GREAT RUGBY MEN OF BYGONE YEARS SHINE IN MEMORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17865, 5 June 1926, Page 11

GREAT RUGBY MEN OF BYGONE YEARS SHINE IN MEMORY.

TRADITIONS MADE BY PLAYERS OF YESTERDAY.

“Banker,” writing in the Dunedin “Star,” recalls for the present generation many of the old traditions connected with New Zealand's national game, the glory of Rugby and the brilliance of the great stars that shone in days gone by. Although his work deals with Otago players who have won New Zealand and South Island honours, there is much of his story that deals with. Canterbury.

One of the most popular figures on the football field in the nineties, was “ Barney ” Armit, a member of the Kaikorai Football Club, who unfortunately received an injury in thfe match Otago, v. Taranaki in 1899, from which he succumbed. He was undoubtedly one of the finest wing three-quarters the Dominion has produced. Of short, nuggety build, he was a strong runner, took the ball well,* and was a'very hard man to stop. He was also a fine kick and a sure tackier; in fact, he had all the qualifications of a wing three-quar-ter. He was the idol of the Dunedin public, anrl most popular on -and off the field. He first represented Otago in 1893, and the fatal match in 1899 was his nineteenth representative match. He also represented the South Island against the North Island in 1897. and toured New South Wales with the third New Zealand team in 1897. His knack of hipping a man who attempted to collar him was what made “ Barney "* so hard to collar, writes “ Banker.” Playing against Canterbury, “Barney” was making for the'Canterbury goal line, and Joe O’Brien, the Canterbury centre, made a dive at “Barney” as he flew past. Joe bounced off “ Barney ” like a rubber ball, and when he landed looked round in a dazed way to sec “ Barney ” scoring a try. • What a great side the Kaikorai had at this time? They did not have their line crossed for many years. Percy Priest, of the Pirates, broke the spell by scoring a try for Pirates against them. He was quite a hero for this feat. One .of the finest five-eighths that have been was Jimmy Duncan, the old Kaikorai and Otago skipper. Jimmy was originally a wing forward, and a mighty slick one also—very fast and swooping down' on the opposition like an eagle; but it was as a five-eighth he made his great reputation. When lie played his first game for the Kaikorai as five-eighths, he was told by the Press that his place was among the forwards; but Jimmy had made up his mind to-be a five-eighth, and he very soon upset 'all the cirtics, and proved himself to. be .the greatest general and finest five-eighth- seen- in the Dominion. Very fast off the mark (he always took his pass .going, at. top. speed), he would make for the second five-eighth opposing him ,and ju£t' as he was tackled would give a beautiful pass, and the opening was made. He was very clever at drawing the defence on to himself, and the players had such thorough understanding with one another in Jimmy’s time that at the crucial moment, though Jimmy would demand the ball in a commanding voice, the half would go on his own or would cut Jimmy out and pass to the second fiveeighth, and the opposition would be fooled and probably a try scored. “ Banker ” credits Jimmy in one representative match, against Canterbury with having said to his forwards: “ We will-.score three scrums from now.” Twice the ball was .passed to Duncan, and twice he ran into the ruck, and was collared with the ball. The third scrum was formed. A voice shouted: “Give the ball to me.” About three men grassed Jimmy, while the half slipped round the scrum and scored. Being such a fine player, he was naturally very closely watched, and few players have stood as rough knocks athe did. He was also an adept at driving players to the line, and it was quite a common occurrence to see him take three men one after another -by his driving tactics, and the opposition would find that they had not gained a yard of ground. He represented Otago in forty-eight matches; he toured New South Wales with New Zealand teams in 1897. 1903, captaining the New Zealand team in 1903. He also captained the 1901 New Zealand team against New. South Wale's, played at. Wellington, which New Zealand won by 20 points to 3. He captained the Otago team from 1895 to 1903. After retiring from the.game, he was a member of the Rugby Union for some years, was also one of tlie leading referees for some seasons, and still coaches the High He is always to be found amongst the visiting team during their stay in our city. He is one of those players that never grow old, and is still as keen as ever. Another great player was Pat Keogh, also of the Kaikorai club. Some critics maintain that the world has never seen a cleverer half. Pat first represented Otago in 1887, and the province on twelve occasions. He also went to England with the .New Zealand Native team in 1888-89. He was a “ bag of tricks,” a past master in giving the dummy, and one of the finest side-step-pers seen on the football field. You never knew what trick he would be up to next. He frequently wore a cap when playing. Whilst playing for the Maori team against England, Pat was sailing for the line, and was being backed up by one of his own team, and only the full-back to pass. As he came to the full-back Pat' snatched off his cap and threw it to the player backing up. The full-back dashed after the cap, and Pat went straight on and scored a try. Playing for Otago against Canterbury, Pat side-stepped the half-back, went sailing clown to the centre, and bounced the ball on his knee (which was permissible at this time) over the centre's head, caught the ball again, and set sail straight at the full-back, who made a dive at Pat’s ankles. As he dived Pat hurdled, and the full-back grasped at space. When he turned round, there was Pat sitting.on the ball behind the posts. On his return from his trip with the Maori team, Pat again played for Kaikorai. and in the first match against the old Montecillo club at Montecillo Kaikorai rushed the ball to the Montecillo’s line, where the ball went into touch. Being Kaikorai’s ball, Pat took it to throw in. Looking as if he was going to throw the ball well out, he suddenly bounced it on the head of the forward, marking him on the line, caught it on the rebound and dived over the line. This, of course, would not be permissible now. One of the finest hookers in New Zealand was Steve Casev, of the famed 1905 All Blacks. Steve played for the Southern (’'•lub, and is still a keen member, assisting in coaching the Black-and-Whites. Steve represented Obi go on fifty-seven occasions, and holds the record for playing in the largest number of representative matches. He was a player that had very little to say on the field of play, being too busy in keeping on the ball and playing the game, and many present-dav r players could benefit by imitating Steve. He had not time to play the mail unless he had the ball, and that was liis success. While play-

ers are playing the man they are not playing the game for their side. Steve toured Australia with the 1905 and 1907 New Zealand teams, and also represented New Zealand against the Anglo-Welsh. team in 1908, and the South Island against the North Island in 1904. 1905, 1906 and 1907. Bob Bennett, the popular centre for the Alhambra Football Club for many years, was another fine player. He started his football in the Star Club, one of the most brilliant teams we have seen in Dunedin. Bob first represented Otago in 1900, and his . last rep. match was in 1911. lie represented New Zealand against Australia in the match played , at Tahuna Park in 1905. and played lor the South Island against the North Island in 1904. Bob was a heady player, who made good openings for his wings, and all through his long career he never missed playing in a match throxigh injury. It is a pity Bob has not taken on refereeing; lie should have made a very good one. For many years the mainstay of the Southern Club was that sterling player Alf Eckhold. He was useful both at scrum half and five-eighths. lie first represented the province in 1905, and played in fifty-four re presen tat.ive matches, being second to his club mate, Steve Casey, who played in fiity-seven. Alf. went to Australia with the 1907 New Zealand team, and also represented the South Island against the North Island in 1907 and 190 k Alf. was a past master at. working the blind side, got the ball smartly away from the scrum, was one of the very best at rush-stopping, and a splendid line kick. He took as many hard knocks as most players, and was always a trier. Ernie Booth (“General,” as he was knicknamed) first came into prominence as a member of the Athletic Club. Oamaru, and afterwards joined the Kaikorai. Ernie first represented the' province in 1896, and played in thirty rep. matches. His position was full-back, and he was a deadly tackier.

Many will remember the way he tackled Billy Wallace when playing for the New Zealand team against Otago prior to the All Blacks leaving for England. Many thought that would be the end of Billy Wallace’s trip Home. Ernie Booth also went Home as a meml>er of the 1905 All Blacks, and toured Australia with the 1905 and 1907 New Zealand teams. lie represented the South Island against the North Island in 1902, 1904, 3905, 1900, and 1907. Ernie still takes a keen interest in the game, and has written numerous articles for the Press in ail parts of the Dominion and in Australia. He may go Home as a newspaper correspondent with the Maori team this season.

Of players who electrified the public by dazzling play “Banker” selects Billy Fea as one of the brightest. He was more unorthodox than most fiveeighths, but was undoubtedlv a very fine player, who fairly paralysed the opposition at times. As a member of the High School team he showed the makings of a champion. He went to the war shortly after leaving school, and made his name as a member of the Army Service team, and plaved some great games on the team's tour through South Africa. He played with the University, and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. He played in nine rep. matches for Otago, represented New Zealand in the final test against the Springboks in 1921. and played for the South Island against the North Island in 1920 and 1922. He was undoubtedly one of the most sensational players we have had, though a hard man to follow. In Dr Perry, however, he had a plaver who thoroughly understood his style of play, and this pair combined well.