RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES Review of Recent Matches PLAYERS IN THE TRIALS

(By

“Magpie.”)

The results of the various representative fixtures played in different parts of the Dominion on the King’s Birthday provide interesting food for reflection, mainly for the reason that the actual results of tho games played at VZanganui and Auckland did not turn out as expected. At Wanganui, the home representatives got home by one point from Taranaki, a feat that has taken them a decade to accomplish. For this year Wanganui has a sole selector (Mr Geoff Pownall), and the first step he took in his campaign in search of talent was to lav down the good points he would look for in players before ho would give them a place in his representative side. If the Wanganui side supplied all the ability that he demanded, then it could bo said that he had the best provincial team in the Dominion.

Possibly Mr Pownall has discovered that his standard was beyond reach, bnt he has the satisfaction of accomplishing tho defeat of Taranaki, and that has proved a task beyond many of his predecessors. From all accounts Dick Steere played an important part in tho victory, and it is pleasing to record his return to form. The All Black Trials. In the All Black trial played at Wanganui last Saturday, Steere by popular vote was one of the disappointments. Bullock-Douglas, too, gets a good word, but ho received the same praise last season, and from actual observation ‘‘Magpie” can say that it was rather fulsome. The point that intrigues now is, will he get a trial next week, and will Steere get another one? In Auckland the All Black trial from which so much was expected was a failure from the Aticklaild point of view, as it took every ounce of the array of talent tlje Northerners provided to beat off the country men from Waikato and King Country. Possibly the pre-conceived ideas of the worth of Hedges, D. Solomon, Cuughey, Corner, McLean, Hadley, Knight and Bush will need a little revision. An old Waikato rep. in a letter to “Magpie” a few weeks back said that in Russell, of Motrinsville, Waikato had the best half-back in New Zealand, and in Monday’s game in Auckland he proved that he was above average. Whether or not he impressed the selectors remains to be seen, but being a robust youth ho can be relied upon to improve at any rate. While on tha subject of the players who have received favourable mention hi the trial games that have been played to date, it is remarkable that the majority are those that have been prominent for two or three years nt least as exponents of Rugby. Perhaps this is why they get the publicity, but of course nobqdy knows at present what the selection committee thinks. About Thbse Ages. Looking over the ages of some of the Northern aspirants, it is noted that Hedges, who was last year 18 years of age is this winter 21. At the present rate of progress he should have no difficulty it' attaining his century. f’at Caughey is 24, M. Corner 26, A. Knight 29, J. Leeson 25, H. McLean 27 and R. McKenzie very nearly 26. Some people imagine that a Rugby footballer by the time he reaches 26 years of age has also hit the toboggan in playing ability, but this is a fallacy.

Maurice Brownlie was 26 when he went to England in 1924 and hit play over there —not in New Zca'and—e r rn ed him the title of the best forward in the world. There are, of course, some who are burnt out long before attaining 26 years of age, and then a great many tire of active playing in their early twenties, but all the. same the player who remains keen and looks after himself is as good at 2'7 or 28 as tit any earlier period of his career. Discussing the All Black trials that have taken place so far with journalists who have viewed all the games one gathers that they have been disappointing, and none more so than the one in Auckland last Monday. Carlson, the Waikato five-eighth, over-shadowed Hedge completely, and Carlson as far back as 1928 in the in-ter-island fixture in Christchurch lost the game for the North by his impetuous play. Apparently age has curbed this weakness.’ He is a big fellow, which is not surprising when one remetnbers his father, Gus Carlson, a Hawke’s Bay forward in the early part of the present century. Full-back Candidates.

Ono gathers also that Bush, the Auckland full-back, was far from perfect and despite all that has been written of competition in this connection it appears that the final summing up will revolve round Gilbert (West Coast), Pollock (Wellington), and Nopia. Of all the trials played at time of writing the West Coast one at Nelson was the brightest, and this was marred to a certain extent by rain. From all accounts, too, the play of half-back Simon at Dunedin was not outstanding as the Dunedin press would have us believe; in fact, one pressman stated that there was not an All Black half-back in the South Island. Sadler, the Wellington half, now appears certain to be one of the chosen in this position, and ‘‘Magpie” is one who feels sure that he will do justice to the position. At the moment it is all very confusing, and to the writer the failure of the selection committee to make themselves familiar with all players appearing in the trials beforehand is somewhat disappointing. In 1924 the committee attended all practices before each trial, and so made themselves up to date in the vital necessity of recognition. In Napier on Wednesday the selectors declined to attend the training' of the Bay-Bush side. Unless one is familiar with the individual, they all look alike in football gear at first glance. A pressman enquiring from the selectors if any certainties; bad yet been

chosen for the trip was told that ther” were three —Messrs V. Meredith, S. Dean, and .T. Prendeville, a joke that wns appreciated by the enquirer best of all.

from E. Shaw, of the Masterton Club, who turned out for the run. Judging by this race the club is stronger in running strength this year and the middle men especially are showing marked improvement. The handicapper, Mr. Hendersen,' made the sealed handicap race very close, as, except for the winner, Marshall, who proved a regular dark horse the difference between second and twelfth place was only 1| minutes. Inter-club Contest, The annual inter-club contest with Marton was run ovei the championship course, and Hastings had little difficulty in winning toe individual and team events. Marton have some very promising young runners, and it their better men, F. Hid, Don Smith, and G. Bobertson had been competing the result might have been ditierent. It was pleasing to have some runners from Gisboine competing, and it is hoped the experience will help the sport to be taken on in Gisborne. In this connection “Fence’ understands that the Hastings club is keen to help in any way and this is a truly sporting attitude Which characterises the Hastings club and its members. The social side of the visit of the Alarton and Gisborne teams proved most successful and enjoyable. The Hastings club greatly appreciates the assistance received from supporters in making the visitors enjoy their short stay. A large field of about 30 was started by Mr. E. Wall and the pace was exceptionally fast, but soon slackened. Cooper raced for the lead, but this is not altogether wise unless the runner is able to keep going. Wright remained back for a while to pull his team mates together, and this change of tactics seemed successful as it ceitainly helped some ot the othei runners to keep up towards the front. Hunt ran an improved race, but Marshall’s time was a little slower. He should not overdo his racing until he is really fit. Coles and Poppelwcil both ran better than on Saturday, and with consistent training and by running with the faster men will improve even more. J.ee and Chapman are not fit yet, and until they are they cannot expect to stand up to hard races. Both could be nearer the front and should endeavour to be up a bit before the inter-club runs. I). Robertson has so far not exerted himself, and it is time he took his running more seriously as he could be a good club man. O'Shea has wisely taken things easy, as he is very young and will have plenty of hard running after he is more experienced. Dane, Apperley, Cameron and Webb would probably feel the benefit of some regular training, as so far they are not doing their best. Riel aids and Fear have not had many runs yet, and should try to make up for lost time. The Visiting Runners. Of the visitors, Cousins, of Gisborne, showed up well to run fourth, and with more regular runs would develop well. Paterson also ran a good hard race.-, and with the other Gisborne runners" Phillips, Payne and Waite should im-

prove with experience aiid training, these enthusiasts, together with other distance men in Gisoorne, should be able to form a Club, and it is hoped they will be encouraged in their efforts. W. Hill (Matton) proved a surprise packeti even to his team mates, and ran well to get home ahead of Gorrie, who wa 3 not up to form. Young also impressed, and as he and Hill are only 17 years old, Marton will have soma excellent runners in a year or two. Pilet ran an average race, and Saunders, Hurley and Ledingbam finished fairly well together. They are keen, but should take the running a little more seriously.

The Hastings club had two representatives in Kapler's road race on Monday in Ready and Anderson, and though the ydid not secure any of the mapjor honours, ran honest races. Congratulations to Napier on the quality of the outside runners they* attracted, and their initiative in having the race broadcast by short wave radio.