The Rugby Game

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Rugby Game

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Notes Jind Comments

Former Southland Rep. Dead. A. Bulman, a Southland representative forward of nearly 50 years ago, died recently. Reference to his death was made by Mr A. J. Geddes at the meeting of the Southland Rugby_ Union last week. Bulman was a Riverton player. He represented Southland against Otago in 1894 and 1895 (says the ‘ Southland Times ’). Match for Patriotic Funds. Rugby enthusiasts will be afforded an opportunity next Saturday of assisting the patriotic funds, and at the same time seeing some very bright and entertaining football, when the Public Service team is pitted against University. All the service players are well-known senior footballers, and several of them are representative players, and, as there will be various other attractions, the service day next week should, be one of the most enjoyable of the season. The Fourth Sulljvan. • Colin Sullivan, whose play this season has borne out the good opinions he won in the trials at Athletic Park last season, is the fourth of the Sullivan family to play for Taranaki. He was born at Stratford on March 19, 1919, so that he is 21 and has much football ahead of him if conditions permit. Rather bigger than his brother Jack, but strikingly like him in features and style, he has plenty of pace, a strong fend, and abundant football sense (says an exchange). It is interesting to note that when both were schoolboys, at the Tangarakau School, he and Jack played together in a champion school fifteen. Colin played his first game for Taranaki against Auckland last season, and did so well that he was called on for all remaining matches, including the match with Otago, and was also sent to Wellington for the trials, in which he did well in the early trial on the final day. Well-known Maori Players. There were some well-known players in the team chosen from the Maori Battalion at Papakura to play the Lower Waikato representatives (says the ‘New Zealand Observer’). H. 11. Takarangi, the full-back, is related to the famous Alec Takarangi, of Wanganui, a full-back whose fame in Maori Rugby is second only to Nepia’s. Alec Takarangi finished his Rugby career as a forward. The five-eighths, TV i Repa and Reedy, who are both second-hen-tenants, are from the East Coast. Wi Repa is a half-brother to Everard and Selwyn Jackson, and went to Fiji in 1938 with the Maori team. Jackson, a corporal, was also among the players, as was a well-known Marlborough forward. Private H. Hippolite. Ilippolite, who has an unusual name for,a Maori, played against the 1937 Springboks at Blenheim, and is a good type of battling forward. Auckland Rugby,-Stalwart.

No meeting of Auckland and \\ elluigton Rugby representatives would be' complete without %the presence of Mr Arthur Tilly. Since 1901 this Auckland stalwart has missed only one AucklandWellington match. He will be here for next Saturday’s match, this time as manager of the Auckland side. In accepting the appointment of manager of the team, Mr Tilly announced at last week’s meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union’s committee that he would give a set of new jerseys to the Auckland team for the match;

Taieri Players for Camp. Many of last year s Taieri senior fifteen are now serving with the fighting forces, and the disintegration of this year’s side has already begun. Of those who played against Varsity A last Saturday A. M’Cunn, G. A. Murray, and E. Lindsay are to enter camp with the first draft from here, and the ex-Otago representative three-quarter, Seaton M'Cartney, who did not play on Saturday, is also entering camp. Several other members of the suburban, side are waiting to bo called up.

With Queensland Army Team. Jim Hewitt, former Wellington College Old Boys and Wellington representative forward, who has been in Australia for some seasons, lias been playing very good football for the Array team in Queensland. Recently, in a match against Brisbane, his goal-kick-ing decided the issue in favour of Army. Ho was to have played in the combined Army fifteen against Queensland. Hewitt leaves with the next Echelon from Australia.

Southland Skipper Back in Dunedin. R. G. Mahony, who skippered the Southland team this year, is back in Dunedin, and expects to be called for military service later in the year. Last Saturday he reappeared with Pirates, for whom he played before he left for Invercargill at the end of the 193“ season, and by his display on the wing Mahony showed out as a more polished player than he was when he left here. Besides paving the way for two of the

tries scored by Pirates by means of clever centring kicks, he finished off a move started by Lanauze with a wellearned try. Mahony’s strong running and constructive play might well have met with greater reward, but lie had no Uick, stopped just short of the line on several occasions. As a matter of fact, young Preston’s close marking of Mahony was quite a feature of Union's work on defence. It is some years now nnce Mahony made his entry into big football. Ho played bis first rep. game in 1930, when be came on at centre in

place of Herb. Smith in the Ranfurly Shield match against Manawatu, and during that season and the next he played for Otago in 11 games. He has represented Otago in the last three seasons, playing in 10 games last year. In the south Mahony played for the Invercargill Club (the Blues), which finished second to Marist in the Galbraith Shield competition this year. So, if he plays next Saturday for Pirates, he will have the distinction of having taken part in two championship finals in the one season. Southland “ Gate ” Records.

A question asked in the 1 Southland Times ’ was; What were the “ gates of the Otago-Southland Rugby games at Invercargill in the record years two or three seasons ago? “ Onlooker replied that in the 1938 season the gate receipts at Rugby Paik were £1,923, a record at that time. The attendance was estimated at 16,000. The next season the sum of £2,092 was taken at the gates; the attendance was 18,000. Both of the “ gates ” mentioned were records for interprovincial Rugby anywhere in New Zealand.

A.Roving Commission. B. Wilkins, who represented Otago at full-back in one game last year, has had a roving commission in the Taieri side this year, having played in the five-eighth line, in the forwards, and also in his original role as full-back. Against. University A last Saturday he filled the last line of defence fqr the first time in many weeks, and his display was a very good one indeed. His fielding of the wet ball was very sure, both in the air and on the ground, and he kicked with direction and judgment. In the face of Varsity’s most strenuous raids he did not falter, and time and again he repelled the Light Blues when trouble was threatening the plainsmen.

Promising Taranaki Back. The Yugoslav community has given New Zealand many good citizens and at least one All Black footballer, in N. Bradanovich, who will be well remembered as a clever five-eighth with the University A team in Dunedin a decade or so ago. "Bradanovich represented Otago on 14 occasions m the 1928-29-30 seasons, and he was a member of the team defeated by the British side in 1930. In 1928 Bradanovich played for the South Island, and while the All Blacks were in South Africa ho played for another New Zealand team in two of the tests against New South Wales. Nowadays he is a dentist at Pukekohe, in the Auckland province. Another promising footballer of Yugoslav descent who has now come to the fore, and who will be recalled in Dunedin for his fine play with the New Plymouth Boys’ High School fifteen in 1938, is N. Lovak. This youngster, formerly captain of the school team, is referred to in a repent issue of the ‘ New Zealand Observer,’ which states that when he played for Taranaki against Auckland, Novak showed the attributes of a high class player in his faultless handling and the manner in which, with an artistic change of direction, he occasionally breached the_ Auckland back line. Novak was originally chosen as an emergency, probably because the Taranaki selectors do not want, to advance him too rapidly. He is a gifted allround athlete, being a good cricketer and swimmer. His father comes from the island of Hvar, in the Adriatic, and keeps a restaurant in New Plymouth.

Ongley’s Impressive Display. P. A. Ongley has made infrequent appearances Tor Pirates this season, but he gave one of the classiest expositions of half-back play seen on Carisbrook this year when he turned out against Union last Saturday. He used the dive pass judiciously, and his transfers were quick and well-directed, while his smart bursts from the scrum on several occasions were most troublesome to the defence. Ongley adapted himself admirably to the conditions, and fully confirmed all the good opinions that were formed of him on his play last season.

Southern Forwards Take Charge. Both Southern and Zingari-Rich-mond showed weakness in their handling in the game at the Caledonian Ground, mainly due to the greasy ball, but the Southern forwards took charge early and had Zingari penned in their own twenty-five for three parts of the game. But for the inability of the back line to take advantage of the good work of the pack Southi'rn’s winning margin of 13-4 would have been much larger. Zingari made only a few incursions inside Southern’s territory in the first spell, and in one of them the ball came to W. Mason, who potted a goal, that being the only score in the first half. Southern attacked with renewed vigour on resumption, and once again S. Robert showed what a valuable opportunist he is by picking up the ball in a loose scramble and diving over for a try. The remainder of Southern’s pouits came from Trevathan’s boot, which accounted for two good penalty goals and a potted goal. There was nothing very spectacular about the game, however, it being a dour and hardfought encounter.

E. Bolton and A. Mason, fullbacks for Southern and Zinqari respectively, had a keen duel, their fielding and kicking being exceptionally good under the conditions. Mason is one of the most improved players in the competition.

Of the Southern forwards H. Holley and H .T Tyrie both showed out for all-round forward work, particularly in initiating the loose rushes in which both used their weight and strength to advantage. Holley has been one of Southern’s most consistent forwards this season, and in the last few matches has been outstanding in an oven pack. D. Smith also got through a lot of good work.

The Zingari forwards lacked the cohesion of the Southern pack, and were far too prone to pack loosely. Easily the best forward for the Colours was L. Pollock, and of the others R. Douglas and A. Tyrie both put some ginger into their work. The latter had some keen duels on the line-out with his brother.

The Zingari backs showed good defensive qualities, Trainer, Rapson, and Mohnlski frequently stemming the Southern rushes.

Kaikorai Beats Varsity B. Kaikorai had a 17-3 margin over Varsity H in a game which produced good wof-wcatlier football, and on the run of play Varsity were unlucky to lose

by such a margin, Kaikorai’s win being due to their greater finish. L. (“Jock”) Aitken led the hill pack ably, and this tireless packman played one of his best games this season. 1. Hav and J. (J. Nicholson showed up well, Hay being a fast breakaway and always looking for work. R. M‘lntosh was always in the thick of the play.

Under adverse conditions the Kaikorai backs handled well, but K. Calder, the second five-eighth, nullified some likely movements by being caught in possession. This otherwise promising young player is inclined to be a little too individualistic, with the result that the men outside him are deprived of the opportunities to which they are entitled.

G. Allen showed dash on the wing, and both his tries were well earned. He evaded several tacklers by changing direction at the right moment. Dave Murray, who is awaiting his recall to camp, had a run, and his experience was valuable to the back lino.

The Varsity forwards played well together against a more experienced pack, their display being quite encouraging considering that the side included so many juniors. F. Little was easily the best forward, and his back-ing-up was an object-lesson. Herron and Glides were another pair to take the eye. Weston, who substituted at half-back for Paewai, showed promise and sent out clean and well-directed passes to Broughton. The latter was the best of the Varsity backs in attack, and he also got through a lot of saving work._ One movement which Broughton initiated took play almost from one end to the other, Little, whose backing-up was such a feature, being held up on the line, Kaikorai eventually getting out R of trouble. The Varsity backs tried to open up play, and with a little more method and combination they might have given Kaikorai a good deal more trouble.

Babrow Returns to South Africa. Dr Louis Babrow, the well-known 1937 Springbok centre, returned to South Africa from England recently. He arrived back with the express purpose of joining the South African Medical Corps. Babrow studied at Guy’s Hospital, where he was one of the mainstays of the hospital Rugby team, who, notwithstanding the conditions, carried out a full programme last season. He also played for Middlesex, the Barbarians, and Rosslyn Park, but he was not considered for any England team, as the international rules lay down that no player can play for two countries within the space of five years. Babrow was captain of the Guy’s team, and captained the Barbarians on their annual Welsh tour. He was also captain of the Empire team when they played against the British Army side. In all there were eight South Africans in the Guy’s side. Nobody could understand what their tactics were, for they all played Rugby in Afrikaans. “ I hope I don’t forget myself when 1 get on to a Rugby field here,” Babrow remarked. “ T certainly will not be able to shout ray plans across the field.” He hopes to play whenever he can. Dunedin Superior All Round. All round Dunedin were a much better combination than Alhambra, and the forwards staged some splendid dribbling rushes in which P. Treacy, L. Fogarty, D. Lowe, and L. Marshall were usually prominent. In the set scrums the-clever hooking of M'Donald enabled Alhambra to obtain a good supply of ball, but in the loose the pack did not show anything like the concerted effort it usually does. T. Mockford, E. Treewick, and Hansen were the pick of the Alhambra forwards.

Having regard to the conditions, the Dunedin back line handled well, and D. Redden, the half-back, played a

smart game, giving good service from the base of the scrum and varying his play cleverly. He played well to his forwards, and scored a try through keeping well up with the play. A. Manion and M. Spillane played good attacking games, and Cook, at centre, shaped promisingly. E. Blank fielded well, and was safe at full-back, but the heavy going slowed him down a little. The Alhambra backs were very weak in coping with the Dunedin foot-rushes, but L. Casey, the half-back, got through a heavy afternoon’s work very creditably. He was also responsible for initiating several movements which would have threatened danger had more support been forthcoming from the other backs. C. Seaward has turned on good football in recent games, and, with Taylor making some good openings for him. the Alhambra winger put in several strong runs. Alhambra’s tackling left a lot to be desired, and this and the poor rush-stopping had a lot to do with Dunedin’s 17-6 win.

Canterbury Full-back. At full-back for Canterbury in its^ representative Rugby match with West Coast was M. P. Donnelly, Wellington, Taranaki, Canterbury, and New Zealand cricketer, and Donnelly’s selection did not greatly surprise, for be has been playing very soundly for University in the Christchurch competition this year. Against the fiery Coast forwards, Donnelly played very pluckily. It is questionable whether much will be seen of him in the coming cricket season. He has enlisted for military service abroad, and is waiting to be called up. Last year be was the outstanding batsman in the shield series, and won the Redpath Cup. Pirates Win Comfortably. Union did not look like a winning side at any stage of their game with Pirates, but allowances must be made for a team weakened by the absence of such stalwarts as Vorrath, Xewall, Slyiicld. Werner, Silver, and Co., though supporters of the Maroons wore undoubtedly disappointed witli the lack of method and combined effort made by the team as a whole. On the few occasions that Union looked dangerous their efforts were largely of an individualistic nature, and fell down through lack of support.

The Pirates forwards assumed control in the first five minutes, and never lost their grip oil the game, dominating play m the scrums, rucks, and lineouts, and in the last-mentioned department Union sadly missed Vorrath ami Nowall. The back division handled the greasy ball reasonably well, ami there was far more penetration shown than was tlie case the previous week. But for the sound work on defence of Boh Harvey, Fleming, ami Preston especially, the tally against Union might have been considerably larger.

Alan Parkhill was always the thick of the tight work, and his line-oul play was high class. He showed nice anticipation in racing through when Mahony put in a centring kick, the big fellow, who takes a lot of stopping when he gets under way, scoring between the posts.

The most conspicuous loose forward was J, Lanauze, who used his pace

and handling ability to advantage. Playing one of his best games this year, Lanauze was a source of annoyance to the opposition, frequently bobbing up from the tight with the ball at his feet or initiating attacking movements for his hacks from midfield play. Although light and short of stature,

the Pirates rake, O. B. Smith, is a useful forward, and he was always well up with the play. Joint; some very good dribbling. J. W. Clulee was one of the hardest grafters in the pack, and his play in the tight was very solid. W. H. Campbell’s play against Zingari was too stodgy to be true, but he revealed something like his true form on Saturday, showing thrust and quickness in seizing an opening in the defence His three tries were all good efforts, and between him and Ongley there existed an excellent understanding. Although perhaps a little inclined to overdo it, Campbell exploited the short punt cleverly on the day. Tom Fraser, at second ‘five-eighth, made several good breaks, and Perriam was always looking for gaps in the defence, though the ground conditions did not seem to his liking. The Union pack was largely comprised of promoted juniors, and while K. Morrison was often at the head of the loose rushes they lacked the leadership and stiffening that would have been there bad Vorrath and Newall been able to play. They packed too loosely, and as a result tile Union backs had a torrid time on defence for most of the afternoon. Dr Harwood showed out in loose play, and A. Paris was one of the solidest members of the pack. The backs had limited opportunities in attack, and most of the efforts failed because of poor backing up. Harvey made several good openings and played soundly at first five-eighth, with the re-

serration, however, that hi, passing left room for improvement. Tlie most thrustful hack was 1. Murdoch, at second five-eighth, and several times ho cut deep into the delence, only to see his good work nullified for lack of support. As mentioned, Fleming was very solid on defence .and ins tackling of Perriam was very sure. As in ids first appearance at (Jarishrook, the youth I ill Uiuqu full-back. T. Freeman, impressed by his sure fielding and sound kicking. Taieri Were Unlucky.

The Taieri fifteen lias enjoyed the reputation for playing attractive loothall. and the plainsmen, always welcome on C.'urisbrook, added to their prestige bv the displnv given against Varsity A last week. 'The Light Blues finished with a 10-10 margin, but on the run of the play Taieri may be counted decidedly unlucky to lose. _ Adapting themselves to the conditions, they turned on good wet-weather football, and the only department in which Varsity forwards were able to hold their own was in the set scrums. The pace and resource of tlie Varsity backs actually proved the deciding factor, but the plainsmen have the satisfaction of giving Varsity one of their hardest tussles this season.

The suburban side has a rattling good pack, and the outstanding pair on Saturday were again K. Waldron and W. Bisset, both of whom turn the scale at over 15st. Both used their weight and strength to full advantage in the tight work, in which Bisset especially did a grand day’s work. Waldron was always up with the play, and for a big fellow is fast and mobile. His backing up in attack and defence was a feature of the game. Bisset and Waldron rank among the best forwards in the senior competition at the present time. They had good support from R. Barnes, whose line-out work was fine.

The Taieri backs defended stoutly, but their positional play was not all that it might have been, and some of the movements suffered from the tendency of K. Lindsay to stand flat-footed for his transfers, and he displayed a bad fault on several occasions in speculating wildly after dropping his pass. The team, as usual, was well served by the half-back, S. Whitson; but the mainspring of the attack was W. Johnstone, who showed a lot of penetration in attack and tackled like a demon.

Johnstone paved the way for M'Cunn’s try with an excellent run. G. A. Murray played very soundly and got through a lot of good covering work.

The hooking of C. N. D. Taylor has been a feature of Varsity’s forward play throughout the season, and it was well for the Light Blues that his raking was as clean and swift as it was, for the pack as a whole otherwise did not reproduce its best -form. There were too many loose forwards and there was a decided proneness towards offside play. Taylor, by the way, is a lively player in the loose, putting plenty of clash into his play and showing good ball control.

The solide.st worker in tho tight was V. L. Smith, whose all-round forward play has been of a high standard throughout the season. A promoted B player who look the eye was H. Bennett, who did not shirk tho tight stuff, and \V. Murphy, tiie rugged front-ranker, is another who can be depended on to bo where play is thickest.

L H. Simpson gave good service with the greasy ball, and his quick bursts from the scrum often took the defence by surprise. His rush-stopping could not bo faulted, and he and Berghan paved the way for some of the best moves of the day. Berghan’s anticipation on defence often extricated the side from some troublesome situations. R. Skelley and R. L. Jones

were both quick to seize openings m the defence, but neither was given much latitude by Johnstone and Murray respectively, the .Taieri men tackling very determinedly. N. F, Lino and J. W. Green made some strong runs, and T. Kawe was safe at full-back

Memories of Scottish International. Mention is made in the ‘ Edinburgh Evening News ’ of July 20 of the series of articles in the ‘ Sports Special ’ some months ago featuring the famous All 'Black and ex-Otago - skipper, Jack Hore. It will'be recalled that Hore’s reminiscences covered tours in South Africa, Australia (twice), Great Britain, and Canada, and, of course, his long and distinguished club career. The reference by the Scottish paper is to Hore’s comment on the international at Murrayfield in November, 1935. He was reported as follows: “ The Scottish game provided bright, open football, but although the Scottish backs were fast, their forwards did not ruck like the New Zealand forwards, who, in this game, gave one of the best displays of the tour.”

Say the Edinburgh writer: " With that there can be no argument, as the All Blacks went great guns that afternoon, especially while W. C. W. Murdoch was off injured and while be was still suffering from the result of a first-half knock.” Reference is also made to an incident in which Bore was concerned. He tells how he broke a bone in one of his hands just before the interval, proceeding to the touchline for attention.

* New Zealand were defending desperately at the time,’ continues the writer, ‘ and as Hore rushed back on to the field three Scottish backs came down dribbling. Jack had not notified the referee that he was returning, but could not resist diving down to stop the rush, the crowd booing him vociferously because he had not notified the referee.’ Now, that all sounds very exciting, but hardly in accordance with the Murrayfield reputation for sportsmanship. Curiously enough the * News ’ report makes no mention of such an incident. On the other hand, it is recorded that ‘ one had proof of this (sportsmanship) in the manner in which New Zealand’s devastating spell (before the interval) was received. The crowd might have been cheering Scottish scores.’ That seems to dispose pretty well of Hore’s Indictment. ‘ The man who booed at Goldenacre,’ yes; a massed example of the same at Murrayfield—no.”

Wellington Wins Exciting Game. The (Jan ter bury-Wellington game last Saturday was a fine encounter under, tho conditions (writes a correspondent). ’The game was very exciting, and some of tho tries were really good efforts. On the whole run of play Wellington deserved to win, as their forwards were superior, and definitely so in the second spell. In the first half Canterbury made some nice breaks, and, backing up in good style, scored three nice tries. Their forwards did not have the steam and fitness of the Wellington pack, however, and in the second spell the Wellington forwards dominated the game. M’Carthy was a great goer, and another who showed out was Todd 'champion discus thrower). The latter is big, fast, and fiery. Cassidy gave good support, and Ongley and Kenny played well in the loose, especially the latter. Thg only fault with the forward play was that they could not control the ball when they tried to dribble, but that seems universal with forwards throughout New Zealand. The handling of the backs, and particularly of the full-backs. Dance and Donnelly, was superb. Donnelly turned on one of the best wet-weatlier full-back games seen in Christchurch in years Other backs who stood out were Allen, the Canterbury first five-eighth, who handled like a champion in the first spell, and the centre, M'Hugh, who looked to have speed and showed a good eye for an opening. Tho wingers were unable to handle the heavy going, but Fountain, the-young Canterbury winger, was determined, though definitely lacking in polish. Gillespie, the Wellington winger, looked very promising.