WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 6

WANGANUI RUGBY

TO-DAY’S THREE MATCHES FORM OF TEAMS REVIEWED FORECASTS OF THE PLAY (By “Cross-bar.”) It is difficult as yet to assess the form of tue competing teams in the Metropolitan Rugby Union’s senior competition. Technical Old Boys are to challenge Old Boys this afternoon in tne opening game at headquarters and Marist and Kaierau will play at three o’clock. Pirates and Katana, according to their own view of things, have been “relegated to the cactus,’’ which, in ordinary language, means that their matcii is set down for the Racecourse. It is timed for tffiee o’clock also. Kaierau and Marist. Kaierau lias left an impression that improvement would be needed in the pack if the team is to continue in winning vein in keeping with th'c same trend as last year. Tne writer did not :-ec the match played against Katana and therefore is somewhat at a disadvantage in trying to base a calculation on what is likely, to happen to-day. Marist, on the other hand, has shown that the team is possessed of a very fair pack, due which, in the opening match of the season, shaped much better than the maroons. Last Saturday, however, in the second issue of the season, the greens fell below expectations in the van and allowed Technical Old Boys to perform well against them. That match was at 1.30 and was ccrtftinly played under poor conditions, but if .Marist aspire to eclipse Kaie.au they will have to do better. On G mu.-t not overlook, however, that Technical Old Boys have a team which shapes much better than the force, of last year, and in open play can equal the best in the union. That thought, coupled with the memory that the match with Marist was played largely during a hail storm, prompts J.n assumption that the greens will provide Kaierau with a solid opposition this afternoon. Forward one might reasonably expect green dominance, but in back movements, defensively and aggressivelv both, Kaierau should call the tune. On that line of thought the prediction will be: A win for Kaierau. Technical Old Boys v. Old Boys. This game promises to be one (if the brightest of the year, notwithstanding t.he°fact that lhe'dcfcat inflicted on Old Boys last week by Waverley is still of poignant memory. Old Boys have improved their team considerably by ' bringing Nicholls into the back line, and also Barton, of the King Country Union. Hunter, who played half-back i last year, has been recovering from an operation to his nose, and is almost ready for the field again. He is not likely to play to-day, however, unless there is a drastic need for him. Forward, the team will not have the services of Clay, but it is presumed that if the side is out-hooked it will sc k to use its weight to‘advantage. Technical Old Boys will field a typical side, very fit, fast and able to back up well in every phase of loose play. In that trend it should bo more than a match for Old Boys. Technical Old Boys, but for injuries to players, would have probablv finished much better against Waverley on the latter team’s home ground in the opening match of the ■year. As it was, the side managed to score three tries against the side “over the border.” Last Saturday Technical Old Boys more than hold their own with Marist. and if they can do that with the green van to-day’s 1 looks a likely thing for them. Old Boys’ improvement lias to l;O assessed, however, and assuming that last Saturday’s defeat will act as a spur, the prediction will be a fifty-fifty chance either way. Pirates and Katana. Whether it be apt or the term “relegated to the cactus ’ ’s as full of meaning for critics as 'well as players. In other words, the best la.d schemes of many a team have gone sadly astray on the Racecourse grounds. Some plavers will tell you that the wind is different over there, others that the grounds don’t seem to be straight —there are several excuses. Pirates and Ratana are to be matched there this afternoon. The writer has not seen the Ratana team play, but, assuming that it is below the form of last year, and there is ground for that assumption, Pirates should win. Still, anything is likely to happen “out m the cactus.” THREE MEN IN FRONT NEW ZEALAND SCRUMS WELLINGTON CLUBS’ ACTION ( Per Press Association. ) WELLINGTON. May 8. In view of the motion passed at this week’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union that clubs should respect the decision to have three men in the front row of the scrum, as decided at the annual meeting of the New Zea land Rugby Union, the Wellington clubs which last week played a “diamond” scrum, decided to have three men io front to-morrow. The clubs include Poneke, Old Boys, Wellington, Eastbourne. Hutt and Athletic.