Round-up Of Rugby Season Finds Many Players Of Note In The Horowhenua Union

Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1949, Page 7

Round-up Of Rugby Season Finds Many Players Of Note In The Horowhenua Union

"Strathaird")

(By

In the last season a few players have come to light'and shown their ability and these have not missed the ever watchful eye of the. selector. ' In this last report for the 1949 season, "Strathaird" would like to express his opinions of the players seen in the representative teams this season.

It will be realised by all enthusiasts that it is almost impossible to witness each rep. match played and, therefore, if any player is omitted from this article I can only say that I have ' not seen him in aetion in a representative game and, therefore, am not in a position to inciude 'him. The Back Line. Starting with the backs we have seen four half-backs in action. They are Tritt, Ryan, Lay and Robinson. Tritt is a little slow in his delivery from the base of the scrum, but his open play at times borders on brilliance. He is gifted with a pair of very sure hands and consequently his passes are accurate, but unforuunately lack length. He is, however, a very fine half, whose elusive running should qualify him for the position of first five-eighth in future representative sides. • Ryan is a young player with years of rugby ahead of him. This half -back is going to go a long way. Still only 17 years of age, Ryan has the ability to pave the way to first class rugby if he maintains his present form. I feel sure that Lay was not seen to advantage this season. Appearing to be nervous before a large crowd, his passing went astray too often. His performances in club games, however, showed his ability. We can expect to see more of Lay if he can overeome his unfortunate nervousness. I have expressed my opinion of Lloyd Robinson in this column so often that repetitior. is hardly necessary. It is sufficient to say ihat he rnust be in the top bracket of half-backs in this country.

i Of the first five-eighths seen, I consider that Fuller is the unlucky member oi the party. Admittediy his exhibition in the ■ match against Manawatu was well below standard. He did not get another chance to show what he is cap-j able of and this, I think, was a mistake. Fuller is one of the surest tackiers in the district, as wed as being an eiusive runner, who kicks well. Even at fuii-back ne is a born five-eighths. Gwynn started well but 4ost form cowards the end of season. Brian Moynihan is anotner goo'd tackier with plenty of° pace oif uiie mark. He is lnchnea to rrna a fittie uoo much and would' possibly oe more suited to a position ruriher oue. Wallis is my pick of the second five-eightns as his straighu runnmg and sure handhng would oe an asset to any team. Tne cover defence of this piayer is also worihy of note. Merwood puts plenty of zeal into his work and his aiDiihy to keep Contact with the three-quarters cannot be overlooked. As this is his first year in the senior grade, ne lias pienty oi time to show his abifity. His speed and linkmg ability make him one of the future three-quarters. For the greaier part of the season we have seen Galloway at centre. There is no doubt that this man has a fine rugby head. On attack he is inclined to try too much on his own, but his defensive play is outstanding. Tjp me Galloway appears to be a naturai full-back, as in this position he should excel. Mick Moynihan plays a solid game at cemre, but is more at nome on the wing. Although not very fast he has a strong fend, which carries him past his opponents. Smith is blessed with loads of pace and given any room to work m is a veritable scoring machine. If he had any defence at all, Smith would be knocking at the door of first class honours. He is a very deceptive runner who changes pace cleverly. Lind is a determined runner j with a good fend and is a high class handler. He is another player who is young and his ability should be availaole for many years. Mortimer has played some cool defensive rugby at full-back. Even ■ though he has played at first fiveeighths he is more suited to the I rearguard. His long raking line ! kicks and good tackling make him a worthy contender for this position. His outstanding virtue is, however, his ability to remain cool before bustling forwards. Forwards Saw Many Changes. Now we come to the forwards. In the front row we 'have seen many changes, but the selector found the clue to his problems when he brought Winter burn up from lock. Both in the set scrums and tne loose rucks this man uses his weight to advantage and he knows when to break and when not to. Noonan has played solidly all season. He is one of those for-

wards who is rarely seen, as he' usuaiiy has his Jiead down and is m the tnick of it all the time. Milroy's form has waxed and waned, but when he is on form his hookmg and loose piay is well up to standard. lan Robinson is a great pack leader and even though his hookmg nas la'ued at times, his work in the open has been very handy. Doyle is a hard man to judge. At times his play has been exeellent, but uniortunaiely this has not oeen lasting. Although he has difficuity in keeping up with t'he game, particularly towards the end, he usually comes to iight with soinething very usefui. He is capabie of good work, but his fitnebs seems to bother him. In the locks Ray Robinson, King, Poweh aua Wood have shown their paces. Always in the thick oi it, KODinson goes well. Injuries have kept him out of a great many games and he has, there" fo.re, not been seen to advantage. [ Powell only played one or two games and went well in combinj ation with King. Wood has been 1 reviewed often on this page, but ! his imeout and scrum woik canj not be mentioned too much. From I what we have seen this year, he is as good as any lineout forward in the country. King made a difference to the cohesion of the pack on his inciusion, as he is a fine lock. His combination with Wood in both the scrums and lineouts has been a great asset to the team. Of the side row men Bryant has shown his ability many times. This tall, fast-breaking forward is a fine break-away who will go a long way. His form this year has not been up to the standard of that seen last year, but nevertheless he is undoubtedly one of the best forwards in the district. Lincoln is a little* slow for the side of the scrum. His work in dribbling rushes is a feature of his p.ay and, taking everything into account, I should say he is more suited to the loose head in the front row. Fletcher plays well on the side, but owing to his excellent cover defence it would appear that his place is last man down. Roy Robinson at the' rear of the scrum is possibly the fittest and fastest forward seen this season. His tackling and dribbling rushes are beyond reproach. Given a run on the side of the scrum he would be a constant menaee. I have been asked for. my selection of the best men seen this season. In selecting the team I have chosen some players for positions oth'er than those in which they have played in representative matches, ihis year, as I consider their style of play more suited to the places described. Here is the team: — Front row: Lincoln (loose head), I. Robinson, Winterburn; middle row: Roy Robinson, King,* Wood, Bryant; back row: Fletcher; half-back: L. Robinson; five-eighths: Fuller and Wallis; three-quarters: M. Moynihan, Merwood, Lind; full-back: Galloway. The unlucky ones are: — Forwards: Noonan, Milroy; backs: B. Moynihan. Tritt, Smith.