RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 18

RUGBY FOOTBALL

UONG PASS FROM THE

SCRUM

VIEWS OF ALL BLACKS’ CAPTAIN LETTER TO NEW ZEALAND UNION ITHE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON. September 21. Agreement was expressed by the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union at a meeting tonight with the views expressed by N. A. Mitchell, the captain of the All Blacks who toured Australia, in a letter “written, not with the hope of any personal gain, but rather to give something backs to the game which has given me a lot” The burden of Mitchell’s letter was an expression of regret at the failure of Rugby teams in New Zealand to employ the long pass from the base of the scrum. “I think you will agree with me that the South Africans in 1537 taught us the value of the long pass from the base of the scrum." wrote Mitchell. “We, in Australia this year, employed the long pass, and I think proved to doubting Thomases that, for three-quarters play, this long pass wag essential. Yet on returning to Dunedin, and having seen Otago play four Ranfurly Shield games, I am amazed to see that the only side employing this method was South Canterbury, with Saxton as half-back. To my mind, it is absolutely essential to employ this long pass; otherwise threequarters’ play in New Zealand will not advance.

“If I remember correctly, I think this recommendation came from a committee set up to go' into the lessons learned from the Springboks, and yet we find that the only ones using it in their clubs are those who have had actual playing experience against this longer pass. It therefore seems that until the present generation of players grows up, and begins coaching, these lessons will not be heeded, for speaking from my own experiences, the greater number of the older generation seem to loathe to scrap a formation which was so successful in their day; but which was behind a 2-3-2 scrum. With the South African tour so close, and so much at stake, something should be done to give our players every chance against such formidable opponents.” Members of the committee expressed themselves as very grateful to Mitchell for his letter, and said they were in complete agreement with his views. SOUTH CANTERBURY BEATEN WELLINGTON WINS AFTER POOR DISPLAY [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) TIMARU, September 21. The Wellington touring team beat South Canterbury this afternoon by 17 points to 6 after a poor display. The visiting backs, who had a good share of the ball, were the deciding factor, Sargisson giving a good display and making numerous openings for the wings, who were prevented from scoring more frequently only by the resolute tackling of the forwards. The forwards were evenly matched in the tight, but the visitors were superior in the scrums and loose. For the winners tries were scored by Eastwood, Paterson, Brien. and Gunn. One was converted by Gilmore, who also kicked a penalty. For the losers, Donaldson kicked a penalty and Adkins scored.

FINAL RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH SOUTHLAND TEAM FOR SATURDAY (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) INVERCARGILL, September 21.

Hie Southland team to play Ashburton in the final Ranfurly Shield match of the season at Invercargill on Saturday will be:— J. Purdue; E. Calvert, R. G. Mahony, R. Pickering: A. G. Sutherland, P. Grace; C. K. Saxton; V. L. George, W. Sherrills. C. George, G. H. Graham, B. Herron, S. Purdue, T. Metcalfe, W. L. Crawford. A. W. Wesney has been transferred to Dunedin and is not eligible. Saxton, the All Black half-back, has completed the necessary residential qualification and will play for a second union in one season. ASSOCIATION NAVY TOO GOOD FOR AIR FORCE MARGIN OF SIX GOALS The Association football team from R.M.S. Achilles ably defended the prestige of the Navy at English Park yesterday afternoon when it overwhelmed the Royal Air Force (Wigram) team by 7 goals to 1. Achilles improved as the game advanced, putting on five good goals after a lead of 2-0 at half-time.

But for the brilliant keeping of Elmes, the Air Force goalie, Achilles might have rattled on a dozen goals. Both the Achilles full-backs knew the style of game required in their department and gave a spund exhibition of defensive play. The halves supported their forwards at every opportunity, with the result that the van had a feast of the ball throughout the game.

The forwards, particularly in the second spell, gave a great display. The three inside forwards had thrust and accuracy and were never out “-of position for the high dropping centres steered in by the outside men. The most brilliant man in the Air Force side was Elmes. the keeper. Time and time again he brought off almost impossible saves by hi *;i uncanny anticipation, and he must rank as a capable understudy to Mcßae, the Canterbury keeper. The other Air Force players suffered through lack of fast ball control, inaccurate passing. and indifferent positional play. De Lange, who went to full-back after halftime, gave a courageous display, and was always there to fill the breach, when an opening was made. In the forwards Lamond and Clifford-Jones were . most prominent, and were unlucky in‘not scoring on at least two occasions. The teams were;— , H.M.S. Achilles —Whitehouse: Cotterell, Wakefield; Barnaby, Cox, Shields: Wilson, Brown, Hindmarsh, Chatte, Humphrey. Royal Air Force —Elmes; Homer, McMillan; Clifford-Jones, Voysey*, Hazel; Kit to, Lamond, Oe Lange, Manson,. Jolly. The Game Achilles attacked from the start, good play by Wilson and Humphrey resulting In a poster from a hard drive by Brown. A series of corners to Achilles found Elmes, the Air Force goalie, safe. A great effort by Clifford-Jones took play to the Achilles goal-mouth, but De Lange was ruled offside when in a good position. At last Wakefield, the Achilles fullback. slanted in a beautiful shot from the field which Elmes had no hope of stopping. HJVI.S. Achilles 1. Air Force 0. Achilles came again, only a great save by Elmes off Hindmarsh keeping the attackers out. Achilles scored, however, when Chatte headed a nice centre from Wilson into the net. The half-time score was; H.M.S. Achilles 2, Air Force 0. Achilles attacked early, in the second tall. Cox placing nicely to Brown, whose I