RUGBY TRIAL LESSONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 158, 22 July 1937, Page 13

RUGBY TRIAL LESSONS

"Magpie.")

Final Selection Uhlikely Till Morning of First Test SCRUM F0RMATI0N METH0DS - %

(By

The recent week of Rug'by trials held in Wellington was no misnomer, for from all accounts it was a trial to the selectors, the union, public and last but by no means least the active participants. The players of iron frame stood up to four matehes in eight days, but the good that it will do them is doubtful. On the other hand. injuries were numerous and many players will be on the side-line for weeks. The wisdom of such a strenuous series of matehes is doubtful.

When in Wellington, "Magpie" dropped into hospital to see Joey Sadler, and I am sure no footlight celebrity has attracted mo A gifts of fruit and flowers than.is Joey's daily harvest. Tablfes were laden with fruit, and nearby nestled a wireless set to keep the Eugby. star up to date in topics of tbe day. Sadler informed me that bis trouble was a dead nerve in the leg, and he did not think he would be recovered sufficiently to play in the winter of 1938. For company the All Black had J. Sullivan, of Taranaki, with a lacerated cheek that was bleeding inwardly, and Philliyp, of King Country, with a shoulder hurt. In addition to these two, L. Eussell, the Waikato half, sustained injury in Monday's match, and it is not expeetedthat he will be fit for play for another week at least. There were many others that suffered injury, and combined with the week of walking on Wellington 's paving stones — and they are mighty trying to the uninitiated— in all probability it will be found that the week has done players harm that will affeet them for the rest of the season. As for the trial matehes, it is now fairly - apparent that the two to take notice of were the inter-island fixture, on the opening day, and the New Zealand versus The Eest on the concluding day. There were, however, many features to provide the Eugby follower with thought. It was apparent, for instance, that the selection committee' had given the players some indication of the duties required of them on the field. For instance, it was early fairly obvious that the half-baclcs had been so instrpcted. It was strange to see Clothier tearing round the scrum in a vain attempt to catch McAuliffe, the opposing half-back. I use the term "vain" advisedly, for the sum total of Clothier 's efforts was to concede a penalty for off-side from which* Trevarthan obligingly kicked a goal. Fpr one half-back to harrass the other is an idea fairly new to us in Hawke's Bay, but it has been an accepted practice in Otago for a season or two. It is, too, an old Welsh custom. Watching tho antics of the half-backs took one back to 1921 and the scene of the second test with the Springboks. In fancy, once again, I pictured the flying Springbok wing-threequarter, Zeller, streaking f«r the goal-line and the arrival of half back Teddy Eoberts to throw the African into touch in-goal. That run by Zeller came from a scrum, and Teddy Eoberts could not have been on the spot had he been following the latest halfback practice. To my mind half-backs

can be better employed covering the line of their won backs both in attack and defence. There appears no doubt -that Eankin is going to be one of the certainties in the forwards, and he is worthy of the honour, too. There is also no doubt that there is to'be some more tinkering with the scrum. On the last day of the ■ trials it was noted that the secohdrow sidemen packed into the scijum at an acute angle. The angle thus obtained, of course, is intended as an extra shield for the half-back. It is an Australian idea, and was tried by Hawke 's Bay at Carterton against Wairarapa as far back as 1934, but scrapped imn ediately af terwards because of the spread it caused in the pack. However, it appears that we are going to see this formation used in the first' test. Many readers will think, no doubt, that it is rather late to be trying new ideas, and there is good reason for such' thoughts. It is known that the Springboks in their 3 — 4 — 1 scrum formation employ a breakaway on the "blind" as well as the open side, and the latest New Zealand idea is following on those lines. The last match of the trials between a New Zealand fifteen and The Eest, played under unfavourable conditions, brought to light players not previously in the limelight, and this aspect has no doubt given the selection committee food for thought. So far the committee has not committed itself, and now it is extremely doubtful if the aetual New Zealand side to take the field in the first test will be known until the morning of the match. The New Zealand Eugby Union, it is rumoured, desired that 19 players be sent to Otaki for training, but it would he foolish to tie the committee 's hands in such a way. For instance, the trials revealed that the half-back position under dry conditions may be totally different under wet conditions. Simon did so well in the mud that if a similar state pertains on August 14 he might well be the chosen half. On a dry ground he may be set aside. So taking the situation broadly, it may be expeeted that some 25 meri will be dispatched to Otaki, there to train, and the final selection deferred until the morning of the match. It would be a wise precaution. Those players who do appear to be sure of selection are Taylor, at fullback, Mitchell, centre, Dalton, front row, King, lock, Eankin, side-row, and Parkhill, back tow. The remaining positions are difficult to foretell, but it will be indeed surprising if Jackson and Eeid are not wearing the fern leaf on August 14.