RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18004, 26 April 1930, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MATAMATA UNION. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “Old Timer.”) Congratulations and good wishes to f)an Ensor and Jacli Stevenson, two well-known Matamata forwards, who entered the ranks of "the Benedicts this Easter time. The application of the Putaruru Union for permission to play its teams under the jurisdiction of the .Matamata Union for one season has been the subject of much discussion amongst local followers of the game during the past fortnight. All are agreed that it is most unfortunate that the application came in so late, with the .draw all aranged, and opening day to-day. But nobody wants to see anybody go without a game, and no doubt all the difficulties will be met and, overcome. As . a temporary measure the two Putaruru teams are to meet each other, and the junior and third grade teams will meet the boys in their class at the week-end. It is to be hoped the matter will be discussed and settled by the Waikato Union before the following week’s matches are played. Depending as it does on afforestation, and how many more millions the Government intend to spend on Arapuni, the football population of the Putaruru district is uncertain from month to month; there may be very few here to-day and a plethora tomorrow. Judging from last season’s representatives, the new teams are not going to strengthen Matamata very materially when it comes to inter-union matches, but there may be a lot of new blood by that time. The local Referees’ Association appear to be fortunate in that they have a man or two to spare after all fixtures have been catered for. W. t). MoDonald, • who has handled some big matches in his time, is a welcome addition. It is harder to get referees than Prime Ministers, and there are not so many anxious to take on the job. Football lovers generally, who will be unable to see the British team in action, welcome the decision to broadcast the matches. KICK INTO TOUCH. RULE RE-INTRODUCED. SOUTHERN COMMENT. Commenting upon the decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union to revert to the old kick-into-touch rule, the Christchurch Press says in an editorial:— The decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union to revert to the old kick-into-touch rule this season is prudently designed to meet special circumstances. The matches with the British Rugby team will be played under the international rules and not under the modified rules now familiar in New Zealand; and it Is essential that the representative players of the Dominion should have opportunity to develop and practise the game under the conditions by which, in part, they will be tested. The players and other followers of the game who will fill the; stands and banks when the matches are played with the visitors, will also benefit by getting some previous knowledge of the way in which

the change of rules changes the game. The new rule, when adopted in New ' Zealand, was intended to speed up the game, to eliminate as far as possible a tiresome succession of line-outs, and to strengthen defensive play by the backs. The visiting Australian team gave an excellent demonstration of i what could he achieved by the ope- , ration of the rule, their back play being particularly effective. ; ~The old rule, on the other band, gives better opportunities to the forwards and encourages a style of play similar to that of the Springboks. " Whether in the time available the New Zealand players will be able with complete success to relearn the tactics ai.a strategy best reserved by the old rule remains to be seen; but in providing for special dispensations to Unions desiring to play club matches under New Zealand rules this season, the Union has perhaps risked something. if many such dispensations are granted, the change will lose its value, and many players may gam their only or their first serious experience cf play under the old rule when they meet their opponents in the field- It is therefore to be hoped that provincial Unions will loyally make t.be best of the New Zeaiand Union’s decision and do nothing to limit any further the already limited opportunities their representatives will have of working up to a good standard of play under the old kick-into-touch rule. . DRAMATIC VICTORY. FRANCE DEFEATS SCOTLANDA magnificent drop-kick in the last minute of the game gave France a •dramatic and thoroughly deserved victory over Scotland, the Rugby champions, by a dropped goal and a try to a try, at Paris, after a game which was notable for the keenness of the play and the number of injuries to the players. As dramatic as the ending, so was the beginning. Within three minutes from the start Bioussa plunged over the Scottish line from a five yards’ scrum, and the crowd of 40,000 people which had invaded the Colombes Stadium yelled hoarse. Stung by this reverse, Scotland attacked strongly. On three occasions the French line was threatened by Simmers’s strong runs, and on the third the left wing went over in the extreme corner. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Right through the match was contested at a terrific pace. Injuries were frequent, but neither side let up, with two minutes to go, it seemed as if the game must end in a draw. Then from a movement started on the right wing by Houdet the ball came to Magnanou, who dropdep a magnificent goal from 25 yards. Reuter’s correspondent says that for all their fine physique, Scotland was beaten for speed and virility generally. There may be complaints from the Scottish side that the Frenchmen were rough, but from the spectator’s standpoint France was only cleanly vigorous, and the admirable control which Mr Hellewell exercised made it impossible for them to exceed the rules. Langrish failed U scent danger until it was 100 late. He fielded the kicks that came to him but without stemming them- His kicking was flurried, and rarely did he gain much ground. Scotland’s backs never seemed to know what to do with the hall, when they got it. They generally finished by running across the field or taking a gamble on a punt ahead. Only Simmers, -Hume, and Elmslie were the .best of them, and Waters was outstanding among the forwards, particularly in tackling.