'Gangster Methods'

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 198, 7 September 1937, Page 7

'Gangster Methods'

-Press Aasociationl)

9 % SECOND RUGBY TEST I Rough Players Should Be Dropped, Says Dunedin Paper ONUS 0N ALL BLACKS?

(Bv TelesraDb-

DUNEDIN, Last Night. In the course of a leading articl® congratulating the Springboks on theif victory in the second Test, the Dunedin Star says: "There was a period in the second spell when gangster methods were conspicuous; yet after the game the usual fatuous nonsense was talked of the wonderful spirit in whieh it was playsd. It is best, perhaps, for the players to let bygones be bygones ns far as their own personal relationships are concerned, but weak ref ereeing and weak administration by Rugby IJnions will not accomplish the purge that is neqded. l As regards the Springboks, we can' only say that, although according to our interpretation of the rules they were guilty of certain illegalities, they • have the reputation of being a fine body of sportsmen who always try to play a hard but clean game. On the present tour there is every* indication that, unless they are grievously provoked, there will be no unpleasantness on their part. ,fIn saving this we would appear to be placing the onus for rough tactics on our own men. In view of what frequently occurs in New Zealand football to-day, there is scarcely any other aiternative. "The time for straight talking has come. The All Black forwards may not have been solely to blame on Saturday, but if there are to "be changes in the team for Auckland the seleetors* should have the courage to drop hny player whose tactics ero open to suspicion ' '