Local Team Gives Wanganui Much To Think About In Grand Rugby Tussle

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1948, Page 7

Local Team Gives Wanganui Much To Think About In Grand Rugby Tussle

- 1 " (Staff "Reporter With Team.) .

Horowhenua's senior A rugby reps turned on a convincing game when they met Wanganui on Saturday.' Though it did not win the match, the team certainly gave Wanganui a lot to think about. "The toiighest challenge of the present season," was a Wanganui critic's opinion of the game. "Beaten yes, but disgraced no," were the words of Mr. Charlie Brown, one of the All Black selectors for the South Afriean tour, to a "Chronicle" reporter: "It was the inability of the forwards to hook as fast as their opponents that had the greatest to do with Horowhenua losing the game," he said "The back line put up a fine performance, but they lacked the snappy passing which should be encouraged, and which is what I want for the team which is to travel to South Africa," he added.

'j In giving the players a few 1 i hints which he thought they | 'could well cultivate, Mr. Brown said: "The half back who dive •passes will not be cons dered. |We want a half back who can Ipass to the five-eighths then 'follow up in case the pass is j dropped. If the half back is on 'the ground he is unabie to do 'this. He is to be the extra link j in the back line. The loose i forward will also not be considered as he weakens the pack by playing on the outsicle of , the scrum. We want a j.dayer ! who is in the thick of it all the time. A player who plays in the tight work can forget the thought that he is not noticecl. He is the type of player who is watched all the time." Play And Plavers One of the most iniproved players of the Horowhenua team was the Shannon representatwe, K. Tritt. He played a great game belnnd the scrum, giving his backs p^enty of jthe ball whenever possJjie. His kick-l ing for the line was an asset to nis; team. He is a young player who | should, go a-long way. The reason for his' inability to show up in thep Bush game was that he was not, given the ehances. The Bush forwards were too fast in breaking aird iTritt's passes were being intericepted* before they reached Mortimer. Playing 1a rather disappointing • game at full-back in regard to his line kicking, W. Galloway failed to show the brilliance he displaye'd inj his game against Bush. His hand-; ; ling was faultless, but he took too long to get rid of the bali on cccasions with the lesmt that he was grassed. He played a creditable game, but his place is in the back line. i ; R. Smith failed to show up to his j oi'd form and although he markedj his opponent well, he dicl not make many of the breaks for which he is noted. His opposition was strong , and it was obviouo that Wanganui 'had him well marked. ! H. Heremaia played his usu d fine game aird his solid taekling was a feature. His opponent, Henderson, was a tough proposition and it was only on occasions that he broke through. Heremaia also displayed his speed and was playing grand football. . | Playing with his customary 'dash, Gordon Sciascia showed his worth. He is fine on defence. B. Wallace played well although he was not outstanding. He is a solid tackier! and has good tuni of speed. The skipper, C. Mortimer, outshone his bush perfornlance by playing a really fine game. Being! changed from first fivc-eighths to j centre proved a wise move. The two Robinsons also improved on their Bush games. Oue noticeable feature was Ian's regrettable tendancy towards ofl'-side play. He is also inclined to play loose. W. Lincoln and N. Ngaiana were at their best and are good partners. Ngatana is definitely a good worker in the rucks while Lincoln, who tends to be a loose player, did however do good work on the side of the scrum. The remaining forwards, G. Woods, G. Bryant, R. Selby and G. Milroy all played creditable games, the best possibly being Woods, l Selby and Milroy.