LEAGUE TEAM WEAKENED BY INJURIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18067, 29 January 1927, Page 9

LEAGUE TEAM WEAKENED BY INJURIES.

HOME CLUBS WOULD LIKE TO SECURE SOME NEW ZEALANDERS. (By E. H. MAIR.I HARROGATE. December 12. The match that the team looked forward to most was their contest with the famous Wigan Club. Yesterday was the day set down for our clashing, and there were many unfortunate circumstances that will make it last, in our memory. We fielded the following team: -Full back. Gregory; three-quarters, L. Brown, B. Davidson, J. Kirwin, G. Gardiner; five-eight, 11. Brisbane; half-back. S. Webb: forwards, A. Singe, A. Carroll. E. Herring, L. Petersen, F Henry and B. Avery. Goal Kicking Pcor. Dufty was still unable to play, his wrenched ligament, still giving him trouble. How the team have missed him in recent matches, particularly the last three! In those games we have scored 13 tries, and only one of them have been converted, not to mention the missing of many- kicks at goals from penalties. It lost us the games against Swinton and St Helens, and would have meant victory for us against Wigan yesterday, also if our team had remained bill strength. Duftv’s absence has also been felt in the line kicking and up and tinders. For instance, in yesterday’s game their full back (Jim Sullivan) scored two tries, which would not have been possible had Dufty been playing and had New Zealand had 13 players on the field. Dufty s long punts would have made Sullivan stand deep instead of being level with his three-quarters all through the second half after the New Zealand team lost their players through injury. Casualty List. Gregory was almost a crock ten minutes after the commencement, and in the case of two tries that Wigan scored he would have prevented them had lie been able to get across in time. He pluckily held out until shortly after the second half started, when he went down to it, and had to V>e carried off the field with an injured leg. It is doubtful if he will plaj* again on the tour. It was bad enough losing Gregory, but worse was to follow three minutes later when Kirwin, in attempting to stop Sullivan’s diving leap for a try, was rendered unconscious. He was also carried to the dressing-room, where several stitches were inserted in his forehead by the local club doctor after he had regained consciousness. It was impossible for him to resume also, leaving New Zealand with eleven players with the second half just started. Avery came out into the three-quarter line, and Singe went full back, leaving us four forwards against Wigan’s ‘'Big Six. The next tragedy was Webb, who was tackled hard when going for a try. and although he struggled on and played the game through, he was of little use to his side. He had to be carried to the station with a knee injury, and he is likely to be laid up for some time. The old saying that troubles never come singly is applicable to the New Zealanders at the present time. They have been very fortunate so far as injuries on the football field is concerned, no previous Colonial side having been so lucky up to a similar stage. At the present time Cole, Gregory. Webb and Kirwin are on the injured list through football injuries, Dufty through a wrench in a practice, and Mouat with influenza. Mason and Hall will be sufficiently recovered to play in the next game. Davidson played against W igan yesterday, and his ankle stood the test. Sullivan, All-Rounder. Wigan is skippered by Jim Sullivan, the full back of the 1924 English side that toured New Zealand and Australia. Their winger is Johnny Ring, their hooker Jack Bennett, and last man down Jack Price, who played in those positions for England on the same tour in 1924. Two South Africans secured by the W igan ( lub Van Rooyen (forward) and Booysen (half) also played. Van Rooyen is still displaying his old South African Rugby Union form, and he left an impression on every one that tackled.him yesterday. Booysen is an asset to the game here, but still not up to Parkin’s standard, who is still the best half in England to-day. In fact there is a dearth of classy halves in England to-day. Sullivan is a greatly improved player since his visit to New Zealand and Australia two years ago. Tie has not deteriorated in his goal kicking, but his line kicking and back division play is 20 per cent better. He is the best, all round back in England to-day, and he would be the first back chosen for tour. In recent matches we have had to play with old balls that were closely related to their Soccer cousin. In this game we raised the point about playing with a new ball, but it was too late on the eve of the game to effect a change. The Gate. In view of the bad gates we have

been receiving on account of the strike better results were expected from Wigan, as the miners had a week’s wages in hand. The miners unfortunately were working until 2 p.m., and as the games commenced at 2.30 it was impossible for thousands of them to get to the match. The miners are the backgrettable, but we could not have visit in the North of England, and it is rc1s has been suggested by many proinied England at a worse period than this visit has proved. Under the circumstances. £OOS was considered satisfactory, which makes a total of £13.411 for 25 matches, an average of £536. The Wigan ground at Central Park has a capacity of 45.000. In our match yesterday the referee was Mr Ilorsdall, who refereed our St Helens Rec. game. The game was so fast in the first half that he was done to a frazzle at the interval, and there were several movements in which tries were scored in which he found it difficult to be “present thereat.” Protest Against Prices. Wigan scored 'three goals, ten tries, 36 points to New Zealand’s five unconverted tries. The followers of the game are still protesting against the Is fid charge for admission, and a change to nent pressmen. The aftermath of the the New Zealanders behind in total strike is still being felt, and the argument is being put forward that a reduction to Is minimum will show an improvement in the receipts. Personally T do not think so, and moreover it would not lie fair to the clubs now that the tour is coming to a close—nine more matches to play—to effect a change. Left with Ten Men. The game was the fastest witnessed on Central Park for many years, and in the opinion of the local officials no more spectacular colonial tussle has been put up there. Even after losing Gregory New Zealand still held the lead, but it was too much to expect ten men for Webb was just standing up—to hold the onslaughts of the famous Red and Whites, who made the most ot their opportunity. It was the heaviest club defeat to date, and puts the New Zealanders behind in total points scored by their opponents. Lou Brown received a great reception from the Wigan fans, and they must now regret having let him go back to New Zealand, for if there is I one thing above all he has justified the trust the New Zealand selectors placed in him. lie is the speediest winger in the game here, and the tries he has scored are the kind that delight League Now that the prospects for lifting the ban look rosier than ever offers are living everywhere for -the securing of players. My co-manager and I have fought strenuously against the lifting, and will do so again next Wcdnesdav. \\ c both realise that the club feeling is so strong in England that the greater issue—-that of the game in Australia and New Zealand—is likelv to be forgotten f or 23 out of the 29 favoured the calling of the meeting. Clubs Want Gregory. The biggest point in favour of the lifting of the ban is that the League game in England at the present sadly requires a filip, and the introduction of Australian and New Zealand players, it is contended, would provide the necessar > • Already* several Queenslanders and New Zealanders have been approached. Several of the clubs here are keen on securing Gregory. He has been the most consistent back on the tour, has the right temperament for big football, is the right type (and the English clubs are beginning to realise that type is just as important as ability* when it. comes to having to keep a player, for they have paid for their experience). Davidson is another player that has been approached by the clubs here. Benny has proved himself the best attacking player on the New Zealand side, and his straight running and making of tries has appealed to the officials who control clubs. Brown and others are also welcome in England. However, ail the New Zealanders return to New Zealand on January 2S first, no matter how the decision goes. Personally, I do not think there is the remotest chance of any Australian or New Zealander playing’ in England this season, even if the ban on Union and League players is lifted. Visit of English Side. As to whether England will play in Australia and New Zealand in 1928 I am of opinion that as soon as they receive a reply from the Australian Board of Control .as to the queries sent the invitations will be accepted. MANY INCIDENTS IN HARD STRUGGLE AGAINST ST HELENS. HARROGATE, December 12. Our match last Thursday was with St Helens, at St.Helens. ’ St Helens’ rapid rise to fame has been due principally* to the fact that their officials have aimed at securing type of player first and ability afterwards, and concentrating on tactics, and keeping fit. This was our second visit to St Helens and they are never tired of pointing out some fresh touch in connection with New Zealand's great Prime Minister, Richard Sedd'on—where he was born, the place where he was apprenticed’ his church, his favourite walk, etc It is a big thing to say, but St Helens contend that high as is the pinnacle on which the New Zealanders have placed him. they arc prouder of “Their Dick!” The managers of the team smilingly remind them always that this could not be possible. The St Helens ground at Knowsley Road has a capacity of 30,000. and the record gate stands at 22,000. On October Baskerville’s team won bv 21 to 5, but the Australians of J9OB-9 C, Vk/! own b 7 9 to nil - On October 14. 1911, the Australians of 191 J.-12 won by 16 lo 5 ’ and the Australasians of 1921-22 won by 16 to 8. The weather conditions were threatening. but rain held off lor the whole afternoon. As against Swinton the New Zealanders missed the services of a goal kicker. They scored four tries to St Helens four, but not only failed in the attempts from the tries, but from every penalty also. On the other hand, Lewis was right on tap with his toot. If the question was asked as to the best goal kicker in England today. it would be difficult to sav whether Jim Sullivan was Lewis's superior or vice versa. Last season Lewis scored 139 points for his side, and in the contest in goals this season, by kicking five goals against New Zealand in this match, he passed Sullivan's total of 65, and now leads Jim by two goals. Lewis is on the small side, does not take much run. and his direction is always strong. This is the point where he has a little on Sullivan, but the position is evened by Jim having a slightly stronger kick. In the WalesNew Zealand match Sullivan was vivo all the kicks, and Lewis, playing on the same side, was not tried. There were several incidents in this match which will always make it remembered. Gardiner, playing on the wing, created a record for the first player in a. visiting colonial side to jump over an English player’s head and score a try. Gardiner was unfortunate in the second half in being given his marching orders, but when the full facts are known it will be a horse of another colour. Cole badly wrenched himself in the thigh early in the first / half, he remained on the field, but. j could- not do much. It is doubtful!

whether lie will be ablc x to play again for the rest of the tour'. Gregory played full back, Dufty still being on the injured list. It will be another week before the Aucklander will be fit to play. New Zealand fielded C. Gregory, full-back; L. Brown, H. Cole, ]. Kir wan and G. Gardiner, threequarters; halves, H. Brisbane and S. Webb; forwards. H. Thomas, B. Avery, E. Herring, A. Carroll. P. Wright and J... Petersen. The final scores read 22 to 12 in St Helens’ favour.

OTAGO. First Innings 190 Second Inning's. Bell, c Grenfell b O’Brien 22 Leader, b Puddle 27 H. Cameron, not out 1 Extras 9 Total for two -wickets .... 91