FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 May 1936, Page 3

FOOTBALL

LEAGUE RUGBY. (Contributed). Is League Rugby going to be the King Pin of the day? is a question asked by many people at the present time? in the last two years; many of the best players in New Zealand have changed their code. The simplest-an-swer to this question is that, “the Rugby code at the present time is bej ing played at such a shockingly low standard.” Spectators are not being given a decent exhibition of football anywhere in New Zealand, for the simple reason that players when playing forget that they are playing for the spirit and sportsmanship of the game. They merely seem to be meeting each other on the fields with a fighting spirit and not a playing spirit. It is terribly disheartening for spectators to see a really hard, willing game being interrupted all the time by continual fighting. The Rugby Unions say, “What has happened to 'our patronage at the football games?” The answer is “That people are not paying their money to see continual fighting; so they either go and see a decent clean game of League or stay away altogether.” Then again, there is the selection of All Black teams. With last year’s selections there were many disappointments, not only with players but with the general public. It seems that our selectors cannot do away with the oldtimers, and so bring them to the front every time.' Apparently they do not stop to survey the numbers of younger colts in New Zealand football that are not only excellent players., but lads that are full of vim and vigour. It seems a tremendous, pity that more of these younger players cannot be selected to form All Black teams. We have players such as Hemi and Smith, not to mention numerous others, who were cast aside last year to make room for older players. It is not a bit of wonder that these players have gone over to the League code. There is no possible doubt about the fact that the selectors were endeavouring to send to England last year more experienced and learned players than young men who have not perhaps travelled before. But they also must take into consideration that these men are getting old and they must sooner or later retire from the game, so why not start now by encouraging the younger players of the day. To gain this encouragement these players have to be givep the chance that others have had in past years. If this is done in the selection of this year’s All Black team it is almost an assured thing that Rugby will be followed with a keener interest through the seasons of the future. It will, also, no doubt, help to pull the game together .and make the players play better football, because they will then see that there also may be a chance for them to represent New Zealand in overseas games.