The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1928. A RUGBY WATARLOO.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1928. A RUGBY WATARLOO.

Tub result of the first, tost match between the All Blacks and Springboks was awaited very eagerly. The iin- [ porta-nce of the game appeared to | transcend all else, and was discussed ! on all sides from every point of view, j No less concerned and interested in [ the clash wore the good people of I South Africa, who also placed the j probable outcome in the forefront of s conversation. The result was learned j here early yesterday morning, and j later broadcasted from both Wcllingj ton and Christchurch. The score, I needless to sav, had a staggering I effect. To win by 17 points to nil, | placed the jawsibilities of 'doubtful doI feat above all argument. The margin | was too great to admit of any “its” or i “huts.'’ and the result had to he accepted as a plain demonstration of fact—the fact that the South Africans wore the superior team. The match prior to being played was regarded as something of the nature of a Waterloo in Rugby. Both sides were confident of victory. At this range it was not too much to hope for a New Zealand victory. Although eight games had been played on the tour, and two lost, the defeats were not routs. The margin of victory was small in each case, and the .games played early in the tour, before the All Blacks had recovered completely their shore legs. In the subsequent matches’ they showed improved and improving form, and by the time of the first test game it was expected with every confidence that the team would have combination and condition equal to requirements. Of the eight matches played the All Blacks had won six and lost two, scoring 108 points against 37. This aggregate supplied an average hv which comforting possibilities were arrived at, hut the actual result quite upset the calculations. That the Springboks are good exponents of Rugby was demonstrated when in New Zealand some seven years ago. In their first eight matches on that tour they won six, lost one, and drew one. Their scoring was 123 against 24. On that comparison they were the better travelling team. In the matches leading up to the recent test game, the two defeats of the All Blacks were against the best teams. It was from tlio.se teams that the victors to he were chiefly selected, and the individuals had a persona 1 knowledge of the All Black style of play. Tt scents to be a question whether a varied national style of play.can count in the end. Rugby since the days of its inception calls for certain methods, which departed from, usually weakens the whole. The essential part of Rugby is that the. forwards are there to act as vanguards to afford or. make a.n opening for the hacks. Scoring should come essentially from the hack division. It is for the forwards to secure the ball, not for themselves, hut for the backs. In the call for variety in play there has been too much of a tendency to adopt, loose open play in the forward division, hut for team work this is not profitable. The only loose play suitable to forwards for effectiveness is dribbling and in these days of individual prowess it'is becoming a lost art. The axiom in Rugby

is for tho forwards to use their feet and the backs their hands. It is the backs’ privilege to take a ball and making use of speed, evade opponents, or start a passing, game to mystify the other side. This is mentioned by way of suggestion and not as excuse. New Zealand is drifting away from the true Rugby of other days, and white there may be brilliant play individually, there is generally lacking nowadays that manifestation of team work which is tho essential thing in Rugby. No doubt tho All Blacks will profit by the severe lesson of the first lest. There are other matches to eqme affording an opportunity to redeem the position, and still return with honours thick upon them. After all, it is the* giiiuo which is the pleasure, and playing the game gives its own joyful thrills and recompense. For the remainder of the tour the All Blacks will be more on their mettle than over—and naturally that will need to be if the Rugby tables are to he turned .