FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1923, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

ON THE WING. A THRKF.-QUA.I ITEIFS CHANCE. The physique i.f it “centre” is not necessary to a. wing three-quarter. .Much less of the really solid work in defence is done on the wing; but it goes without saying that he must be fast, especially over the short distances. Usually he has more chance to get into his stride; but the quicker starter he is the better, especially when lie gets a chance on the blind side of the sci tun, the essence of which movement is speed. The man of ten stone seven or so should not worry about his lack of weight if he has a little more pace, though a big man is often a

fast mail and makes a goad winger, despite his size. Indeed his extra weight gives him more chalices, as

he takes a lot of stopping. Again the big fellow, net very speedy, may make up his deficiency by his superior dash. Fast men on the track are rarely much good on a Rugby Held. Van Hcerden wns an outstanding example of this fact. Even when yen get a flier, who is a crack runner as well, lie rarely possesses the right temperament for the game. A wing must be ready to do forty or fifty yards at high speed. .Rarelv is he asked to do much mure. He is essentially an individualist who must he prepared to go up alone whenever lie thinks the chance worth it. and. in tries which come as the result of concerted work, he is almost certain to be compelled to finish off the rush single-handed. GO FOR THE GOAL-LINE. Generally speaking, it. is best for a wing, on receiving the ball, to forget about everything but the opposing goal line. He must size up the position at once and decide how he is going to attempt to get through. The easiest way. of course, is to run round the opposing men by means of superior speed. Whether he can do this depends, of course, oil his own pace, who gave him the pass, and F'e previous play. To make the most of his chances he should practice, where possible, 'gathering in the hall with one hand, as this will interfere less with his stride than the using of two. For many passes, of course this will be impossible, but lie may materially increase his chances if lie con do it. He should try, also, not to check himself as he sees that the pass is about to come to him. Often he is forced to do this by the man inside slowing up before the approach of an opponent, hut such ail act may make all the difference between getting clear and being tinkled. NOW FOR A SCORE.

When, in possession wiili only the full-back to beat his best plan is to make for one of the corners, relying first of all upon his speed. He must not, in this ease, show too soon which way he is going, as he enables the fullback to run across and intercept him. Running straight at the full-hack until he thought that he was the collect distance away, was advocated by an old international player, then he would cut away in the chosen direction. A variation of this is to make for a corner until tiie full-back is drawn across and then, once he is under way. to attempt to cut round inside him. The short punt over the lull-back’s head, ajul the attempt to rare him for it should never be indulged in. First of all .von fiieo tliu other non ;i start l'or the hall, and if you run overhaul him you should be able to run round him. ■Secondly, you throw a possible try to the luck of the bounce; thirdly, you are infringing an old Rugby maxim. Hint you should retain possession of the ball in attack. THE WING’S BEST FRIENDS. The long suit of Ihe wing must always lie Ills legs. If he is at all enterprising and at all dodgy lie should be able to make no lack of openings for himself. The side-step, or the sideways jump, when going at high speed, takes a very agile man. hut all can master the lend, and if they have any weight, can often heat a. tackier with their shoulder or a downward blow of the arm. especially in these high-tack-ling days. He should be able to swerve and practice running on the sides of his feet for that purpose, and should not neglect the now little used “shout" by which he suddenly claps on all his reserve and heats a tackier by this increase of speed after the other follow lias literally thrown himself forward in his tackle. The pass inside can bo used, as a rule, when the blind side of the scrum is worked, and the winger must realise that if he is cut off and cannot- get through his team will expect a punt back to about inidfiehl. He must not pass or kick until be has done, all that he can do with the ball, and he must not stray all over the field. The cross-kick esteemed a risky measure, should not he so speculative if practiced and. ho should not neglect it. And lie should seek to make himself » tackier and raise himself Out of the ruck of wings who are all very well in attack, but who in defence, will not “go down to it.”

THE CA I'TaTX. WIIAT ARK IHS DUTIES? An interesting feature in presentilny football is the control, or rather absence of couttol, that a captain ol n team lias over its members compared with a few years atm. On the field of plav a captain has a recognised autliorj tv which is usually obeyed. Oil the Held of play, however, the captain considers that his duty has ended, or if lie does not the members of his team do. consequently they go to their respective ways and practically do what they please. Contrast this position with the captains of days gone hy. Ihe captain of a team, years ago, had great influence over the players, off the field as well as on it. To disobey his instructions, would result in being left out of the team irrespective of whom the player might be. After a match the membelts of a team acre given n certain amount of ilceiise and they foregathered like a lot of schoolboys to make merry. Before a match the captain watched over his team ill a fatherly manner. He made it his business to find out where each individual member was and if he were found to do anything that might seriously interfere with his training the penalty would probably be one that the offender would not relish.

EXITED TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. The following players will represent Uniteds in their match with Hari Hari at Hari Hari on Saturday next.—D., Muir. Kortegast, Diedriehs, Lynch, Willoughby, Chapman, Hagar. Devaney, Cutbush. Coglan, Xante!;i veil. Duncan. O'Connor, AYclls, B. Smith, Gifford, G. IVright, McManaway. Anybody wishing to make the trip with the team please let the Secretary know before Friday night. The following Juniors will represent tJriiteds in their.- match with Rimu on Saturday next.—J. Wright, Andrews,

S. Smith, Muir. Reynolds, J. "Williams 15, Halgleish, j. R-ochford, Burrows, Dick, J). Head, F. Breeze, T. Coyle, Dimmick, H. Innis, Smith, A. Stopforth, T. Haussmann. B. Haussman, Edwards. Anyone unable to play please let tho Secretary know by Friday night. The Pirates will he selected from tlie following to play I'niteds at Rimu on Saturday:— Hagai', Kelly, Boyd, O’Connor (£), Comport (2), Cain, .Muir, Nolan, Maloney, -Mills, Morris, Dowelll, Rooney, Duncan, Shannon. N.Z. lU GBY UNION, [BY TEL KG HATH —PUIt Pit ESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. May 3. The balance sheet of the N.Z. Rugby Union to be presented at the annual meeting to-day discloses a loss on the year of £lßl7. At a meeting of the management Committee of the N-Z. University Club the presented balance sheet in connection with tlie Sydney University tour, showed a credit of about £750. A proposal to appoint three selectors for the Maori touring teams was referred to the incoming Committee.