OPPONENTS FOR ROSE,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17834, 30 April 1926, Page 11

OPPONENTS FOR ROSE,

BOTH Ellis and Macdonald are capable of showing very big performances, and Ellis, in particular, impresses me as just the runner to register a 4min 15sec mile before long (says A. B. George, in “ All Sports ” in referring to the capability of the leading English milers who will he opponents of R. A. Rose shortly). Nurmis are not always going to appear, and I would as soon take Ellis as the prospective 1500 metres winner at the 1928 Olympic Games as any man I can think of. One must not forget H. B. Stallard, D. G. A. Lowe, R. S. Starr, and W. Macalpine Downie. Stallard does not like mile running, and Lowe also appears more in love with the half, yet Lowe has shown-—when in America last spring—that he is a milcr of great merit. That trip also revealed the possibilities of Starr, and I am quite prepared to see him beat 4 min 20 sec in 1926. Nowadays a miler must have speed to hold his own at the Olympic Games, and on that account I should like to see A. G. Marshall carefully prepared for a mile.

When newspaper interviewers rushed the Australian cricketers on their arrival in London, both Macartney and Gregory said: “See Mr Smith.” Sydney Smith has tact, patience, decision and business ability, all made clearly evident on earlier tours. He is. in fact, the world’s best-known cricket team manager, an authority on “gates,” and a good fellow to boot. A message to the “Star” the other day said that after Scotland's defeat of the English Rugby team Scotsmen painted London red:— Fcots who hae, wha haw, wlia haggis— Scotland now upon a jag is— Painting London red. Their brag is Justified to-day. Scots wham Bruce hae licked the English 'Rugby team; their joy is fiendish! Hech! They sup nae muckle meandish! “Parritch" wins! Hoo-ray! D.C. Karl Ifwersen, who has been appointed one of the Rugby Union selectors for Auckland this year, has had a varied career as a footballer. A graduate from the Grammar School, he made a brilliant debut in the Auckland reps, in 1912, when a flash of heady brilliancy which later became inseparably associated with his play saved the Ranfurly Shield for Auckland from a determined challenge by Wellington. He then drifted into the League ranks, and for a number of years he was the outstanding player for New Zealand in that code. After the war he stood down for a couple of seasons, and then returned to Rugby, retaining his old form so well that he got his New Zealand cap against the Springboks in 1921. From that time up to 1924 he retained his place in the Auckland team, to which his generalship was a great asset. # Don’t forget what Canterbury footballers said in the “Star” the other day about training:— N. P. M’Gregor: “Get out into the fresh air of the mornings l , and go for a long walk.” S. F. Wilson: “Eat plenty of good, plain food, and don't be frightened oi it. Do plenty of walking, and a little sprinting.” Brian M’Cleary: “Cut out the soppy stuff; eat real decent food. . . . You’ve got to use your head before the game.” O. Turpin: “Cut. out the smokes, and the potatoes, too.” C. S. M’Cully: “Cut out the drink, and forget the smokes.”. They are great Rugby League enthusiasts on the West Coast and Neil Mouat, who played in the New Zealand team last year, is a good example. He lives in Barrytown, 17 miles from Greymouth, where he is a member of the Marist Bros. Club. To play matches on two occasions recently, Neil started the season of fitness in a praiseworthy manner. Instead of following the road, which would mean a motor-car ride of 40 miles, he decided to take “a short cut.” He walked over the Paparoa Ranges—about 24 miles—and after the game on each occasion he returned by the same route. i While at the Exhibition the other ( night, "Fullback” of the Otago Daily j Times” had the pleasure of meeting two footballers in “Morry” Wood (Napier) and F. C. Fryer (Canterbury), both All Blacks. Of course, conversation turned at once to the famous match between Otago and Wellington at the Caledonian Ground in 1901, when the northerners won right on the ; call of time by 10 points to 9 points. It is an oft-told story how the late Jimmy Adam, the Otago full-back, failed to hold a high kick and lost sight of the ball, and Slattery, the Wellington left wing, streaked down the line and scored. Otago were still iu front, 9 points to 8 points, but Wood I kicked a goal, and Wellington gained a sensational victory. Fryer is now living at Hamilton, where he has been stationed for some years. “ Stole Their Dinner.” The high-light of the Athletic v ’Varsity match ip Wellington on Saturday came when the students, straining every nerve, pressed hard to break through at the quarter mark. AH 'Varsity eyes were on the Athletic goalline, and not one of them thought of defence. All of a sudden, M’Dougall, the Blue and Black centre three-quar-ter, intercepted, and before any of the students knew exactly what had happened the flying Scotchman was speeding hotfoot for the distant goal. Where now were the ’Varsity greyhounds? The only one who could get anywhere near the flying centre was Leys, the ’Varsity half-back. The crowd stood in their seats to watch the race. M’Dougall, weighted with the ball, kept his head well, and twice as Leys grabbed for his jersey the exDunedin man evaded the out-stretch-ed hand with a little wriggle and sidestep. He crossed the line, triumphantly after a highly exciting race of fully 70 wards. This counter-attack should teach 'Varsity that it is unwise for the whole team to press forward on attack. Always leave a guard at the. base when you launch an attack, (says the. “Dominion”.! If you do not the enemy may raid you and steal your dinner. M’Dougall certainly caught the students napping on Saturday.