FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME LAST OF THE ENGLISH TRIALS The last of three trials before the selection of the English Rugby Team for the match with Wales is to take place soon, and, from the form already displayed, the authorities ought not to have much difficulty in making up their minds as to the best fifteen to choose (writes the London correspondent of the “Chronicle” on December 30). The one or two outstanding problems should now be solved. Who’s for the position of full-back? Four men have already been tried and now we see two more, H. W. F. Franklin, an old Oxford Blue, and K. A. Sellar, a junior officer in the Najvy. It is said that Franklin has been the best full back in London club football for two years, and it is surprising that he should have had to wait so long for a first trial. He is a sound player, and will not hesitate to go down before the fiercest rushes of the Welsh pack. If neither Franklin nor Sellar satisfies, it is likely that the final selection will rest with J. S. N. Wallens, of Lancashire. It is a misfortune that L. R. Corbett, the centre-three-quart er, has been injured, and it is feared that he may not be able to take part in the match. But, in the event of his being fit, he is sure to be chosen, as is A. R. Aslett as the other centre. A good substitute for the latter is available in the old international, H. M. Locke. Locke and Corbett were thfe centres when England last won the championship. It is taken for granted that H. C. C. Laird will be the stand-off half, with either Arthur Young or Worton as his partner. There are many firstclass forwards to choose, from, and<4 on the whole, it looks as though England should have a really good team, and perhaps one capable of winning the championship again. BETTING ON SOCCER During the war, wh.cn there was little or no racing, and the munition workers at home had plenty of money with which to gamble, the bookmakers seized on football, launching an elaborate scheme under which they could lay the odds against teams in much the same way as against horses. The only difference they made was that teams had to be taken in combinations. That is to say one had to select at least four home teams, ana take a price about then} all winning. Similarly one could choose, say, three home teams and two away, or, as another set, three home teams and two draws, and. in each case odds were laid. This form of betting became very popular. The bookmakers issued printed lists of matches with the odds they were prepared to give, and these were distributed in the big works. In this way thousands of pounds were staked every Saturday. When racing was resumed, betting on football, though still considerable, fell off. Booming Agjun, This year the bookmakers, to some extent owing to the tax on racing bets, have turned to it again, and it 4 s being carried on on a large scale, ’today prices arc offered about single matches, and one enterprising bookmaker has devised a scheme by which he will take what in racing are known as “any-to-come” bets. But at football the layers are more liable to be hit than at racing, owing to the advantage which a home team possesses, and. they have not the same opportunities to balance their books by laying off bets. Indeed, on two o r three weeks this season, owing to the success of home clubs, bookmakers have been broken, and, if in nine eases out of ten the draw did not operate in their favour, their game would not be worth the, candle. Tho football authorities have taken every measure possible to stop this organised betting, owing to the fear that it m,ay lead to bribery of players. There have been a few cases of this, but the safeguard is that very few bets are for more than a few shillings each, and in the circumstances it is not worth while to try to persuade a player to “sell” at match. So, whilst individual bets remain small there is no likelihood of the honesty of the game being imperilled. BLOT ON NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL From the first day of their arrival in this country, th a New Zealand Rugby League players have been an unhappy party. As has previously been told, seven players rebellow against tho disciplinary restrictions imposed by the manager, Mr E. H. Mair, and refused either to train or to play. Inasmuch as the authorities in this .country were re-sponsible for the finances of tho tour, they stepped In, and, as it seemed, settled the dispute by persuading Mr. Mair to resign from his official position for a month. As soon as tho month was over, Mr Mair wished to take over the reins again, whereupon the discontented players refused to obey his orders. In these circumstances, it appeared likely that the tour would come to a summary end, and that the men would be sent home by the first boat. Fortunately, arrangements have now been made whereby the whole of tho programme of matches will be carried out. When this decision was arrived at, the joint managers, Messrs. Mair and Ponder, waited on the Rugby League management committee and asked that they should be allowed to complete the tour with tho nineteen loyal players. Tfie Suspensions. They pointed out that a clause in each player’s agreement gave them the power to suspend him for .misconduct, and they produced a list of breaches of disiripline by some halfdozen men even since Mr Mair has given up the position as manager. In these circumstances they claim,ed the right to suspend the unruly players. The Rugby League supported the suspension of those men who had declined to turn out, and they agreed that Mr. Mair might reaume the post of manager aftt»r January 10 if he desired to do so. It is now certain that the tour will result in a financial loss, when it ought to have produced a handsome profit. Seven games remain to be played, including the third and final Test match, but the public have ceased to take much interest in the affairs of the

tourists. It had been intended to arrange extra matches both in London and Paris, but these have been abandoned. It has not yet been decided whether the suspended players should be sent home in advance of their colleagues. The proposal has, however, been strongly moved and supported.