THREE FOOTBALL CODES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 160, 24 July 1937, Page 17

THREE FOOTBALL CODES

RUGBY. SOCCER, LEAGUE WHICH IS THE BEST? Naturally, if a question as to which football code he liked was put to a Rugby union player he would unhesitatingly declare for his own. So would a Soccer player. Just read what these three say: Cyril Towers. Australian Rugby Union captain: "Rugby Union is unique in its treniendous international scope; it has gripped the British Empire, Japan, Argentine, France, and even the United States. It is the one game in which the forwards still play the same thrillihg roles as -they did in the early days of football. ForWard play gives that extra something to both players and spectators, regardless of the conditions. It is suggested often there are too many men on the field.'- That depends' on petspective, but when a side is well-coached

the tendency of the two extra oreaKaways is to speed up the movemehts of the opposition. Yes, Union is the game." BernardJoy.

Unofficial captain of- the English Soccer team which toured New Zealand:— "Soccer is. the only true foot-: ball. Much as I respect Rugby, it can; scarcely be called anything Other than' a glorified type of . handball. Soccer, is far more scientific and skilful than hny other football. It is harder to learn, and thus far more satisfying to conquer. Soccer is faster, more , exciting, and keeps the spectators on their toes. There seems to be too f much close packing and far too much - Whistle in Rugby. Then, too, you can sense a score long before it comes but a goal might be shot in soccer at the most unexpected moment." Ernie Norntan. Australian Rugby League fiveeighth: "To me Rugby League is the champagne of all ' football. Where else do you get those siveeping flank movements, those fast, quickly-break-ing forward sorties? There are only 13 men in a League side, agEunst Union's 15. Those two extra players make ail( the difference, their ahsehce lending speed and mobillty. League .gives more to its adherents than doas any other code. There is no kicktog out on the full, none of that 'over-crowd-ing' that seems to characterisa Union, and every player gets more than a lair chance of showing his ability."