Experiences Of Rugby Season Now Almost Over Provide Lessons For Future

Chronicle (Levin), 22 September 1949, Page 7

Experiences Of Rugby Season Now Almost Over Provide Lessons For Future

' ^ "Strathaird")

(By

Once more the rugby season draws to a close, a season full of excitement, victories, disappointments and defeats, a season which will be remembered for the lessons learnt. Matches played will be replayed over and over again by the fireside or in the barber's chair. Many incidents will never be forgotten.

Among these are Bruce Lind's two runaway tries at Manakau, Alf Wood's display against the Ail Blacks f u i the way Roy Robinson tack M Shehadie at Palmerston North. These are only three i of many. Numbers of enthusiasts have been surprised at the selec"tor's decisions and even more surprised at referees' rulings. Siaeline selectors' have chosen what they considered to be better teams. This is ail part of sport and if organised sportds to keep its present standing this criticism must i condnue. Criticism if nothing else is an indication of interest. All followers of rugby will be gratefui to the men who have provided for thenr during the last season. Not only the p.ayers themselves are to be thanked but also the members of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, the referees, coaches and the selector. All these people have given their time and energy for nothing more or less than their love of rugby. The union recencly announced that this year's proflt was the highest for many years past. This alone pioves the interest which has been shown in this successful season. Games have been won and lost. Many say that because of the defea.s, the season has not been a success. This attitude is wrong. We have lost the Bebbington Shield and other matches, but if we have learnt anything in the process then we have gained in our defeats. Lessons Learned. But have we learnt? Are we

gomg to take to heart tne lessons taught. If not, only more defeats and disappointments can be expec^ed in future encounters. Not only the Horowhenua union, but every district in New Zealand, has merely plodded ahead in the old way since the early' war years. i After the war the Kiwis ..toured Europe sweeping everything be--fore t-hem. In 1947 the A1 Blacks were viccorious in Australia. But the'n we rested on our laurels. This year will be remembered as the year 'in which it became New Zealand's turn to pull up her socks and regain once more the title which should be and will be.rightly hers— that is supremacy on the rugby union fie'd. The Springboks have shown us the "Channel Scrum." It has been tried by club teams in this country and proved successful. If it is agreed that this scrum is an improvement on our present method, it must be adopted. Apparently the All Blacks only counter to the channel has been the over-all hooking brilliance of Has. Cat'ey. Both the Australians and the South Africans have adopted and perfected the flying "No. 2." forward. Surely it is our turn to give other countries a headache. In the meandme, however, we must look to our own district and see what improvements can be made here. After all, club rugby is the foundation of international rugby. Primary and high school rugby is the origin of our national sport. The talent is there. Let us use it to the best advantage.