RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15321, 23 August 1923, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUSTRALIANS' DEFEAT,

CAUSE AND EFFECT.

The opinion of Mr E. E. Booth on the Rugby match between the Australians and a combined Wellington-Manawatu-Horowhenua team at Wellington, which the combined side won by 29 points to 16, are given in the N.Z. Times'. The writer says:—■

"Contrary to general expectations, the Australian team failed to win their initial engagement of the tour. General conditions favoured Micm, the weather resembling a typical Sydney winter day with clear blue sky and no wind. The turf was, however, sodden and heavy. New South Wales were supposedly a finished combination, whereas' the -local team was not. The visitors, however, did not show their true form, their display almost suggesting stage-fright on the part of the young backs, or else the after-effects of a bad s'ea journey. They were outplayed in almost every department of the game, particularly so in the first spell. After the interval, however, with backs interchanging positions, the visitors' form improved vastly. They demonstrated that they undoubtedly possess great possibilities. They certainly merit some kudos for their plucky finishing qualities, without which the match would perhaps' have lacked its sparkling character and have approached a fiasco.

This fine showing was highly attributable to the vanguard, who improved all the way, excelling in the open rucks, fash short passing rushes, and occasional dribbling. The forwards actually did all the scoring in the second spell. Their form and revival was the most redeeming feature of the Australian play during the day. Whilst the'visitors' showing was faulty, the Wellington team 'played probably their best game this -season. Apart from the fine work by their forwards', Wellington's fast aggressive back attacks were the chief feature of the match and the main factor in their success. Those backs maintained a continual pressure on the visitors. The success of their movements was very largely aided by the indifferent tackling of the opposition and the fact that the blue backs stood much too far apart and away from the Wellington line of attack. This lack of solidity gave the local men every chance to work their movements with time, speed and field space. In scrummaging for possession the visitors had much success, but the blacks heeled with more precision and celerity, besides making more us'e of their opportunities. The full-back and one wing were not reliable, playing nervously, fielding badly and -lacking in defence. A finished passing movement was a rarety and the kicking was not well judged, generally lacking length and direction. Wellington incurred by far the greater majority of penalties, the re-, suit of lifting the feet in the s'crum and offside play.

The game all through was very open, bright and spectacular, and a feast to the assembled 13,000 persons. Whilst the Wellington cohesion was' almost perfect, that of the blues was very faulty. Their heeling out was alow, and the clearance from the scrum was consequently also slow. The central backs' fielding was poor and their handling also being faulty. Most of their transfers lacked force, direction and timing. Had the New South Wales goal kicking not been so erratic the margin of winning points would have been considerably less, as the many penalties awarded against Wellington offered several splendid opportunities.

WAIPA CHAMPIONSHIPS,

The results in the Waipa Rugby Union championships are as' follows: Seniors.

Though Ngahape are practically ■third, they withdrew from the competition after they had played seven matches, therefore theoretically Rovers would he third.

Methodists have succeeded in getting through the season without having 5 their line crossed, the only scores against them being four penalty goals.

P. W. L. D. Pts. Pirongia 9 8 — 1 ’ 17 Te Awamutu 9 G 2 1 13 Ngahape 9 2 7 4 Rovers 9 1 8 ", 2

Juniors. P. w. L. D. Pts 1 . Methodists . ■ Parawera 7 7 7 5 2 — 14 10 Rovers . '7 4 3 ■ 8 Te Awamutu 7 . i 6 2 Narahaoe 7 1 6 * 2