JAPANESE RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 22459, 2 October 1936, Page 5

JAPANESE RUGBY

INTERESTING TALK BY J. M. WATT WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS ENTERTAINED The outstanding feature of the most successful reunion dinner held by the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association (Otago Branch) recently was a most graphic account ol the New Zealand University team's Rugby tour of Japan given by the Otago and All Black three-quarter, J. M. Watt. Tho .roll call at the function was responded to by more than 30 old boys, who in-

chided Mr G, W. Reid (in the chair), Dr A. Perry, Dr A. J. C. Hanan, Mr W. Jenkins, Mr J. R, Callender, Mr A. N. Ncwnhani, Air C. Hoggard. Captain A. W. Greville, and Dr C. R. Burns (representing "Nelson College). After tho loyal toast had been honoured. tho toast of “ The School and Absent Old Boys ” was proposed by the Chairman, who, in the course ot an interesting address, referred to the great influence tlio “ l>oss ” (the late Mr J. P. Firth) had had on the school —an influence that was greater than that of any other man. Mr Firth had taken a deep interest in all the activities of tho college, and tho speaker went on to tell of a. few reminiscences of ids connection with tho school. He mentioned that tho college had had the honour this year of having five old boys prominently associated with the All Blacks—Air AI. F. Nicholls (manager). J. L. Griffiths, J. AI. Watt. R. Sadler, and I!. Killeen. Mr Reid then, asked members to stand as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr W. A. Alexander, a leading master of tlio college for many years. He also expressed pleasure at the recent marriage of Air T. B. Brodio, sports master of the school.

Interesting reminiscences of school life were also given by Captain Greville, Alessrs. B. Alorrison and G. Hoggard. Tho only other toast of the evening —that of “Kindred Associations was proposed by Air J. R. Callender, who recalled in an interesting manner tho sports fixtures hold against brother colleges, and, in particular, those against Nelson College. , Dr C. R. Burns, representing Neloon College, responded to the toast. Tho function was an extremely pleasant one, and a largo measure ot its success was due to tho work of the branch’s secretary (Air F. AI. Hanan). MR J. M. WATT’S TALK. An extremely interesting talk was given by Air d. AI. Watt, tho Otago All Black on the New Zealand University Rugby tour of .Japan. Ho said that one of 'the first things they noticed alter arrival was the. characteristic Japanese dishes, which at first

seemed strange to them. The main dish consisted of beaten-np egg with pieces of beet and vegetables all cooked together. The moat was cut in very largo lumps, and they all had considerable difficulty in manipulating these with chop sticks. He found that the most successful method of mooting the difficulty was to gather tip the slice of meat witli a small piece protruding through tho sticks, and then carefully gnaw or nibble the obtruding portion. One of the vegetables consisted of boiled bamboo shools. This was an acquired taste, but by the time they left Japan many of them quite enjoyed it. Tho,main liquor consumed ' by the .Japanese was “ said,” which was made front rice. This was not very potent, according to the views of some of the forwards of the team, hnt tho Japanese seemed to bo easily affected by it. Air Watt also referred at length to the famous tea ceremony, the procedure of which was most involved and difficult, a special course having to bo taken by tlio Japanese girls to learn its intricacies. Every Japanese girl of class studied it carefully, as it was an accomplishment of the highest standing. Certain families specialised in the teaching of it, one family having been concerned in its exposition for several centuries. Ho said that courses of study fasting from three to six months were held, while the full ceremony itself went on for several flours. Some of their hosts wore good enough to arrange a ceremony for them, but, owing to ibo numbers, relays of half an hour a time had to lie held so that they all could see a portion of it.

STANDARD OF PLAY HIGH. So far as the football was concerned, they found the standard of play very high. 'The game was played chiefly by the universities. The Imperial University, which was the leading university, excelled more m academies than in athletics. The two other leading universities had about 10,000 students each and they concentrated more in sporting activities—baseball, hockey, swimming, and football. Tire athletes received free boarij and tuition at the university and were trained by the leading sporting coaehes in Japan. They wore really professionals like many of the athletes at the American universities. Kach day they trained from two to lour hours, and before each match the team ran up and down the field lor at least half an hour. The players wore extremely lit. The forwards were stones lighter than the New Zealand pack, and, though they played seven forwards with an extra back, they more than held their own. Their passing and speed were remarkable, the handling bv the backs being a revelation. They’ played fast and open football, the only fault being that their sense ol team work was so highly developed that individual thrust waslacking. Time after time, with their speed and passing they would have broken through, but instead, of the man going over to score, he would look ronml for some one to pass to, so giving the Now Zealanders time to get back to save. . JAPANESE SPORTSMANSHIP. Tbev were wonderfully good sportsmen, 'all the; games being played in the friendliest of spirits. During the last game, about 10 minutes before time, Nagami, the captain, had a pot at goal from about hall-way. It was a beautiful kick sailing right up the field. New Zealand was then leading by 11 points to 8 and the crowd was in a fever of excitement. As the ball went up the crowd hurst into a tremendous demonstration of enthusiasm. The referee, who was standing behind some of the forwards, was unable to see, and he hesitated before awarding a goal. Before he could blow his whistle Nagami ran up to him and said it was no goal as the ball had gone, outside the posts. This really meant the match for New Zealand, as a goal at that stage of the game would have given a very different complexion to it. He said the refereeing was very different from what wo were used to in New Zealand. A good deal of off-side play was allowed, and he was afraid that, if the proposed Japanese tour of New Zealand eventuated next year, the Japanese players would have considerable difficulty in understanding the Now Zealand referees’ interpretations. an unusual experience. After the last match he said they had a rather unusual experience for Now Zealanders. Near_ the changing rooms was a huge bathing pool into which they all went for their wash. When they had all got under the water the football fans walked in to admire them .—men and women of all kinds and conditions. The members of the team were all in the mule, and did not know what to do. They stayed under the water for about a' quarter of an hour, and then decided that the only thing to do was to adopt concerted action and run for the sheds together. They all gob out of the water, but were immediately stopped by admirers, who would let them pass until they had obtained autographs and patted them on the backs. Throughout the whole of Japan the people manifested a purity of outlook in such matters that showed a complete disregard of humbug. In conclusion, he said that the Japanese were charming people, and had entertained them lavishly. He hoped that if the Japanese team did come over next year the New Zealanders wem Id extend the same generous hospitality as had been meted out to them.