RUGBY LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 11

RUGBY LEAGUE.

Prospects For To-Morrow’s Matches. DROP-OUT RULE AGAIN. A return to the old drop-out rule will be made by League players to-morrow, following a decision by the local executive on the recommendation of the New Zealand Rugby League Council. New Zealand is thus brought into line with England and Australia, these countries having also revertetd to the rule. When the ball is forced down by the opposing side, referees will insist that it must be kicked again into play immediately, from the line. Play will thus be resumed almost instantly. If any of the defending players are in front of the kicker, or the ball goes into touch on the full, the penalty is a scrum five yards infield. The draw for Saturday is: Sydenham v. Hornbv Sydenham Park. New Brighton v. Addington, Rawhiti Domain. Linwood v. Ruru Road, Linwood Park. The new Ruru Road senior side will learn some good lessons from their match with Linwood, but there should he no doubl about the result. In Logie. Ayres, Jackson and Whitley, Linwood have four backs of promise, and when they adopt the short, sharp passing rush and support each other for backing up, they will be more prominent. All, with the exception of Jackson, have come from the lower grades as the outcome of the club's policy of encouraging their younger players. Ruru have some players of experience in their ranks, hut they have yet to learn a lot of the finer points of the code. Possession of the ball is the strong point, and it is suggested that the side tries three front forwards to secure the ball from the scrum, with the centre man seeking to get control of the ball. They indulge in far too much kicking. It is better to be caught in possession than to give the ball to the opposition by kicking. Low tackling, and not “scalpers” must be adopted, and the backs should try short rushes, which are more penetrating. The former Hornby stalwart, H. A. (“Punch”) Vivian, is now playing for Ruru. and if he can transmit some of his energy to the new club’s forwards, they ought to develop into an aggressive pack. The introduction of League in France has proved a great success. At the conclusion of their English tour, the Australians played a French representative \ team, and, though the latter were beaten easily, the match pleased French sporting writers, who predicted a " r ' r ££ t future for the code in France. The French team also pleased the critics bv their matches against Wißar English Cup winners, London Highfield and their defeat of Hull by 29 points to 26. The majority of the French players were former Union men. The possibility of a visit from the Sydney University League team lias been hinted at. It was an Aussie varsity team that paved the way for clubs to visit the Dominion in 1922. J Sullivan, full-back and captain of the English League team, who has paid three visits to New Zealand, kicked over 110 goals this season, bringing his total up to 19 30 goals. He lias scored 51 tries, and put on over 4000 points since he first played^ in 19-1. Hornby should be able to win their game with Sydenham, for, since the beginning of the season, they have shown the best form of any in the senior grade. Their men work well together, and on attack and defence form a tough proposition. Sydenham, although they had an easy win last week, were playing a team fresh to the code. They appeared to lack combination, although Chasten, Grimes amRastriek played well together. Hornby would be wise to adopt the. policy of building up their junior men right away, for at present they lack support for their senior team. The first grade players, especially the forwards, have done good work l'or several seasons now and will soon be retiring. The club has plenty of material to draw on, and they should be able easily to enrol two strong junior teams. Though well beaten in the second spell of their game against Linwood last week, Addington will show improved form before long, and t-hould be able to defeat the weak New Brighton side to-morrow. The tactics of their field captain in the latter part of last Saturday’s game were of considerable assistance to the winners, as he played right to the liking of the speedy Linwood backs. Brighton is another team that should improve as the season continues. Just at present, they are not all fit and need training.