RUGBY IN OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 8

RUGBY IN OTAGO.

Rugby footballers in Otago who have played a part in retaining the Ranfurly Shield, and who in doing so have provided their followers with the most thrilling season ever experienced here, will probably anticipate for them efforts no reward that violates in the slightest degree the laws that seek to keep the game strictly amateur. Now Zealand s Rugby-playing manhood adopts the sport well knowing that its greatest reward is the game itself. Naturally those possessing the extra ability that carries them into provincial or national touring teams cannot bo expected to remain oblivious to the pleasures of incidental travel —with all expenses paid. Much beyond that by way of compensating its players no Rugby Union in any part of the Empire has the power to go. And it is very well so. The current efforts of a band of citizens to reward the shield-holders in some more tangible form may be well meant, but they would appear to be inspired by an excess of enthusiasm rather than by wisdom. To our knowledge there are at least some members of the team that find the idea of accepting a gift repellent; most likely there are others. In the circumstances under , which the Rugby Union code is played the staging of a social function or the presentation of photographs (if anything in the nature of a gift may be permitted) would adequately meet the position. While it is easy to sympathise with the feelings of the more demonstrative section of the public, we feel that the reminder should be sent forth that any attempt now to record provincial appreciation in a manner that involves monetary expenditure for the benefit of players would hardly be in accord with Otago’s attitude in the past, and

might stimulate among certain rivals in the north a '•significant chuckle not altogether dissociated from the possible accusation that this province has suddenly acquired a newly-born affection for the Ranfurly Shield. Such a contingency should be avoided at all costs. The truth is that all is not well with the shield competition. There is much room for ah improvement in the system under which it is won. Very often the team with the best record for the season- docs not hold the trophy. The fact that this anomaly has not occurred in 1936 should not deter the Otago Rugby Union from making suggestions to the Rugby Parliament for the amendment that appears necessary. It is partly because of a plethora of shield engagements that club football—the very essence of the game—is at times summarily dismissed as being of little consequence, or at best as a method of training, anticipatory of the near gladiatorial interprovincial encounters to come. Too many fit and promising players are being left on the bank for more than a third of the season. Primarily Rugby Union is a game for players. The tendency to cater only for spectators during August and Septemper is healthy merely for the coffers of the controlling bodies. The problem will be difficult to solve in New Zealand. Originally, we believe, the competition was intended to embrace only the larger provinces, but there are now in existence many other major unions whose followers would probably break out in a frenzy of rioting if it were suggested that their playeys should be debarred from participation. The only solution that offers itself at the moment is the creation of two divisions organised in such a manner as to enable the team with the best record to win and to permit each year the top team of the lower division to supplant tlie weakest side among the higher, thus giving every combination the chance of gaining supreme honours. Of the 1936 Otago side little remains to be said. Its praises have been sung by every visiting team, and we who have followed its victories throughout the season may be pardoned if we attempt to refute the suggestion which has been made in the north that its success has been due not to outstanding individual ability, but solely to team work. No team could have withstood such a series of formidable challenges without a generous measure of brilliance in addition to solid combination. It is doubtful if Otago Rugby has ever won such a wholesome respect throughout the Dominion, and those who have taken part in the fixtures, together with their coaches, are to be warmly congratulated on the season’s achievements. The players’ reward? Well, their feats will be the subject of pleasant reminiscence for many years hence. Perhaps that will suffice.