RUGBY LEAGUE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 49, 15 May 1930, Page 10

RUGBY LEAGUE.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR

No visiting team to England lias raised the enthusiasm of spectators as the recent Australian Rugby Leaguers. Start ing off with a brilliant victory by 31 points to 8 over England's"selected, they gave an exhibition of handling that opened the eyes of spectators to whom passing is a fetish. James Goldthorpe, a noted ex-player, and writer said: "Pessimists at once became resigned that we must lose the ashes so brilliantly did the Australians perform." -Then came the second" Test at Leeds in' which England gave a splendid revive al before an attendance of 31,700.. Criticism of the methods were heard in some quarters but England were out to win by keeping the game close and their tactics bore fruit to many people. The game was a pure delight and hailed as one of the finest games ever witnesed. The score was was D points to 3, each scoring a try and England won by goal kicUing-. Then came what was looked forward to as the vital test at Swinton. England made a desperate fight. Columns have been written on the fierce battle waged in which the "Aussies" playing a style foreign to them, made a glorious draw, j In the gloom ,of the closing uxinutos j Busch, who during the whole of .rlie game ! had been a thorn in England's srle anfii had allowed the 'renowned Jonothan Parkin, very little rope, raised the hopes of Australian supporters, when he 3hort Hike a bullet round the blind side. His headlong dive took him two yirJs over the line only to knock down the coiner flag in his sparkling effort. The Australian* had so much of the territorial adf^gige ttaqr deserved to win, if it had not been that England did no<; deserva to low. Pew there were of the 34.000 present ,who were not thrilled. ■ An English paper described the outstanding ' * Aussie forwards Treweke, Brogan and Kingston, as ''that terrible •trio" and McMillan, the "Aussie" fallback as a "broken hero." On the English side Butters (Swinton) was received in general. His tackling was terrific, his stamina wonderful. This was proved by his having -to be taken from the field a few minutes before time, and have several stitches in his ear.

' TMs' memorable game ended in a pointless draw, so that Lord Derby, who was there, unable to present the Ashes Oatp. AM* Wtm then a desire in many quarters for a "decider" and the Rugby League Council sportingly arranged a fourth test at Rochdale. i

Pat Maher, vice-captain of the Aus- . tralians, says ,that their players could not recover, the test match enthusiasm j and took the field without the "devil" they had shown the week previous. By a strange coincidence the match until a few minutes before time was a pointless draw, the youthful Smith capped a beautiful movement -by Giving over at the corner. Maher in. his view of the game gives gTeat Credit to England's captain, Jim SuDivan, whose tackling and clever saving were solely responsible for our inability to score, not once, but half a dozen times. .

Writing on another occasion Maher says that this test was the most thrill-

ing game I have ever seen—for deadly tackling and desperate saves in the face of overwhelming odds, it stands supreme Thus the tests ended with England retaining the ashes.

At Wembley against Walles in which Bert Hinkler kicked off for Australia, they gave a final spectacular effort to win by 26 to 10. Lord Birkenhead and Mr J. H. Clynes were present, the latter to hand over the handsome trophy to the

winners.

During this tour Rugby League broke new ground by staging a game in Newcastle, the first Rugby League match of any importance for 20 years. An appreciative crowd of over 12,000 witnessed a fast open' game, played at sensational speed, ancj one which brought out the best sportmanship on both sides.

One of the greatest benefits of the tour has been the fact that the crowds will .follow the game that shows science and speed. The Australians v drew the crowds by their open passing movements as-is ■evidenced by - the published. figures which show an improved attendance of over a third, in spite of two months at-

rocious weather,

The "Australians proved1, a valuable les- . pon, says one writer. "No visiting team has played more spectacular football; the players have vied with one another in their attempts to provide spectators, with a football treat. They have always perservered in their attacks, where English players have preferred to kick. English backs as a whole will not face an opponent. The "Aussie" have shown us cleaTly that a man on the run should, and can pass an opponent if he has the will to do so. Is it too much to expect in future that determined running will supersede aimless kicking. Whether English players will ever attain the skill of the Australians in backing up, is problematical. It must not be forgotten that our players follow their ordinary employment during the week. Arfiuous training, under these circumstances is impossible; tired men cannot be too severely tried out daring the week.

Another strong feature of the Australian players is the ability to pick-up when travelling quickly. They also find it possible to pass under most trying conditions. They let the ball go all the time. Naturally, they take risks, but they score tries and that's the object of the game.

The visit has given an impulse of good to the League game and it is up to players and committees to try and raise the standard of what is probably the best football played' to-day.

Yet with all their points of superiority the Australian League failed in avow t'rt object of taking back the International Championship because of the. overelf»,boratiori of their passing.

At Rochdale when they had one and sometimes two*men- spare, on the open fieloi side, the man in possession passed back into the ruck. "With a spare man in ian attacking position the opening is there; This is. an axiom that the Australians failed to grasp. With the 'hordes' of promising material in Australia ,to quote Pat Maher, and the experience Seined in England, wliat prospects has this season's New.Zealand League team when they 'tour Australia?

LEAGUE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

BR.ACTICALL A CERTAINTY

The coming jaunt across the Tasuian is the first overseas trip since Bert Avery's band visited England in 1926-7. These days Bert is one of the League's selector. "Come-backs" will be plentiful this sason asa trip to Aussie is not to be sneezed at.

' * Gig.'' Whetherill who was top scorer in senior cricket for United last season, keep himself fit and if he lines out again he has only to go to show, his old form to walk back into the Maoiiland team. .

His old club promises to make1 a bold bid for championship honours this season. City played some sensational games last year.

Ernie Asher has some great stuff coming on. <Shortland 'and Watene, the two Maori stars, who came over from Rugby last season, aire already in training.

Len and Laurie Barchard and McLaughlari, the smashing centre are all keen to get into it again. George and Bill Perry-can be reckoned on, too, while young Pascoe ought to be well, in the running for the Sydney trip,,' ''