THE RUGBY FIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 4

THE RUGBY FIELD

By

“CROSS-BAR”

WANGANUI RUGBY WO TEAMS OF BACKS TO-DAY’S BIG MATCHES SOME PREDICTIONS. (By “Cross-Bai’.”) When two teams strong in the backs face each other in Rugby the public invariably awaits the match in a spirit of enthusiasm. And if weather conditions be fav- • ourable anticipations are nearly always realised. It is with pleasurable expectation that spectators are looking forward to to-day’s major match on Spriggens Park. The two unbeaten teams, Technical Old Boys and Old Boys, both of whom place very full responsibilities on their rearguards, will probably provide th tit-bit of the season in spectacular play. There will be a high degree of interest in the earlier match also, that between Pirates and Kaierau. It will be vr - difficult to forecast the result of these matches. One is fully conscious of the magnitude of *.i task of trying to assess the comparative merits of two Rugby teams, particularly if they hapfle . » ue meeting for the first time in a season. One can only take the form they have displayed against other sides and try to apply an analysis which will permit reaching to within reasonable distance of a prediction of the result. What have we then, following along this line of thought? Technical Old Bys have met and defeated Marist and Kaierau. Obi Boys have beaten Pirates and Marist. Logically, one should then cast his reasonings regarding to-day’s major clash round the tussles which have been waged by the greens against the two opposing sides. In other words an attempt must, be made to make Marist the measuring rule. Technical Old Boys will hold that the game they ’-ved against Marist can not be taken as a "ii’de in that the blue and whites were not a properly seasoned side, having had no collective training beforehand. Whatever may be the objection let it be overruled for tho moment and the match against Kaierau disregarded for the time being. Marist so extended Technical Old Boys that a draw would have been a fair indication of the run of play. Actually, Technical Old Boys succeeded by a penalty goal to nil. When Old Boys came to meet Marist there was a greater margin of superiority between

winners and losers. Tho Marist backs were no match for the opposition and although Old Boys did not deserve to win by 11 points, as they actually did, ; they wore at least, six points better i than the greens. Therefore, assuming that the strengths of the three teams in question remained the same throughout, one would hold that the matches against Marist set Old Boys as a six point better side than Technical Old Boys. But there is something in the contention of Technical Old Boys that they should not bo judged on that first game. Marist had been in action be-

fore and Old Boys had played two matches prior to their tussle with the green pack. So, at the very most, the Marist team, applied as a rule, can only measure Old Boys to be three points better than their opponents of to-day. In this frame of mind one remembers what happened to Kaierau.. Can that match bo taken as a guide as to what will happen to-day? A reasonable answer would bo that in forv 1 play it might be, but in back play, no. If Technical Old Boys can uso their pack in the same manner as they did against Kaierau they will win. One presumes then, that at some stage in to-day’s match every facility will be afforded Lloyd Stewart and 1»h van to sweep Old Boys to one side in those dangerous rushes of close footwork. If Old Boys can counter that play then the match will resolve itself into a fiftyfifty chance either way. Kaierau’s back play cannot be taken as a guide as to what will happen. There will bo no lob passing from tho base of Old Boys’ scrum for Delves to profit from. There will be no quarter given O’Keeffe by the quick breakaways, Harding and Curtaync —always supposing they keep on side. Delves will be effectively marked and will probably function no better than he did against Marist. Much the same state of ffairs will face Old Boys. If Technical Old Boys cannot succeed in footwork in the van one can see them employing their backs. Old Boys’ effort then should be to smother the attack at either O’Keeffe or (Delves. It* that succeeds and the bail fails to reach the wings, then Delves will probably try that stab-punting, either to Spriggens or to the centre of Old Boys’ field. This phase of play will be dangerous for the reds, but if they have the ability to counter it one might reasonably assume that the red backs will be allowed to function and Technical Old Boys, standing up close, will endeavour to smash them (it their weak point. In all these reasonings one has accepted what looks like a foregone conclusion that Technical Old Boys, even if they are not able to keep the ball at too. will be able to hook it in the

tight. The prediction is: Technical Old Boys winners if their pack plays as it did against Kaierau; if not, a fifty-fifty chance either way. Pirates v. Kaierau. These two old rivals arc to meet in tho early match on Spriggens Park and it promises to be an even tussle. There are many ready to predict another downfall for Kaierau, but the match they played against Technical Old Boyi will hard’v bo a gu :1 o as to what is likely to happen to-day. Tn tho forwards black and maroon will be evenly matched and in back play also. The prediction is; An even tussle with Kaierau just a little bit better at tho finish. Marist v. Ratana. Out on the Maori stronghold Diarist and Ratana are to try conclusions. The writer has not, seen the Maoris play this season, but on form Marist should succeed after a hard forward struggle.

Athletic 0 Otago. University A 8 Southern 8 • Alhambra 6 Zingari 6 Kaikoiai 6 Pirates 4 Union *2 Taieri u Dunedin 0 University B 0 Southland. Star 6 Pirates 4 Blues 2 Old Boys 0 [ Wai kiwi 0 NOTES AND COMMENTS Palmer, an ex-Ncw South Wales Rugby representative, is now playing in Hawke’s Bay. New South Wales has adopted a 3-4-1 scrummage formation for its Rugby representative teams. “Cooke will make a whale of a difference to Hastings, and probably to tho Bay team as well,” states a Hawke’s Bay paper. A game between Old Boys and Sydenham on Rugby Park, Christchurch, was delayed for an unusual cause. The referee (Air. C. McLachlan) got into some tight play. When the ruck dispersed he was lying on the ground apparently unconscious. With commendable presence of mind a player lifted tho referee’s band and blew’ bis whistle. Mr. McLachlan soon recovered, but, dazed from a knock on the head, relinquished his position for tho remainder of the spell. Mr. C. A. Woolley, who has been appointed superintendent, of the Wellington Fire Brigade, is an ex-Auck land Rugby football representative player. He played against Wellington at. Athletic Park in 1919. Later he changed over tn the League game, and represented New Zealand. Yugoslavian football authorities have decided that jumping with both feeton an opponent must be stopped. It generally stops the opponent. But what about jumping on an opponent with nno foot ? It is stated by senior Rugby player? in Christchurch that in the four matches in their grade two weeks ag> there were three different interpreta tinns. by referees, of th law providing when the ball is to bp considered as fairly in the scram. One referee al lowed the ball to be hooked as soon as the ball entered tho scrum, another allowed nny foot, in the front row’ to bo lifted ns soon ns the ball hnd passed two feet. Tn the two nthe T matches the law was interpreted por roctlv Tt is particularly intorostinn to find that the teams most satisfied with the application of tho scrummage law were those playing under the proper interpretation. Billy Elvey, well-known ex-Linwond back and All Blank, has decided to turn out for another season for his old club, retone, lie made his first appearance of the season last week, and 1 hough he wa? dodgy as over his |ng<s were not so willing as usual. Still. lUvey should be dangerous as r seoi**-

PLAY IN OTHER UNIONS HOW THE TEAMS STAND. It is interesting to note how various senior teams in the respective major unions of the Dominion arc faring. The fol'owing tables show positions after 1 last Saturday’s matches: j , Auckland. : Pon son by 6 I Grammar 6 II | Manukau 4 : I University •• 4 J College Rifles 3 I, Technical 3 Marist 2 Grafton 2 ' Training College <• ( Otabuhu 0 Wellington. Pet one 10 Poncke 10 ( Eastbourne 8 Oriental 8 ’ Wellington 8 Athletic 6 < Hutt 6 Berliampore 2 1 Old Boys 2 ] ; Marist 0 ( Miramar 0 ' University 0 Taranaki. North. Tukapa 4 Star 4 Stratford 3 Old Boys 3 Inglewood 2 Celtic .. 2 Clifton 0 | South. Opunako 5 Hawera 4 Patea 4 Okaiawa 4 Kaponga 3 Athletic 2 Waimate 2 El th am 0 Manawatu. Feil<ling 0.8 6 I Kia Toa 4 ’ United 4 I Old Boys 4 1 Feilding .. 0 I Massey Col 0 j Hawke's Bay. H. 5.0.8 8 : Hastings H. 5.0.8 8 ! Technical 0.8 6 ! M. 8.8.8 0 | Hastings 5 I Celtio I Tamatca 2 | Pirates. 2 i Canterbury. Sydenham 4} j Mcrivalo 44 i I Albion 4 ’Varsity 2 Old Boys 2 Christ *,hurcli 2 Linwood 1

ing back when bis aide is handy to the opposing line.—Christ church Star. Australian rules football opened the season in Melbourne on April 30, and tho remarkable hold the game has in tho Victorian capital was well illustrated. The six senior club games attracted 126,000 people, who paid £2856. Those figures are remarkable when it is borno in mind that clubs also boast huge memberships. Footscray and Carlton, for example, each have over 6000 members at 7s 6d each, who are admitted by ticket. On the opening day in 19.31 there were 101,500 spectators and tho receipts were £2601, so that, in football at least, there is not much sign of a depression in Melbourne.