Rugby

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 26, 17 August 1949, Page 5

Rugby

CLUB FOOTBALL IMPROVED VERY CONSIDERABLY: HOW WILL BAY TEAM FARE? (By “Kai ti tiro”) It may have been through the caustic remarks of correspondents in the Beacon last week or through the leading article, which appeared in the same issue, but the rugby games played in the Whakatane Union on Saturday produced some of the finest football seen in these parts for some time. Although the statements in some of the letters may not have been entirely correct, for instance Bay of Plenty has been represented twice in an All' Black team, they do indicate the general feelings of the ordinary person, who has gone along to see the games week after week and been presented with dull, uninteresting football brightened only by flashes of a near brawl.

I am not going to add further but if those letters have done nothing else but urge players to settle down and play rugby as it should be played then they will have dene something worth while. There is the talent available, as was proved last Saturday, but something has been lacking. The exploitation of this talent rests largely with club coaches and managers. If they won’t do anything then rugby at Whakatane or anywhere in the Bay of Plenty cannot hope to be raised to any reasonable standard. Wairaka Impressive

Undoubtedly the most impressive team in the Whakatane Union this season has been Wairaka. Throughout the year they have played better football than other clubs and in their general play there has been the impression that they have tried to play fast open rugby. To some extent I think they have succeeded because they have trained hard throughout and in a manner which would have been an example to city clubs. In the teams they have met so far they have undoubtedly been the fitter combination.

Against Te Teko their fitness gave them definite superiority and it told in the end. Although beaten in the scrums and lineouts their amazing backing up and quickness to see an opening more than offset this. Wairaka have played good football but on Saturday they played better than they have ever done before. It was obvious that hard compulsory training had succeeded again.

It was interesting to see the sporting attitude in which Taneatua and Poroporo decided to play off after they had finished their Bracken Cup game. They played clean hard football and the resulting draw was a really true indication of the teams. To the spectator it was a marathon game but the attitude adopted by the players contained the true spirit of sportsmanship and something that should be seen on the Whakatane football fields every week-end. How Will They Fare?

Like most enthusiasts I am also wandering how Bay of Plenty will fare aoainst Australia. On their recent performances they have improved considerably although the obvious drawback with the team has been the lack of training and coaching together. Before Saturday the team should have two solid practises but I am inclined to think that if they can last the pace they will not give much away.

I believe that there has been one alteration in the team. Delamere is not available and his place at centre is being taken by Martin, who will be replaced by B. McGougan on the wing. While it is pleasing to see McGougan and his valuable boot in the. team again I am not altogether sure that this is a wise move of the selectors. It must be remembered that McGougan is just recovering from a knee injury and if he is injured on the knee again, necessitating his leaving the field, then Bay of Plenty will continue playing with only 14 men. There are to be no replacements in games against the Australians. I do not suggest that McGougan does not deserve his place but players to meet the Australians must be 100 per cent fit and that goes also for the other members of the Bay of Plenty team. The selection of the senior Bay of Plenty team has this year been dene with a minimum of criticism from the sub-unions and generally there has been satisfaction with the final teams. But the same cannot be said for the- junior team.

Junior Selection In the team that travelled to Waikato only two Whakatane players were selected and they were emergencies. One player from Tauranga made the grade. The Tauranga Union complained and now 'n the team to meet Poverty Bay notice they have two players in he team. Again Whakatane has

two. One is an emergency and the other still- uncertain whether he plays or. not, the selectors have hot yet decided. It does not seem possible that Whakatane is not able to supply more players. I have seen junior games in each of the main sub-unions and it is just as high at Whakatane. Perhaps if the Whakatane Union complained something might be done but it is significant when one glances through the team. The three selectors came from Rotorua, Opotiki and Te Puke. In the last game against Waikato Bay of Plenty was completely outclassed. I leave it to you to draw your own conclusions. B. McGOUGAN TO FLAY FOR BAY OF PLENTY £ There have been two changes in the Bay of Plenty rugby team to meet Australia at Whakatane on Saturday. M. Delamere, Opotiki, is not available and Martin, Rotorua, is being moved in from the wing to replace him at centre. B. McGougan, Whakatane, has now been selected to play in Martin’s former position.

Correction To Junior Team There is a correction in the junior Bay of Plenty rugby team to meet Poverty Bay at Whakatane on Saturday. G. Bennett is from Tauranga and not from Taneatua as was published on Monday.