EYES ON THE RUGBY FIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 4

EYES ON THE RUGBY FIELD

(By "

“CROSS-BAR").

FIXTURES May 17.—Australian Universities v. Auckland University. May 20. »■-Wanganui plays Taihape at Taihape. May 20. —Australian Universities V. New Zealand University (first Test), at Auckland. May 24.—Australian Universities v. Victoria College, at Wellington. May 27. —Cup matches. May 27.—Australian Universities v. New Zealand University (second Test), at Dunedin. June 3.—Wanganui plays Taranaki, at Wanganui. Seven-a-sidc tournament in the morning, proceeds for the clubs. Four teams have been tried and they have not been able to appreciate Kaierau’s weaknesses and exploit them. Despite the indications given so far that they are invincible, the maroons have their 4 4 tender” spots. It remains to be seen whether Marist can play into them and win. If they cannot win will they succeed in crossing the Kaierau line? Hard rucking forwards are still Kaieran’s strength. They have solid, rather than brilliant backs and with the protection afforded them those backs can bring about the downfall of the best. An example of that protection was revealed in some of the moves initiated by McGregor, at half-back, and carried on by Morgan at first five-eighth. Appreciating the force he had in front of him Moi-gan stood almost directly behind his half, and I ‘a chain” from him. Three times, almost in succession. McGregor’s passes failed to reach him. tqp ball rolling along the ground for the last lap or two. Morgan was able to pick the ball up and make ground in a run. or put his boot under it and run the Pirate forwards off their feet with accurate line finding. Strong play by the forwards enabled Kaierau to get away with that easy play in the backs.

Rugby is a game based on two cardinal principles—physical fitness and team work. If a team has physical fitness in the forwards and backs, and those forwards appreciate the value of team work, which involves legitimate protection of their backs, nobody can blame the backs if they avail themselves of the protection afforded. On Saturday Jack Morgan knew just how capable his van was and stood “wide” from his half and, under cover of the protection from in front, accomplished a great deal for his team.

That type of play may be successful so far as the club itself is concerned, but it cannot give players who indulge in it an unqualified right to positions in the representative team. Wanganui’s objective of the moment is to counter Taranaki on June 3, and. judged on pas' experience, the difficulty will be to field a team of forwards capable of holding their own with the opposition, let alone imparting any protection to the backs. The selector, therefore, in choosing his first five-eighth, must choose a man who does not rely on the same effective protection the Kaierau forwards are able to give their backs, but more on a man who is quicker and can use his quickness from a first fiveeighth’s true attacking position. A five eighths who adopts the same position as Morgan did against Kaierau on Saturdnv is morelv looking for protection What would happen if he did not get it can be left to his own imagination

It is true that with an accurate boot a first five-eighth so placed can be of great assistance to his side in line finding. But of what use is that if the forwards are beaten in lineout play. With such a pack in the field Kaierau have glorious caances to prove that they can attack in fast rearguard actions, moving up, man to man. and combining in a way that is appreciated by tiie average Rugby supporter.

Looking back over Saturday’s play onp is reminded of weaknesses in the Kaierau backs as an attacking chain from half to wing. The first try was scored by Burgess from a blind side movement. He was “on the move” when McGregor gave him the ball. Byres scored the second when the backs were spoiled from functioning. The third was another blind side movement to Burgess. The fourth was due almost entirely to the Kaierau forwards’ penchant for following up.

Taking those four moves as a guide one cannot rule otherwise than that, despite all the possession they received, the Kaierau backs were not effective as an attacking chain. They badly missed Davies and Morgan undoubtedly played the correct game when, realising that Smith was well marked by a player who knew how to tackle, he used his boot. What one may pertinently ask, however, is “Would Smith have played better football if Morgan had comd in closer •o McGregor and moved up to take his passes?” The answer to that question probably answers why Morgan is not first five-eighth in the representative team.

Pirates failed to counter the maroon forwards. That, in a nutshell accounts for the blacks’ loss of the game. Morgan was the player whose play was so disconcerting to the losers. Time after time, he sent them back with powerful line kicks and he marked the game with a note of solidity rather than brilliance. Ho made his presence felt to some effect, too, as a goai-kicker. There is no more accurate kick in the Union. McGregor, at the base of the Kaierau pack, has been protected by good forwards throughout the season. One would like to see his performance against a beaten pack before definitelycrediting him with representative honours. Up to date he has done well, but a half that could no do well with such a pack in front of him would - nt ho ft half. One thing that appeals abous McGregor’s play is his ability to pass the ball without straightening his body, a valuable asset in a pivot.

Osman, the Kaierau winger, was well marked by Wakeling on Saturday, but saw so little of the ball that he could not bo judged at all. Burgess, on the other hand, facing McGomgle. had less to contend with, but proved that he is a better winger than a full-back. His two tries scored on the blind side of the scrum were well scored, despite the fact that he was weakly opposed. Peter Stowers was entrusted with the full-back position for Kaierau and performed remarkably well. Tn pointing that out one has not overlooked how effectively protected he was by the Kaierau force in front. So strenuous was

the game in the pack that the blacks’ following up was little more than nothing.

Smith (playing at second fiveeighths) was off his game and McNeil had him splendidly marked. In consequence, the maroon attacking chain was not effective. Mutimer, at centre, suffered in like measure. It is a long time since Wanganui has seen a club field such hard rucking forwards as those Kaierau fielded on Saturday. It is true that W. Firmin was absent, but, apparently, was not missed. Gay Lockett is playing remarkably . good football this season. Byres, playing as close to rule 17 (offside) as possible, was always a source of danger to Pirates. Dawson and Pairama both stood out in the maroon pack and C. Tasker did his duty as a hooker. Throughout the game the Kaierau pack were masters of the ball. Under such circumstances the blacks could not expect to win.

Pirates’ forwards, appreciating the worth of the opposition, played with as much vim as they were capable. In fact it was their best effort to date, but it was against a superior force. They could not hook the ball and were occupied in their battle in the tight that they could not effect spoiling movements among the opposing backs.

In the backs the blacks were handicapped by Duncan at half. He was badly off his game and while some of the cause may have been due to his own play most of it could be attributed to the spoiling efforts of the maroons. These contrasted vividly with those of the blacks. Nearly every time Duncan got the ball he was harassed. In judging him, however, one must be guided by the recollection that he is Wanganui’s representative half. If he cannot play well against Kaierau, will he be able* to do any better against Taranaki?

Gibbons was the only back Pirates fielded who had any appreciation of his position and the requirements thereof. He suffered because of Duncan, and also had to contend with the very virile Kaierau spoilers. The maroons physical fitness and speed in breaking fror- the van played havoc with every move the black backs made. McNeil distinguished himself by solid tackling and undoubtedly justified his position on that score. Spriggens, at centre, wa‘ completely bottled up and the two wings, Wakeling and McGonagle, rarelv saw the ball all day. McMinn, the black custodian, had a hard position to fill. Unlike Stowers, his vis-a-vis, he had to meet fast followers up every- time he was in action. For a long time he maintained his form, but towards the last was unable to cope with the tide.

Kaierau deserved to win and did so by posessing a pack that could command the ball. Solidity and not brilliance in the backs close beside the scrum, plus the weak marking of one winger by Pirates, did the rest.

When two teams, both of them noted for back play, are matched the public invariably looks for something spectacular, forgetting, perhaps, that two good rearguards at each other are more likely to prevent than encourage the type of football most desired. A good back is usually able to tackle and spoil. On Saturday Technical Old Boys and Wanganui itnd Old Boys were matched in the early match of the afternoon. It was won’and lost on fumbling. Old Boys fumbled more than the opposition and. lost.

There was one really bright movement in the game—that which paved the way for the Technical Old Boys’ winger, Inglis, to score. Brisco, the other wing three-quarter of this team, when a scrum got down near Old Boys’ line, was presented with an opportunity to play as an extra five-eighths and provide an overlap. A cleanly hooked ball resulted in a passing movement from O’Keeffe to Brisco to Wishart, to F. Thomson, to Brown, to Inglis, leaving the last-named with a clear run in. It was the one passing movement which maintained an unbroken chain right out to the wing and it deserved to succeed.

Two factors contributed to Technical Old Boys’ win—Hutchinson as a spoiler and the play of Wishart as first five-eighth. It is a pity this team could not retain Wishart. He played for Technical College last year and is now at Training College. His presence made a great deal of difference to the team.

Rogers played a safe game at fullback for Technical Old Boys and gave very definite displays of how a back should tackle. He is inclined to wait for the bounce of the ball, however, and to misjudge its flight. Brisco got few chances on the wing. There was a duel between him and Bullock-Douglas all day and, it would be safe to say that honours were even. Brisco tackled well, but was beaten once.

During the latter part of the game Technical Old Boys were presented with opportunities to score and did not accept them. Old Boys, likewise, had chances given them, but fumbling in the backs spoilt all hope. Possession of the ball came Old Boys’ way far more in the second spell than in the first, but slowness in getting it away from the scrum, plus erratic handling, killed every move. Gibson was badly off colour at handling. Chamberlain and Egan, too, had many lapses in this direction. Chamberlain shows great promise as p first five-eighth and what is so pleasing about h’s play was the fact that he always moves up to his passes. In Wishart. however, he met a back of outstanding solidity and could not penetrate as usual. Old Boys’ forwards need a good deal of shaking up. They must play in such a way that gives the impression that the" really want to win and not hover round as though the match can be won by the backs alone. Saturday’s performance suggested that this side has got down to leaving everything to the rearguard, forgetting that the first essential of a good Rugby team is a pack of forwards. Old Boys’ van has the weight and has the speed, too. probably. but the life in front is sadly absent until near the close of the game.

Technical Old Boys, appreciating that the main thrusts of the opposition would be made by the backs if at all possible, sent. Hutchinson up to spoil their line. Chamberlain, Old Boys’

first five-eighth, had a lot to contend with and. considering everything, came through well. He had a tendency to run too far however, and thus rob

Egan and Gibson of chances to feed the wings properly. When the ball left Chamberlain’s hands Egan’s vis-a-vis was diving for .the tackle. There was this contrast in Chamberlain’s play and that, of Morgan (Kaierau). —Morgan sought always to play for his forwards and placed his hacks second; Chamberlain tried to make the play for his backs and just went a little too far.

The writer did not see the RatanaMarist match and so is unable to comment from first-hand knowledge. On the day. so it is reported, Marists were an infinitely improved side. Rat an a put up a tough fight, particularly in the forwards hut the greens withstood the pressure and more than repaid it. Congratulations to Upston on his fine kicking! Adding 13 points to a team’s total by kicking is nc< mean achievement in these days of “diminished” goal kicking. If Katana’s opposition to Marist was as effective as is stated, then the green will ho. building high hopes of giving Kaierau all they want on Saturday week. Tf Marist cannot succeed then it can truly he said that Kaierau are invincible. In the meantime, the greens arc getting down to solid training and are indulging in team talks under a now coach. Mr. "McDonald, who coached Old Boys last year. Their hopes are high.

On Saturday the Metropolitan Rugby team journeys to Taihape in defence of the Pownall Trophy. Morgan has signified his unwillingness to play at fullback and his position has been filled by Hekenui (Ratana). This boy has been playing good football this year, and performed well against Old Bovs. It remains to be seen whether he will justifv selection. Selecting a team to plav Taihape at this stage of the season leaves the selector between two fires. He must field a team capable of holding the Union’s claim on the Pownall Trophy. At the same time he must have an eve to the experimental aspect, remembering that a team has to be picked soon to play Taranaki on June. 3. Under such circumstances it might have been wiser to give, say, McGregor (Kaierau). or Hodson (Marist) a trial at half-buck.

• Opportunity has been taken by the members of the executive of the North Taranaki Referees’ Association to farewell Mr. J. S. King. Mr. King has been Taranaki’s premier referee for the past four years, in which time he has controlled many senior Rugby Union games, representative fixtures, Ranfurly Shield matches and also international contests. Mention of Mr. King’s ability as a referee was made by the president (Mr. F. J. Eggleton). who congratulated him on the manner in which he had controlled all his games. As a referee Mr. King had been outstanding, and other referees had been able to gain valuable hints from him. On behalf of the association Mr. Eggleton presented Mr. King with an inscribed emblem and extended best wishes to him and his family for success and happiness in their new home at Trcntham. On behalf of sports bodies Mr. E. Jackson endorsed Mr. Eggleton’s remarks, and Mr. L. Better also spoke. In returning thanks Mr. King mentioned the loyalty of other referees and ex pressed the hope that they would con tinue to guard against all jealousies. If a referee worked it was only a matter of time before he reached the top oi the tree. Although he had previously refereed at Wellington and Wanganui, he considered the four years he had spent among Taranaki referees as the happiest of his career.

After a bright, strenuously-contested game last Saturday, in which the speed of the Star backs and the dash of the forwards in the loose more than counteracted the superiority of the Tukapa pack in the tight, Star turned the tables on Tukapa and thus retains its place at the head of the Rugby Union competition in Nori; Taranaki, while Tukapa drops back to second place. Stratford defeated Inglewood, gaining its second victory, while Celtic and Clifton drew. In the Southern Division Waimato defeated Opunake by a converted try and is now in the lead, a point clear of Patea, which defeated Okaiawa comfortably by 19 to 3. The southern champion team thus sustained the third defeat. Kaponga defeated Hawera Dy 11 to nil and is thus level with Opunake in third position, two points behind the leaders. Empire Old Boys defeated Eltham by 19 to 10 and is still within striking distance. The matches were played in fine weather and with a dry ball, the grounds being in good order. *

The third series of matches in theAuckland Rugby Union’s senior chain pionship was played on Saturday after noon in lino weather, the grounds being in good order after the rain which fell during the week. There was a

good attendance at Eden Park, where thy chief attraction was the meeting of University and Ponsonby. The latter team had the better of the first spell and led at half-time, but University was superior in the second hai and eventually won by a comfortable margin. The curtain-raiser was between Grafton and Training College. It was generally thought the former team would prevail, but Training College effected a surprise. College Rifles held a lead of (i—o over Grammar at half-time in their game at i Show Grounds. -Grammar came with a late run, however, and gained a victory by a margin of four points. Marist defeated Manukau at Onehunga by two tries to nil, while a close contest fit Sturges Park ended in a win for Technical College Old Boys over Otahuhu by three points. In the third series of Wellington Rugby football championship matches, decided on Saturday afternoon under splendid conditions, Wellington College Old Boys maintained their unbeaten record in the senior A division, but Eastbourne parted company with them at the top of the table tn rough being beaten by Hutt. Old Boys are now the only team in either senior A division to have maximum championship points, although Oriental and University, wh drew when they met on the previous Saturday, arc unbeaten in the second division. The senior first division matches were strenuously contested

and all had their interesting features. Petonc and Wellington, playing at Athletic Park, took time to liven up, and when they did there was keen, spectacular and lively play in plenty. Poneke proved to be too solid a proposition for Athletic at Newtown Park, and Eastbourne were not up to requirements against Hutt at the Hutt Recreation Ground. Wellington College Old Boys did not demonstrate their superiority over Marist until the second spell of the game. In the second division Oriental had a close call in their match with Upper ifutt, but University were on their game against Berhampore and won handsomely. St Patrick’s College Old Boys showed up well against Miramar, and Johnsonville scored a Comfortable win over Mclrosc-Selwyn. With four more games to be played. Oriental and University are holding the places by a point from Johnsonville and St, Patrick’s College Old Boys for promotion to the top division. A reversion to the long established custom of replacing in jured players, on which there was a ban last year, was made on Saturday. This apparently was the result of de liberations at the annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The matter of replacements, of course, is still in the hands of cap tains of teams, and in at least one case in the senior A grade on Saturday replacements were not permitted. » * ¥ ♦

The Manawatu Rugby competitions were advanced a further stage on Saturday under ideal conditions, the afternoon being fine and calm. Two senior games were played on the Oval in the presence of a large crowd ol enthusiasts, and the winning teams wore Kia Toa, who accounted for Mas soy College by 24 to nil, and Feilding Old Boys, who, in defeating Palmer stou North Old Boys by 26 to ni l played brilliant football which de lighted the spectators. In the sonici match played at Johnston Park, Feild ing beat St. Patrick’s by 10 points 1 eight. _________