GOOD STANDARD

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3928, 19 July 1937, Page 6

GOOD STANDARD

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY. MR. H. H. STERLING LOOKS ON. In the policy being adopted by the Rugby selectors in Australia, Mr. H. H. Sterling, a former member of the Wellington and New Zealand Rugby Football Unions, sees much that should be to the advantage of the game in the coming years, not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand. On his recent visit to Australia Mr. Sterling saw a good deal of football, including inter-State matches which served as trials for the selection of the teams to meet the Springboks, and many interesting points about play and players were made by him in the course of an interview in Wellington. The present, important as it was on account of the Springboks’ visit, was not Australia’s only concern. Mr. Sterling felt that Rugby in Australia was still up to standard, and that there was reason to look forward to good games not only with the Springboks, but also, in the following years, with New Zealand teams. The visitor had observed quite a number of promising young men, playing good football, and they would be ready to take the places of those whose playing days were numbered. The selectors were adopting the policy of having a solid basis of experience, while, at the same time, on the look-out for young and promising players. Penalties Too Numerous. Mr. Sterling said that he found the club football to be of a very good standard—well up to that which one was accustomed to seeing in New Zealand. He was struck, however, by the number of illegalities that were perpetrated and, in consequence, the number of penalty kicks was out of all proportion—far more than might be expected in a game. In the two matches which he had seen between the Queensland and New South Wales representatives there was not a great deal of combination, but there was some very fine individual play. The Queensland forwards were rather too sturdy, and this had a somewhat disorganising effect upon the New South Wales back play. The second of the two matches was more of a test than the first, and, although scoring three tries to one, Queensland lost the match. The giving away of penalties allowed Towers’ goal-kicking boot to come into play. Hodgson Brilliant. Mr. Sterling was greatly impressed with Hodgson, whose play was as good as he had seen anywhere on a football field. “There is no doubt he is a ‘crackerjack,’ ” remarked the former New Zealand Rugby administrator. “His line-out play is simply marvellous. I was amazed at his speed, and his determination commands one’s admiration. I saw him take some very severe bumps; there was one tackle which would have put most men out, but Hodgson was up on his feet straight away and never looked round.” Another forward who impressed the New Zealand visitor was Birmingham, of Queensland. Some of the Backs. McShane (half) was playing excellently and coupling up splendidly with Richards, who seemed to be right at the top of his form “Australia is definitely in a quandary about the inside centre position,” said Mr. Sterling, “and is doing some experimenting. The outside centre job offers no trouble as Towers is well up to form.” With one wing three-quarter the situation was easy, Kelaher being the right player in the right place, but the question of best filling the other wing position was more difficult. In the first game New South Wales had J. Gray-Spence, but for the second game he was dropped and a trial given to Gilleland, who really plays at centre in club football. Gilleland was not favoured with much opportunity in the inter-State match. “I went out to see St. George play in order to get another line on Gray-Spence,” Mr. Sterling added, “and I came’ to the conclusion that he was not up to the standard required to combat the Springboks.” The full-back position was a little difficult. New South Wales had Clifford, but he was put out by an injury. Queensland had unearthed a full-back named Walker, and he was a real treat. He could take the ball in any position, and his kicking was accurate, powerful, and well judged. He was extremely fast, but was inclined to run rather much for a full-back doing a first-class job. However, he got away with it pretty well, and rapidly became the idol of the crowd. “There is no doubt good football in him, and,” Mr. Sterling remarked, “I think more will be heard of him as the days go on.”