FIVE RUGBY PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 4

FIVE RUGBY PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

ALMANACK’S SELECTION THREE FORWARDS; TWO BACKS The New Zealand Rugby Almanack, published in Wellington, selects the following as ‘‘The five Rugby Players of the 1938 season": R. R. King (West Coast and New Zealand), lock forward. J. M. Taylor (Otago and New Zealand) and now Wellington, full-back. E. H. Catley (Waikato;, hooker. A. A. Parkhill (Otago and New Zealand), back row forward. C. K. Saxton (Otago, South Canterbury, Southland and New Zealand), half-back. The Five Next Best. Adopting its usual practice the Almanack also selects the five players it considers the most promising. They are: P. G. Fitzgerald (South Canterbury), side row forward. C. C. Hancox (King Country), loose forward. D. B. Herron (Southland), lock, or side row forward. W. I. Perriam (Otago), centre three-quarter. W. C. Weenink (Buller 1 , wing three-quarter. Hancox was born at Wanganui ana learnt his football at the Ohakune District High School under the coaching of Mr. T. A. Blyth, the 1902-3-4-O half-back. Comment on Wanganui Football. ‘‘ln reviewing the form shown it appears that the weakness was at half-back and first five-eighth, the speedy and clever outsides receiving the ball too late to make the best use of it,” states the Almanack, in a review of Wanganui football last season. "The forwards were a solid lot, with Davidson a good captain ana showing out standing football nimrelf. Tills player again failed to receive the attention of the North Island selectors, though his form has been right up to the required standard. . . . Burgess and Barton, and a promising young player, Shewan, made up a capable and fast three-quarter line. Burgess was a vastly improved placet, being probably the fastest wingei i*New Zealand, whilst Barton again revealed his class in many ways. Hook, the ex-Aucklander. developed into a first-class second live-eighth and his absence through injuries for Belina* games was most unfortunate. Dickie was not up to standard, whilst neither Chamberlain nor McLennan were m the ability required al half-back. Welsh again proved to be a versat It player, and was the best of the fullbacks tried, but is too good an attacking player to be placed on the last line of defence. "New forwards who impressed were Collins, Dickson, Wehi (‘‘Matthews and Northover, while Davidson, F irmin (another worthy of notice from the North Island selectors), Goldsbury McDonald and W. Thompson, were all again in form.” taihape rugby (By "Mark.") A feature of the match between Taihape Old Boys and Taihape Count i last Saturday, was the excellent display given by some of the newcomci R. Sanders, the Old Boys first liveeighth, was perhaps the best back on the ground, being resourceful on a.tack and sound on defence. Last jcai he played centre for the Auckland Training College—a team that finished •veil up in the competition ana wa_ regarded as the fittest combination in the championship. Sanders oroke away several times on Saturday and had'he been supported the result ol Ihe the match might have been clilfcrent. When Ross and Sanders understand each other's play better they should develop into a strang combination. Both are very good on attack but Sanders is the better defensive player. . .. Another newcomer who caugni eye of the writer was F. Stuckey, an ex-Feilding player, who was entrusted with Country's last line of derencc Stuckey has a safe pair of lianas and

is a powerful kicker. He never looked like making a mistake on Saturuay, and has strong claims as the laihape representative full-back. btuckey played for Feilding the season before last, and prior lo reaching senior status he was a Manawatu junior representative and North Old Boys junior player. Like Sanders, he is an acquisition to Taihape footm'. C. Ford, ex-Manawatu and Feilding representative player, was another newcomer who stood out in Saturday's match. He hooked for the Country team, and is a tiger for work. He was one of the best, if not the best, forward on the ground, and a lot more will be heard of him. The Old Boys’ pack displayed sluggishness. and Gregory was one of the I chief offenders. Maybe Jack was a i little short of wind, but strict training will remedy this. And speaking ot training reminds me that Jack (veils, the Old Boys’ coach, and ex All Black, who is away on holiday at the moment, but will be back again shortlj, is determined to exclude from ‘-he team any player who will not train regardles of ability. The country team’s coach, W. Pine, has also stressed the value of training, and appeals to his boys to do their best in this connection, though he realises that they have not the same facilities as the town players. H. Marshall and Hekenui were the ' pick of the Country backs, and were a tower of strength to their side. Marshall is an ex-Marton Old Boys player and an exceptionally good place kick who should gain many points for his side per medium of his boot. Last Saturday’s game wgs fast, open, and spectacular, and more contests of this kind will restore Rugby to its former glory. Keen interest is being taken in the match between Kaierau and Taihape Country, at Taihape, next Saturday.

Taihape Old Boys travel to Wanganui to play Wanganui and Old Boys on Spriggens Park, in the principal attraction in the river city.