FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 28 June 1924, Page 6

FOOTBALL

RUGBY UNION IXJCAL FIXTURES ARRANGED To-day. —Taihape v. Wanganui, on the RecJuly 10: —Te Aute College v. Wanganui College, at Wanganui. Aug 9. —Wanganui v. Manawatu at Wanganui. Aug I*s. —Wavanui v. Taranaki at New Plymouth. Aug 23. —Wanganui v. Nelson, at Wanganui. Sept. 10. —Wanganui v. Auckland, at Wanganui. THE ALL BLACKS AUSTRALIAN ITINERARY. Julv s—Versus New South Wales (fir.~t’ test). July 9 —\er>us Metropolitan. July 12 —Versus New South Wales (second test). Julv 16. —Versus New South Wales (third test ). The team will leave Sydney on their retunr about July 16. The complete Ail Black •-« nr>:nation will leave Wellington for England by the s.s. Reiuucr:i. which :> tinted to take her depal arc about July 26. RANFURLY SHIELD Hawke’s Bay have to meet the 10l lowing rhailengers for the shield: August I*s. v. Nelson. August 20, v. Waikato. August 23, v. Auckland. August 30 v. Manawatu. SECONDARY SCHOOL FORM NOTES AND COMMENTS •By ‘-The Observer.”) • .The big attraction on the Rec. this afternoon is a bub-Union representative match. Wanganui v. Taihape. ad in view of the return to form last Saturday of several local players who will be donning the blue and black jersey to-day it i> • -xperted that the game will be of such an interesting nature to please the lans.

Of late years the home team have emerged from the tray victorious, and the reason therefor is not very hard to seek, simply the fact that it is not always possible to get the best team to travel. This has applied to both Tuhap • and Wanganui in the past, and doubtless it is a necessary evil, <hali we say. • • ® •

Twelve months ago Wanganui journeyed to the Main Trunk centre for the match last season, ami a firn* thrashing they got too! The Taihape fifteen that day was a decidedly tough proposition, and hard as they were then there »s nothing tv say that they have receded in their form this season. So that under the circumstances, with the visitors anxious to repeat that triumph, and the Wanganui players no less desirous of wiping it out. the game vn the Rec. this afternoon should be well

worth seeing. Unfortunately the local team will be a long way below full strength.

An amusing incident was witnessed on the College ground last Saturday. The School XV were having a hard battle with Pirates, and one of the latter team retired behind his deal ball line to have hti injury attended to. Then a College winger broke away ami had only to pass the full-back, when the injured man broke away from his masseur and plunged gamely into the fray once more. The onslaught was stayed, much to the surprise of the School player.- He did not anticipate the opposition from the player who was really hors de combat. At any rate, he was what one may’ call a real Pirate!

In the term- of an eye-witness, words fail to describe the superlative excellence of the Rata barks in last Saturdays match with M.arton on the Rata ground. The Score at the interval was six all, but with a change in the home rearguard what a transformation there was- At half-back was Kingi, and time and time again he fed his rearguard in brilliant fashion, ind score after score came their way. Never has the like been seen on the ground, and Rata ha', e played some great games these. Kingi rose to great heights, and sheubi lie keep up that form he must go into the next representative team as a huif-back. On attack he made several openings, while his defensive work stopped rush ait-.r rush. Peina, although by no means in the best of health, was like the Peina of big football we km-w -<• well, elusive and slippery as the proverbial eel. His side-stepping and jtsiky runs left the opposition standing repeatedly: in short, he was perfection. Of Pviaka it also must be written that he was great, both on attack and defence, and he showed that he has lust none of his •lash. This sudden recovery of form on the part of Raia’s backs will he very pleasing tu enthusiasts, who will now be awaiting the appearance of Kingi, Peina and Potaka in the next rep. team. Always providing, of course that this trio keep up the high spectacular standard >et bv them last week.

The match between the Palmerston North and VVairarapa Boys’ High ?Schools, which was substituted for the historic Wanganui <V/’lrgiatc and To Auto College match, on the second < :*y of the Manawatu A. and P. Show, aid not prove as great an attraction as was • anticipated, nor did it provide a game possessing the same sparkle and dash as the latter fixture. Nevertheless, it was a match well worth witnessing, and after a fast, clean, snappy exposition of the code. characterised by flashes of brillinat manoeuvres. ho local boys emerged the victors by a margin of 23 points to 3.

The visitors proved rather a weak side, but their only’ try’, secured in the second spell, was the culmination of a brilliant passing effort by the rearguard. Although their inside backs left a lot to be desired, their forwards were a solid, battling lot and were always looking for work. In the latter department they held their own. but they were outclassed by superior backs. The Palmerston boys were an even lot, being all about the same size and weight, and their coach, Mr. Colquhoun —who has been instrumental in pro during some of the * most promising footballers in the Manawatu —had his charges iu the pink of condition when they took the field. In the first spell the home side, urged on by’ their >upporters. quickly established a substantial lead, the majority of their tries being the result of clever and snappy back work. In the second spell they showed even better form—sometimes the oval traversing the hands and the majority of the team —and the game terminated with them having 20 point:? to spare.

After witnessing th:> game last week the writer does not consider that ;he Palmerston team will go far should they’ enter for the Moascar Cup, which is at present held by the New Plymouth g ßoys’ High School. The fifteen has not the same attacking and defending powers, nor the brilliant forwards and backs that comprised the 1920 team, which first brought their school into prominence. when they defeated the Te Aute College fifteen, at Napier, after a sensational game. The team was not expected to go far on that occasion, but despite the general opinion they followed up their initial victory by trouncing Auckland Grammar on their own ground, and thus got into the final.

In the deciding game with the Christchurch Boys’ High School, played at Wellington three days later, they suffered defeat b.v one point—a touch down behind the dead ball line, when extra time was being counted against them. Last season the School had another strong fifteen, and were again runners-up for the coveted trophy, succumbing to New Plymouth in the final. This year’s team comprises practical iy all new players, but under the capable management of their coach, they’ may yet develop into a team that can carry the cup to Palmerston —the School certainly deserves it after being twice runners-up!

And what of the form of Wanganui’s two secondary schools. Collegiate and Technical? Both were seen in action last Saturday, although under different conditions, and it must be said that, while Collegiate School were very disappointing. despite their easy win, the Technical team put up a promising showing. The latter were matched against their own ex-students in the junior grade, and it was rather unfortunate. for the purpose of a review as to their play and possibilities, that they should have chosen to experiment with the positions of some of the players by trying a few of them in new places. That it was apparently not a success is really immaterial. The Technical boys gave quite a good display, which under the handicap just referred to was somewhat unexpected. Their forwards are good, always on the ball, and with plenty’ of weight they should hold their own against anything they will meet. The backs are nippy, and show a desire to hand the ball along, but there were times when that fatal tendency’ to run straight across the. field and jamb the wings was most noticeable, whilst on more than one oc-

casion they actually’ lost ground. This was the most serious defect noticed in their play last Saturday, and of course the remedy is for the insiders to go straight up-field and leave plenty’ of room wherever possible for the centre and wings to manoeuvre.

Collegiate School’s XV. faced’ the Pirate Juniors on Saturday, and the fact that the town club. with hut twelve players, actually held the students in the first spell, pointed to something radically wrong with the latter team. The Collegians certainly rang on three tries in the first spell, but it was only on these three occasions that they’ ever looked like penetrating the black defence, and it was the three odd men that they had which materially’ assisted in the gathering of the nine points. In the second half the strain told on Pirates and they collapsed before the boys, but they went under with colours flying. They had only six and at times live men down in the scrums, and yet they hooked the ball four times out of five. College forwards are a hefty lot and they had the advantage in weight and numbers forward, yet they’ were beaten in the scrubs and often in the tight and loose. This must have given their coach (Mr G. G. Potts; much food for thought, and if he can make of these forwards a vanguard in any way approaching the JSchool pack of last year between this and the important matches io follow later in the season, then he will have proved himself a super-coach.

With their forwards generally outplayed. the Collegiate School backs were no doubt handicapped to an extent. but even so they did not impress one as a great match-winning factor. Their wingers are good, both of them, with Duncan showing more promise than Ormond, but the insides failed in their task of getting the ball out io them. The same fault was apparent as was so noticeable in the Technical reargurad play—too much across the field work and losing ground with it. The Collegiate School XV. have weight and pace, but they* strike one as a team requiring much time to mould into thorough shape as an enterprising attacking force possessing sound defensive qualities. On present form, one would expect Technical College to beat Collegiate School, despite the fact that form as such is hard to estimate when school meets school in annual encounter.

While over in Hawke’s Bay this week the writer was handed out glowing accounts of the prowess of the Te Aute College XV., who by r the way are io meet Collegiate School in Wanganui on Thursday week. Te Aute recently’ defeated in a sound manner Maori Agricultural College, whose exclusion last season from Moascar Cup contests created a furore at the time. The Te Aute backs are said to be great, possessing more than the usual nippiness, dash ami initiative which one

generally’ expects of them, with two outstanding players iu Potaka (half), and Hunt, one of the wings. The Te Aute junior team also is considered stronger than hitherto, and very little removed from their firsts, so that all said and done the local (School teams appear to be faced with two rather difficult propositions when they’ face Te Aute a week or so hence.

It is expected that dates will very shortly be fixed for the Moascar Cup contests, wherein Te Aute and Wanganui Technical Colleges will meet New Plymouth High School, the holders of the trophy. From the above comments it may’ he calculated that Tc Aute College will have a good chance of winning the Cup. Wanganui Technical will probably have the first match with the holders, who are said not, to be so strong as last season, although it is said by Taranaki scribes that they* combine well and have good scoring-three-quarters.

The following is the Wellington representative team to play Taranaki at Hawera Show next Wednesday:—Fullback, Malcolm; three-quarters, Hawkins, “Doc.” Nicholls, Smith; fiveeighths, B. Gibson, Johnson; half, Hall; wing-forward, Pope; forwards, Osborne, Swain, Pringle, Moffitt, McRae (’Varsity), Haddock, Hearne. Emergencies: Back, Wogan; forward, O’Sullivan.

The team will leave for Hawera on Tuesdav.

With a courage strongly reminiscent of a dramatic critic in full career, the occupant of the chair of football in the University’ of the Sun has lectured the little boys on the tactics of first five-eighths. The words of !h.t learned doctor must be preserved in ail their beauty:

The first five-eighth, when near the man who marks him, should swerve slightly infield, so as to check the outward run of the opposing line, and chert (if he can) he should swerve slightly out again.

Owing to the departure of the Canterbury member of the select seven, the professir was here interrupted, or he would have added: “Still holding the inflated oval between the thumb and index finger of the right hand, the first five-eighth raises himself gently on the right toe (if he can) and deposits the ball gently over the opposing side’s line, making sure that the ball, hand and ground make contact simultaneously. lie must take care, however, that in completing the fourteenth swerve, he does noT pass through his starting point, and fall in the direction of his own goal. The danger hero, of course, that he will force 'he ball instead of scoring a try.”

The professor then went on to deal with the legal aspect of the swerve question, and the inner mysteries of the selection of Mark Nicholls, which is explained in this fashion:— Mark Nicholls, of Wellington, has been coached in first five-eighth play this season by W. J. Wallace, who i-> probably one of the headiest players who ever lived, and he has made a big improvement in his play. He put into effect in the inter-island game the tactics he had learned, and these were particularly effective in providing opportunity’ for Cooks, at second fiveeighth, who profited much thereby. Obviously, the selectors noted all this, and so Nicholls went into the All Black team in the first 13 chosen.

It is to be hoped that none of the bright boys in this class reminded th* doctor that Cooke seemed to be able to do things at second five-eighth before he played under the stimulus of Mr. Wallace’s coaching and Mr. Nicholl’s execution, or that Mr. Nicholls was generally nominated with regrets as a certainty to the team long before he was able to swerve in any of the trials.

RUGBY POINTERS (By “Referee.”) Who?.—As the N.Z. Union has now been asked to send two delegates to the coming Imperial conference, (on rules, etc.), it is to be hoped that an active referee is sent, one who is more fully alive to the aules of the game than even that worthy’ Christchurch union official, who is reported to be already packing his bag. No local referee has been 1 ‘tipped” for his job! What’s up? The Proper Thing.—A remit to the Home conference will endeavour to have the free kick made absolute; that is, it will be possible for the kicker to both place and kick the ball. All or Nothing.—Another suggested alteration is to make the whole playing field subject to the “10 yards scrummage from touch,” instead of applying, as at present from twenty-five line to twenty-five line. From goal line to goal line is both more sensible and more easily understood by’ both players and referees.

A Possible Coining Event. —A visit from Mr Dan McKenzie, chairman, N.Z. Referees’ Association, is on the cards if the local union can get sufficient attendance to warrant “Dan” putting on one of his “demonstration lectures” on the rules of the game. This is a unique opportunity’ of everybody getting a first hand knowledge of the rules, and what he doesn’t know about them could be written on a postage stamp. Questions, written and otherwise, will be welcomed. Much Discussed.—The try awarded Pirates last week came in for a full discussion afterwards, as the corner flag was knocked over during the operation. The corner flag, is, of course,touch in goal and, the note under rule 2 reads as follows: “If a player, in possession of the ball, touches a corner flag or post prior to touching down, the ball must be considered as being in touch in goal. Therefore no try’ can be scored, and a twenty-five drop out should be taken.” The particular point is iu the ‘prior to touching down,’ and Referee Fromont last wtek stated that the ball was touched down before the player’s body struck the corner flag. Therefore the decision was correct.

Fie, Pirates!—Fancy’ rep. players questioning a decision because a player had only placed one hand on the ball when scoring a try’. The ruling is: “A try is gained by the player who puts his hand on the ball on the ground in his opponents’ goal.” A further note states in this connection, “So as to press the ball on the ground.”

Obstruction.— When will players

learn that hustling or shoving a niau (not ill possession of the ball) on the lino out is active obstruction, and must be penalised by a free kick if detected. Fortunately for some of the No. 1 ground players last, week the referee wasn’t in the best position to see them, otherwise Often Seen—Not understood:— :

Question: Can a player go down and stop a rush—that is to say, fall on the. ball and immediately get up aud roll away from it?

Answer: A player can so stop a rush, and can only be penalised if he stays on the ground with the bail in his possession. He must attempt to get up immediately, and can keep possession of the ball until he gets on his feet. He is not a tackled player. Off side on Lines Out.—Answering an enquiry: ‘‘Yes, players can lie offside on lines-out, and can be penalised for standing- on their opponents’ side, even though they may not play the ball actually. They are actively obstructing an opponent. If the thrower-in throws the ball ‘forward’ on a line-out and it is taken by one of his own side, the latter is most certainly off-side.”

Seen too Often.—Players getting back into a scrummage from their opponents’ side. BefereeS, please note.

FRENCH RUGBY SLUGGING DUE TO OVERENTHUSIASM. The Rugby Federation in France has been facirig a quandary lately owing to the undue roughness which is allowable under present rules. After the Toulouse-Biarritz match last year twelve of the Toulouse players out of the fifteen were on the casualty list. One sporting paper described the game as a “splendid example of street fighting.” The rough worl> it seems, is not due altogether to the French rules, but rather to th? keen rivalry between Rugby teams in different parts of France. The Frenchman seems to let his enthusiasm get the better of him. A player guilty of “roughing” ?s never ruled off the field unless his opponent is rendered completely unconscious. THE ALL BLACKS DEPABTURE FOR SYDNEY. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 27. The football team left for Sydney at noon by the Ulimaroa in fine weather after a rainy night. A large crowd on the wharf gave them a hearty send oil. THE SYDNEY ITINERARY (Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, June 27. Dates for the All Black matches in Sydney are: July 5,9, 12 and 1(5. Lists have repeated been published giving July 29 for the last match, but the steamer by which the team returns leaves early that day, and the date as arranged in Sydney is July 16.

RUGBY UNION TESTS NEW ZEALAND HOLDS ASHES. N.S.W. AFTER THEM. It is now a matter of history that New Zealand avenged the loss of the "ashes” to N.S.W. in Sydney ir 1922 by defeating the team which toured the Dominion last year in each of the three tests (wrote K.C.W. in the Sydney Sun last week ).

Without detract’ g from these victories, it must be remembered that Raymond, Walker, Wogan, Crossman, Pym. Tancred, Friend Bonner. Hesslein, and Cooney were compelled to decline the invitation to tour with the team. With these withdrawals the selectors, with the future of the game in view, chose young players, so that the experience of a tour in the “home of Rugby” would develop their football powers.

It was,, therefore, a comparatively light and youthful party which went forth to do honour for the State. In the first test at Dunedin the side did extremely well, and practically outplayed the foemen, who, however, thanks to Sinclair’s accurate goal-kicking, wo n by 19 to 9, though each team registered three tries. And so alarmed were th public, press, and New Zealand selectors that radical changes were made in the home team, and a pack of giant, virile forwards was placed in the field against us at Christchurch for the second match, and we were well beaten. But there were other reasons why N.S.W. lost:— (1) The side was not big enough or quite class enough (2) Each New Zealand player was “going for his life” for inclusion in the team for England. (3) New Zealand conditions were difficult, and entirely different from our own. t (4) Wing-forwards got a good spin and upset our methods of attack. (5) New Zealand players have more big match experience. They

do intuitively the right thing at the right time. COUNTER MEASURES. N.S.W. v. N.Z. is always a battle of styles. The loss of the three games and "ashes” does not infer a defeat for the Welsh style,, which N.S.W. to put into practice. The games proved a victory for a scrum with three front row men as against two-front row pack, for statistics kept by N. Z. pressmen revealed that in the first and second tests we wo n handsomely in securing possession in scrums, despite a handicap of almost a stone per man in weight. In the final test, in the mud. N.Z. pushed us all over the greasy ground. Our visitors next month will find that the lessons of the tour have been well taken to heart. Counter measures will be adopted, and the State team so selected, coached and prepared that the confident prophecy is here made that the Welsh system, which is the ideal style, will triumph over the All Bracks’ methods, which have spoiling tactics as a basis.