RUGBY’S SECOND ROUND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 5

RUGBY’S SECOND ROUND

THREE HARD MATCHES TO-DAY WANGANUI CLUB RUGBY ENTERS SECOND ROUND (Gy "CGOSS-GXG”). Wanganui Club Rugby enters the second round today and is charged with a high degree of interest in that four teams—Technical Old Boys, Pirates, Old Boys and Kaicrau, are ail within striking distance of each other and right after championship honours. The big match will be between Old Boys and Marist and the early encounter on Spriggens Park will be waged between Kaierau and Technical Old Boys. Pirates arc anticipating a hard battle against Ratana on the latter team’s home ground.

Marist, by the virile play they have displayed of late, deserve prominence on the main ground and Old Boys Avill need full strength, particularly in the van, to succeed against them. Though the greens have been somewhat handicapped in-so-far as backs arc concerned the life of their pack has made up for shortcomings in this department. By that I do not mean to treat lightly the efforts of the rearguard, but it has been patent in recent matches that a stronger five-eighth line would have made material difference to the side’s scoring powers. Narbey is playing well at centre and is a useful man with his boot when within cooee of the goal. It is quite expected that the greens will put up a meritorious performance against Old Boys this afternoon.

The reds will be at full strength. This team has shown good form in several matches, though it must be fully remembered that their display against Ratana last week was not of a high order and they were lucky to scrape out with a win instead of a draw or a loss. In back play they should be more than the equal of the greens, but before a rearguard can function that age-old Rugby fact must be proved—the van must be the equal of the opposing pack. Old Boys have a side of good forwards, and it will be interesting t j see how they shape to-day against a pack that will be out to give no quarter. In the first round Old Boys defeated Marist by 14 to nil.

On the last occasion on which Technical Old Boys and Kaierau met the issue was a draw. This was probably the best game played this season and both teams will take the field this afternoon determined to play to a decisive finish. Technical Old Boys are at the head of the ladder with but a point to spare from Pirates and a loss for them to-day will result in the blacks, provided they can succeed against Ratana, assuming the place of honour. Kaierau, on the other hand, cannot afford to lose many more matches if they have hopes of running out as championship winners, notwithstanding the fact that the competition is to go to three rounds. The early game on Spriggens Park promises to be just as keenly contested as was its predecessor of the first round when Technical Old Boys rose to the occasion, played Kaierau at their own game and held them to a draw.

Ratana will be a determined side against Pirates at Ratana. It has been noticed by the public lately that the Maori fifteen has had a leaning towards rough play. There have been “incidents” in matches, some of them which have escaped the eye of the referee, others that have resulted in penalty kicks. In last Saturday’s game on the racecourse many spectators came away with the impression that the time had arrived when much sterner measures were required to deal with some of the Ratana “tactics.” I have been loth to mention this subject, but as there is a growing feeling of public antagonism against the Maori side I thought it as well to whisper a word of warning. Ratana is a team which has always held a high place in puolic regard and there would be widespread regret felt if the Union had to wield a heavy hand. I am sure that the Ratana team, as a whole, can set a lead in sportsmanship if they so desire and I have no doubt that a great deal of the so-called “rough” play has been what may bo legitimately termed “hard.” Even so, it is well for the matter to be looked at from all angles and if there is any responsibility resting on the shoulders of the Maoris to counteract the feeling that is growing up against them that responsibility will be discharged with true sporting spirit. Pirates have much at stake in to-day’s match and there is no doubt that they will play hard to retain their position on the ladder. Ratana, on the other hand, will have an equal determination to make good in the second round. The team has settled down very considerably since the season opened and is a much harder force to contend with than that which Pirates met in the first round and defeated by 24 to 3. This should prove to be a willing tussle and it is expected that quite a large number of spectators will be present to see it. The junior seven-a-side tournament conducted by the Metropolitan Union this year was one of the best of its kind promoted. The entries showed an increase and the play was of a high order. Great credit for the smooth way in which the tournament was conducted is due to Mr P. Wilson. He has made so complete a study of this type of football that, even now, he is known as “Seven-a-side Wilson,” a title which, in itself, pays a tribute to his keen interest in the code. It is the intention of the Wanganui Rugby Union to recognise the services rendered the code by Moke Beiliss. Subscriptions to a fund are being invited and these must be made on a voluntary basis and by individual enthusiasts. The laws of amateur sport forbid clubs or unions making contributions. It is anticipated that a fitting testimonial will result and arrangements arc to be made for a suitable presentation. The selector is making ready for his next representative team to play Southland at Wanganui on July 15. He will attend the Rangitikei v. Taihape match at Taihape next Wednesday and goes to Koriniti to be present at the North v. South match on June 20. He hopes to make a thorough study of the form and so be in a position to choose the strongest possible team from the whole Union. Why keep awake o’ nights?—Put a “Unique” Hot Water Bottle in the kiddies’ cot. British and guaranteed not to burst or crack.—Advt.

It is pleasing to see that the New Zealand Rugby Union has reserved decision about applying to i%c Rugby Union, England, on the replacement question. As was pointed out by Dr. Adams at the last meeting of the Wanganui executive there could be but one answer to New Zealand’s question. England would rule, as she has always done, that there must be 15 players in a Rugby side, interpreting that to mean: “fifteen, or more and no less.” There is a lot to be said for the non-replaco ment of players, notwithstanding the fact that it does not appeal to the sporting instincts to see a team of less than fifteen battling against one of full strength. The point which stands out strongly in favour of a rigid rule that there shall be no replacements in that, under the present system in this conn try, the only barrier to a fresh man going on is the word of the captain. Where would you find a captain worthy of the name who would have it in him to refuse a request of an opposing club? His name would be mud for ever and a day. So it boils down to this that there is a loophole for a player to be forcibly stood down at half-time and a fresh man brought on in his place. There are other points about the non-replacement rule which appeal, but that is the most outstanding of all. There is practically nothing to stop a selector or coach “inventing” an injury for a player and bringing a new man in half-way through the game.

When the British Rugby football team returned from its tour of New Zealand the captain (F. D. Prentice) was credited with saying that the tourists “should have Avon three of the Tests.” They were lucky, however, in winning one Test—the first, played at Dunedin. It will be remembered that late in the game at Dunedin the visitor® scored a sensational try as the result of an interception by Ivor Jones when the British team \mjis being hard pressed by New Zealiwd. Prior to that New Zealand had been decidedly unfortunate in not being awarded two tries—one when Porter touched down in a scrummage over the goal-line and the other when the New Zealand captain was obstructed in an attempt to fall on the ball after he had kicked it lightly over the goal-line. In the first case the referee ordered another scrummage, and in the second case the referee (Mr 8. Hollander) took no action. A penalty kick would have met the latter case, althought there have been occasions when under similar circumstances a try has been awarded. The incident in whicn Porter touched down in a scrummage, and concerning which the writer reported at the time that a try should have been awarded, was related by Mr W. J. Wallace at the last meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Man agement Committee during a discussion on rules. The scrummage, he said, was ' formed just outside the British goallino, and when the ball was put in the New Zealand forwards, using their weight and keeping the scrummage intact, pushed the opposing pack over the line. Immediately the ball, still in the scrummage, passed over the line, Porter dived in and touched down, whereupon another scrummage was ordered. Members agreed that the referee was wrong, and that a try should have been awarded. Law 26 covers the position as follows: A try is scored “if a side in a scrummage push the other side over the latter’s goal-line and first touch the ball down in in-goal.” TO TOUR ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. SPRINGBOK’S PERSONNEL. The probable personnel of the South African team for England is being already discussed. One writer in the London Daily Herald says:— The candidates will have to stand the test of several trials during the coming months, but already several names are being mentioned as more or less certainties. There is “Bennie” Osler, who is tipped in some quarters as captain of the team. He has been described as the W. J. A. Davies of South Africa, and i s a very versatile fly half. His brother, Stanley Osler, who played against the All Blacks in South Africa, in 1928, is a class centre, but as he is up at Oxford now he may not be available for the side. B. H. Black, who has been kicking goals for England this season, is another who may be selected, but in Oxford’s last two captains, T. W. Cobb and 8. J. Hoffmeyr, there are two sterling forwards for the tourists. There is also W. P. Rosscau, who got his blue in 1929. Phil Mostert, now a veteran player, is another choice for the captaincy, and he has the asset of having played against Cove-Smith’s side in the Union in 1924. Western Province will provide the bulk of the touring party, with the best men from the other nine unions who compete in the Currie Cup competition. Alan for man, the English teams of to-day are not of the same calibre us those who oppose the first two Springbok teams, and the attempts at teambuilding this season have been such a failure that all the work will have to be done over again to prepare a side capable of holding the South Africans. Their visit will supply the much-needed tonic to Rugby this side of the world, as most touring sides did from the immortal first All Blacks. Twenty nine players will make up the party, and they will be chosen by W. F. Schreiner, Theo. Pienaar, A. F. Mareotter, George Devenish and S. A. Townsend, names that will inspire confidence and produce the best available side.

DEFINITION OF “MARK” N.Z. UNION DECISION. PLAYERS AND PENALTY KICK. After further discussion on the question of the Rugby “mark,” the New Zealand Rugby Union on Wednesday night decided to alter its definition, made at the previous meeting, to read that a player must be supported by both feet when he catches the ball, and must make a heel mark immediately. The words “immediately after,” as in the previous definition, were deleted. During a general discussion on the rules, Air. S. 8. Dean, chairman, stress cd the rule applying to players on an offending side remaining “passive’ when a penalty kiek was being taken, and also when a no-charge kick at goal after a try had been allowed. “Pas Hive,” he said, meant remaining perfectly still in a normal position. Play ers on the mark when a penalty Mek was being taken could not stretch their arms above their heads, as was fre quently done now.