FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19718, 8 December 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL

RUGBY STRENGTH AND SPEED MAORIS’ IMPROVED FORM. PARIS, Dec. 6. The “Le Mhtin” states taht the Maoris showed themselves much, faster and stronger, and better trained than on their first lappearance. They gave the impression of extraordinary strength and speed. The “Echo de Paris” and “Auto” concur that their play is perfect. THE NATIVE TEAM ENGLISH CRITIC’S IMPRESSIONS The Maoris gave a very favourable impression in their first match in this country. This was against the Somerset county team, and they won by the decisive margin of 21 points to 8. As a combined team, they are probably not as good as the All Diacks of two seasons ago, but they play with great enthusiasm, and their football is both spectacular and in some respects skilful. But they succeed mainly as individualists, and their lobbing passes appear very dangerous. On one occasion against Somerset, they gave an astonishing display of overhead passing. About a dozen men handled the ball, and some of them never moved a foot after receiving it. The movement, one thought, should have been nippqd in the bud, but as a matter of fact it ended in a most spectacular try. Again, the tourists are always going out to score, and the two wing-three-quarters, A. Falwasscr and H. Phillips, arc likely to obtain a lot of tries. But S. Gemmell, who filled the position of rover, will not be popular. He puts the ball into the scrum but seems to have no set place ih the field, and, indeed, is little more than an obstructionist. The seven forwards are big strong fellows, who make excellent use of their weight, and it was notable that against {Somerset they usually got in the first shove in the scrummage. Their heeling, too, was quick and clean, but they did not play the same part in the open as the New Zealand forwards of two seasons ago. It is thought that the tourists will not complete their thirteen matches in England and Wales without being beaten. One of their hardest tests will be against the Harlequins. It would be possible for'the London Club to place in the field a team mainly comprised of internationals, but they have declined all offers of outside assistance. They intend to play only the men who turn out regularly for the club.

Athletes and British Climate Wo grumble about the weather, but from the point of view of the athlete. the British climate is perhaps the best in the world. The footballer, the golfer, the cricketer, and the runner may come from all parts, but, instead of being upset by the change, he is exhilarated. Even France did not suit the New Zealand Maori Rugby players, and, though they have been here only a few days, they confess that they feel a great deal better. Despite the wet days when no play was possible, and they had to kick their heels about in the pavilion, the Australian cricketers were delighted with the weather, and more than one American golfer has told me that he plays better in this country than at home. On the other hand, the American climate, especially during the hot weather, is a severe trial to the man who lives in Europe. British golfers, who have gone on tours, have suffered grieviously. Abe Mitchell on this account declares that he wishes he had never been to America. Arthur Havers and Janies Ockenden have never done anything in competitions at home since they were there. That, too, has been the experience of George Duncan since his last visit. Now the French lawn tennis players are complaining about New York in summer, and, because of the trials which they went through last year, they have seriously put forward the suggestion that next season they should take part In the preliminary stages of the Davis Cup competition in the American zone. The reason for thjs is that, provided they were successful, they would have a better chance of becoming acclimatised before challenging America for the Cup. Bv the way, Rene Lacoste should not suffer from this handicap. His period of military training in France will soon be at an end, and it is his intention to spend some time in America, where his father has largo business interests in the motor trade.

A LONDON LETTER First of Soccer Internationals. The English Association football authorities must start afresh to build up a national team . Since the game was resumed after the War, the record is a melancholy one, only seven ot twenty-one matches having ‘been Von. It used to be taken for granted that both Ireland and Wales would readily be beaten, but even these countries, who have to borrow so many of their mon from English, Scottish and Welsh clubs, fare now able to hold their own. The first of the season’s internationals, that with Ireland, takes place at Liverpool next week, and the England team has just been chosen. It must have been a big temptation for the Selection Committo to include several amateurs, after the display given by a representative side against the team of professionals who toured Canada during the summer, and won every match. Tn this game the amateurs quickly lost two goals, but afterwards completely outplayed their opponents, and broke through their defence as many as six times. It was <a startling result. But amateurs have often been tried before, £nd there has not been a single man who was successful enough to deserve to be picked a second time. Tn these circumstances the selectors have chosen an all-p ro^es^ t eara moot Ireland, land they have called upon most of the old hands. There is a new goalkeeper in Mclnroy, of. Sunderland, and two frosh forwards in Brown, the Huddersfield inside right, and his wing partner, Spence, of Manchester United. Curiously enough, Spence is at present appearing as centre forwtard for his club. As it appears on paper, the team is good enough to win, but the half-backs are

chiefly notable for their defence, and, because of their lack of resource in attack, the forwards, as they have done so often before for the same reason, may suffer. Ireland have been able to find only one roan at home good enough for a place in the side. All the others have been drtiwn from English, Welsh, and Scottish clubs. But it is stronger thin on many occasions, because, owing to the fact that the match is to be played in mid-week men have been released by their clubs. Hendren the Footballer. For ten years or more, as soon as cricket has been over, Hendren has plunged sraight into football. He is an outside left, and is a member of the Brenford team. To play cricket and football all the yaer round is hard work, but the Middlesex batsmen is u hardy little fellow and he has withstood the strain very well. Last winter he added a new burden going part nership with Durston, the Middlesex fast bowler, in running an indoor cricket school. But Hendren now feels that he cannot carry out all these duties, and this is to be his last season of League football. Still, if he had not been so engaged,* he would probably have gone abroad, as he has been offered cdaching engagements in South Africa, India and New Zealand. Another item of cricket news concerns Harry Howell, the fast bowler who went with the last M.C.C. team to Australia. He has left the Lancashire League, land returned to his home at Birmingham, and it was expected that he would resume playing for Warwickshire. As a matter of fact he took part in three or four games kit the end of the season. But there has been a hit'di in the arrangements. Howell has become manager of licensed premises, and, whilst holding this position, the Warwickshire club do not think it desirable thlat he should stay in the team.

RUGBY CONTROL CONTEEENCE WITH N.S.W. DIVIDING THE WAIKATO UNION. (Per Press Association 1. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-night. The New South Wales Rugby Union advised that it was desirable a conference between representatives of their Union and the New Zealand Council should be arranged at Sydney with as little delay as possible. In view of the intended visit of the New South Wales team to the British Isles next year, the. question of sending a team to Now Zealand as provided for in the agreement between the. Unions appeared a matter meriting immediate consideration. Also the matter that the New Zealand team to visit South Africa in 1928 might play New South Wales on the way over, and the long contemplated visit of the French team, .both of which required some definite information. The Council decided to appoint a representative at a later date.

Waikato Rugby Union forwarded a request that a board be set up to inquire into the question of dividing the present Waikato Union into two unions. They felt that the present position was not in the best interests of football in Hamilton or. in the Waikato generally. It was detided that a member of the Council should attend a conference between representative of Waikato and Hamilton Unions to consider the matter.