, and after Saturday’s game it still persists, as to whether Abbot is a really great half at the fundamentals of the halfback’s task—namely, whipping the ball out to the backs. This, however, does not detract from his great display against Auckland. “Position and Possession” This expression is said to be the secret of the astounding success of Australian players against the New Zealanders. It has been said that the Kiwis on Saturday, adopted this to a noticable extent. But it is to be doubted if this was actually the case. There were many times in which there was just as much kicking by All Blacks as by Blues. They certainly made an attempt to keep possession on occasions, but this went to even humorous lengths. Twice Titleton and Wateno actually lost ground and were in the end bottled up when they should have released the ball. Segar’s Improvement A. W. (Lar) Seagar, of Devonport, certainly showed much improved form on Saturday. He was one of the most fortunate of players to be in the touring party. His selection was made at the last minute, and much doubt was expressed as to whether he was worth a place. But as often happens in such cases, he turned up trumps, and played regularly, and with distinct success, toward the end of the tour. Needs Watching in Future The general turn-out of the New Zealanders on Saturday was not satisfactory. In addition to several playing in jerseys of different numbers from those given on the programme, some of the jerseys themselves showed distinct signs of the arduous tour of Australia. In these matters, those responsible should remember that the League code has adopted a jersey which was first made famous by the Rugby Union All Blacks of 1905. and that there is a standard to be maintained. A Noticeable Contrast There were many hardened Rugby fans at the game on Saturday—some seeing the first League game of their lives —and for the benefit of them as well as the ordinary follower, the jersey numbers should correspond on the field and programme. In addition, any national team of any sport is worthy of the best and should at least take the field in immaculate garb. In marked contrast to the Kiwi turnout, was the fine trim displayed by the Auckland men. * * * What Might Have Been There were occasions on Saturday when it looked possible for Auckland to have beaten the Kiwis. The chances of the locals were given a big knock back when Riley had to go off, but even worse was to follow when Brady had to be carried off. Had Delgrosso been playing, and at first five-eighth, with Riley and Brady outside him, things might have been really interesting. The lighter and fleeter Auckland backs had the New Zealanders well beaten in the early stages of the game. Both Riley and Brady flashed through the lumbering defence on more than one occasion. * * * Definitely Superior It must be conceded, however, that the Kiwis had the game well in hand for most of the time, and in the first part of the second spell they piled up points so quickly that it looked as though the margin between the teams would have been a much greater one than was the case. Stephenson got the bigger share of the hall from the scrums, and the All Black backs showed good combination. Len Barchard played one of the liveliest games for the national forwards. He had hard luck in Aussie, but is apparently in the pink once again. Tom Gorman's Benefit The Kangaroos v. The Rest Rugby League game at Davies Park, Brisbane, recently, as a testimonial to Torn Gorman, drew an attendance of about 3,000. Additional subscriptions should result in the Kangaroos' captain netting a (J’J’pQbe of something approaching The Roos finished winners bv 41 points to 30 <ll tries 4 goals to 6'tries 6 goals), after leading 17-10 at halftime. Kelson Hardy led the Rest. Gorman, one of the stars of the game in Australia, was over in New Zealand at the end of the 1925 season with the Queensland side. He has now retired from the game.

Po nsonby v. Devonport -The match which may definitely See the end of the championship competition will be played at Carlaw Bark on Saturday. Ponsonby, with a lead of four points, will play Devonport, which is second on the list level with City. If Ponsonby wins, it will have the championship home and dry, and it may be that the last matches of the round will be cancelled if that happens. Devonport’s Chances Always a strong team, Devonport will be more so on Saturday, as Lar Seagar will be back. On his showing last Saturday he should mean a lot to the Shore men. Ponsonby’s star, Riley, was injured last Saturday, but he is well again, and will be on 'deck for the vital match. Tomorrow’s Conference The first of what will probably be a series of momentous conferences in the Rugby League world of Auckland and New Zealand will be held tomorrow evening, when the chosen representatives of the council of the New Zealand Rugby League and the Management Committee of the* Auckland Rugby League will discuss ways and meo ns of raising the standard of the game by

Notes and Comment.

reducing the number of teams in tho senior comps-[itiun and introducing the rescrvo senior grad».- system in prefer}cnco to tho >‘..iul‘ L‘ ,‘—.l'..k(l‘2. us at present, l i u" c What May Be More Difficult 'l‘ho s:l2ng :Ylu‘.l\ in >'.l":l :1 direct;- 1 which \w-rr- llll'l-j zit ill" hunting "f Hhv )l:ll\:::v'l.n1‘ l'onixzfi‘twc of thy it‘XUt'kiJlllti i.l“ h::\.": 111-: yet rrluStf! {prov-sis in :.::.' qu 'l'lex‘. In fact. tho ldclcgntcs >l' ny‘d to rrulllsv that it \vmlld Ln.- ;: nwd lirsiz‘ubl' mnVC. \Vbat will. )v(-rl_::yu<, Rm inm'v (litlit'ult, Whi in: ll'lv null-2v m nl‘ dovism: ways and mums to blue: x'm- rw-ummentlntirms Int-5 cfi“¢'t. 'l‘3 .. deliberations of UP: conlvrcnm- “Eli Em ;;\\':liu-d with in!(i~ est l-y oil lung—w.- followers. 0'? J. J. Eade has been anpointed offiClal League doctor for the . North Shore districts by the management committee of the Auckland Rugby League. New Chairman of C.R.L. 311‘. \V. lle:v.E(-:.. new chairman of the Canterbury 1:1:52'4' League, first played League linu'ny in Aucklmd. for the Eden senior toxin. in 1910, and then transferred to .\‘x:\vton Rangers. “9 rcprescnnnl .\li~’;{i£lnd in 191‘.’ and 1912:. At the f-nd w; li‘lf}. he came to Christ-chm-ch (says In.» "Sun”l. bUt his oer-1:» Dalinn kt‘pt him out or the gamu- I‘<-s----four or fiVr; Mums. Then hrl jninwl the Linwood film. and rcpresented Czenv tel-bury {rum lfll." until the end at ‘ms playing; run-m: He was a member «N the Cnnterburj: League- team which pluypd England :xt Lancaster Y'all. After his playing days were finished htonk up rein racing. and became secr‘-~ tary of the Canterbury Rugby Length Referees’ Association and delegate h. the League‘s t-XH-utive. He was~electml a life member of the Referees' Asso—ciation in recognition of his exceptional services in Yuri-ms, capacities. ‘ ‘POOR OLD DUI-TY” Writing in the Sydney “Daily Guardian,” J. Mothers replies to criticism of the Sydney Pros. by Mr. w. J. Taylor, team manager of the New Zealand Rugby League team. Mathers says:——"Mr. “I. J. Taylor. manager of the New Zealaml Rugby League team that recently toured Australia, has ex—pressed his resentment at the criticism of the team contained in the Sydney Press. He remarked that it afiected the finances of the tour. ' “Surely Mr. Taylor has added only further fuel to the fire. He cannot possibly be sincere if he thinks the Syd—ney Press would sing the praises of any team, visitors or otherwise, if that. team fell far below standard.. "If the Sydney Press expressed disappointment z-t New Zealand’s play. 311'. Taylor has only himself to blaxuc. for as a member of the New ZealandCouncjl hr.- allowed columns and col—umns of puff publicity to be sent to Australia, in which it was stated that the team was on: of the. youngest and best that had (ver represented the Dominion. ' “ ‘Those tall, dashing forwards’ subsequently turned out to be poor; old Dufty, whose years wore hurls enod with a surplus of flesh that prevented active movement. “ ‘The greatest fullback in the Southern Hetnisphore,’ also turned out to be poor old Dufty, Whose only virtue as a. footballer was the possession of an ex—cellent kick. “‘The nippiest halfback in Australasia.‘ xvas Abbot, who after _h‘l second game in Sydney would not have been chosen in any club team; T-ELLING THE TRUTH “Mr. Taylor should understand that. the Press does not exist for the financial benefit of any game, and any sporting writer who deliberately re~ trained from' criticising the quality ‘or football of any team. especially when it was so pulpably poor. on the grounds that the adverse criticism would affect the attendance. would be lacking in his duty. "Mr. Taylor complains that the criticism was not, constructive. Well. could anything plainer have been written when. shortly after the first game. everybody being satisfied that the New Zealundersicould not possibly attract a. decent crowd, the Sydney Press advised the visitors to revise their tour by cutting out certain games to enable the expenses to be kept within reasonable limits? “They were told definitely they would lose money. But they wont ’ to. Queensland ully convuncod of their superiority. for the publicly stated it. “Having returned to New Zealand. they now advance the humorous argument that their huge losses were, in the main. due to the criticism of the Sydney Press for daring to tell the Simple truth. Speaking at the reception home to the team on Tuesday week last. Mr. Taylor said:— "The Press of Sydney was most abusive. If it could not find anything constructive to say about us. it said something destructive. The stranding rumour' was only one of the things we had to put up with.” “The papers gave us a raw deal, and that is something the Press of New Zealand does not do. Goodness knows where we would get if our Press carried on like the Australian Press." The captain of the side. Mr C. E. Gregory. said that he could not say enough about the Press “over there." ”In one column they would say that their own team was the best in the world, and in the next. they would say that we were 'mugs' for not beating it." The financial manager of the team. Mr. A. Ferguson. also referred to the hostile criticism of the Australian Press. SOUTH AUCKLAND LEAGUE MONTHLY MEETING HELD From Our own Corrcspmidcnt TAUPIRL Today. The monthly met-ting of the South Auckland Rugby League was held on Monday evening in the Tauplri Hall. Mr. \V. Taylor. of Hamilton. occupying the chair. A letter was received from the Llarist Old Boys asking for a. game with a. third grade open team. The matter was referred to the Ngaruawahia. Club. asking it: to accommodate the team. the game to be played. it agreeable to Ngaruawahia. on September 13. The following players. were regraded from the Huntly Club: F. Knapper. C. Northmore. A. Gibson. 'l‘. Stephenson. G. Smith. and X. Hines: and from the Kin. Oru Club. N. Taobo. and G. Haunui. The junior matches. Ramblers v. Taupiri. and Xgammwzlhia B v. Pirates. were declared \‘Uld. and the games are to be played again. The South :‘ULiCLInd League intends holding a. social function in the Huntlv .Town Hull on Schtcmber 9. the 1111113059 jbeing to “We-140111» home the local lplayors “hn \isited Australia recently {with the New Zmluud rcpresentatwel.