RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 50, 21 August 1915, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE twenty-seventh representative match between the chosen of Wellington and Auckland footballers took place at Eden Park last Saturday, when a win went to the credit of the Empire City's team by 9 points to 5. The worst of weather conditions prevailed, for the wind was hard from the north-east, accompanied by rain. The playing area quickly became very slippery and treacherous, and with the ball sodden and heavy, the players were severely tested. There is no match in which the public of Auckland take so much interest, and, under normal conditions, the attendance of spectators runs into five figures. Despite the critical period through which we are passing, the attendance of about four thousand! spectators (the biggest of the season) can be considered very satisfactory. While the game did not provide the high standard of play witnessed in some of the previous great battles between, the provinces fought under similar weather conditions, the play was of an interesting character. Winning the toss, the Wellington skipper elected to defend the eastern goal, which ff,ave his fresh team the advantage of the wind and rain at their backs. Then the ball was dry, andl, making full use of these advantages, the players from down under took the steam out of the locals who for the greater portion of the spell were on the defensive. The first spell ended with the visitors leading by 9 points to nil, the only score they were destined to register, yet sufficient to make their mission a successful one. Local supportei-s did not view with alarm Wellington's lead, for it was considered the blue and whites would play the game to suit the conditions. They did not. Although meeting a very stubborn defence from the blacks' back division, the locals resorted too much to the use of the side-line. The local backs also tried to handle the greasy ball, with the result that Wellington's forwards qiiicky smothered them. The best team won, although a victory could easily have gone the other way. Auckland had plenty of chances, but failed to accept. Perhaps the worst piece of bungling was in the closing stages of the game. The local forwards were sweeping all before them, and when only about four yards off the line Campbell attempted! to pick up the ball, with the result he knocked on, and a certain score was lost. The weather was in no way a factor to Wellington's success, and it is only regrettable the visitors were not seen on, a dry ground. Their backs are a fast, nippy set, very aggressive, yet possessing fine defensive qualities. They handled.' the leather better in every way than the locals. Capper, full-back, left little to be desired. A very cool customer who took the ball we'll, and found the line with good kicks. Madden is a player we have heard good reports about, and it was particularly unfortunate he met with an accident that compelled 1 his retirement. During his brief reign he gave pleasing signs of a speedy threequarter. The best back on the ground was Algar, the Wellington five-eighths. of pace, he would race along at top and gather up the ball. Then, with a clever swerving run, would thread his Avay through, making a fine opening.

While Blackmore was not so brilliant as Algar, he was of the very sound order. Half-back Nicholls, still in his teens, is one of the most promising oif players. In the future he should l»e heard of. Exceptionally nippy, he got the ball away well and opened the game. Gilchrist is a fine type of wingforward, heavy, fast and very clever. The forwards were a very even lot, led by "Rangi" Wilson, who put in a lot of very heady play. The "skipper" seems as dashing as ever, and made no mistakes with his try. The Auckland full-back has often been seen to greater advantage. He did not shine too promisingly when under pressure ,and fumbled' often. His kicking, however, was both powerful and well directed. Tbe Auckland skipper, D. Stewart, worked hard for success. His handling of the ball was faulty, but he made amends with heady play.

Clark was again sound, but very few opportunities went Barker's way. Prussing, at five-eigfaths, proved the best of Auckland's backs. He fielded the ball in a very certain way, and was unfortunate in not registering a try. King worked well during his brief stay, but Barclay, who replaced him, was an improvement. The Cityite's efforts led to Auckland's only score. His display was a marked improve : ment over that of the Taranaki match. Half-back Lang came in for a .gruelling from the Wellington forwards. He was inclinedl at times to be too selfish, while a fatal mistake was made in the second spell in endeavouring to put the ball to the backs. It was play that worked right into the opposition's hands. 0. Stewart, wing forward, while over-matched by the Wellingtonian Gilchrist, proved fast and dangerous in the onen. Had the other forwards offered him proper support the score sheet would have read' differently.

Apart from the two honest graftore, G .Sellars and! Casey, the remainder of the vanguard were inclined to wait to come with a great dash in the open. Too ofiter the locals were penalised for off-side play. Hanlan,, who made his first appearance as a rap., showed fine dash when he scored.