FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL

In view of flic fact that the British team will he with us next season, form in the international panics at Momo this year is <vf more than ordinary interest. 'Die panics this season show that there is little to choose between | the lour fit toons of the Old hand, while I'ranee is still able to put up a hravo light. with the host of them. Ireland defeated England at Twickenham by six points to live; Wales outplayed Scotland at Swansea ; England beat Wales; and Scotland got the hotter of Ireland. ARE HUG BY PLAYERS TOO OLD ? There is a growing conviction that Rugby players are past their prime after having seen 28 winters. They are wakening up to this fact in Great Britain.

“ The Scottish Union’s selection against Ireland has not had a good Bless,” states the “ Athletic News.” “ Public opinion anticipated something more heroic, and regarded the choice as unimaginative and humdrum. There | is a similarity between England’s attitude of mind and that of Scotland—and a difference. Followers of the game, in both countries, are persuaded that their national teams carry too many veterans, hut, whereas England would appear to have just awakened to the ifact, Scotland has known the dreadful truth for quite a while. In the case of England it is forwards, who lag superfluous on the stage; in tho case of Scotland it is hacks. The Scottish team against Wales was criticised | when chosen, and Swansea confirmed the critics in their view that reliance was being placed on players who were past their best. But the lesson of Nwansei] has not been laid to heart.” Tho question of when a Rugby star is too old to be of service to an international side is a debatable one. The 1905 All Black team which startled the Rugby world in Great Britain in 1905-6 contained many seasoned players. G. Smith was 33 years of ago, W.

Cunningham. H. ALynotb, and T). Gallagher 29, AW J. Stead and G. A. Gillett 28. E. T. Harper, AV. S. Glenn, and AA'. J. AVallace 27. and E. E. Booth, J. Hunter, G. A. Tyler, and G. Nicholson 26. Of the South African team which surprised New Zealand in 1921, A\ r . H. Alorkel and N. du Ploss’s were 35,

Gerhard Alorkel 33, H. Alorkel and T. B. Pienaar 32. J. Al. Miehau 30, L. B. Siedle and H. Seholtz, 29, and J. B. de

liers, S. S. F. Strauss. J. AV. vai

Rooyen, and A. P. AA'alker 28. AVho would dare to assert that any of these great players were past their prime on that famous tour, in which the Springboks suffered only two defeats, out of nineteen matches? The 1924 New Zealand team which made the triumphal tour of Great Britain in 1924 also included some ‘‘old heads.” A. AABiite and A. AA’est had seen 30 winters, C. Badelev, J. H. Parker, C. J. Brownlie, B. Y. McCleary and H. G. Alunro 27. And to come down to more recent years, the All Black team which toured South Africa last season included, in the captain, Maurice Brownlie, a player who was 31 years of age. AVith him were L. AI. Johnson. 0. J. Brownlie and P. AATird, who "'ere 29, and E. Snow, 28. It will thus appear that old Rugby players, like old soldiers, never die; they simply fade away. But if the British selectors next season send us a team composed of players ranging in age from 20 to 26, it may cause Rugby selectors throughout the world to review their Ideas concerning the ideal age for players. Can a man of 29 or 30 keep going as tirelessly or push as hard as a youngster round about 24?

POPULAR. SPRTXOBOTvS. The faot that the English Rugby Union has asked the International Board to invite a South African team to tour the four Home unions in the season 1932-33 has pleased everyone connected with the game in Britain (says a Uondon correspondent). There, is no reason to believe that the International Board will not readily give its assent. To!' let it be known that on every occasion a Springbok team has been in England, or rather Britain, it has played the game in a spirit which has ahya.vs appealed.

Of course South Africa has a great reputation to keep up. The members of sides captained bv Paul Boos and Billy Miller were the aristocrats of the Rugby world—how can we ever forget them with their wizardry—and when the next combination comes here, is it not natural that we should expect to see something out of the rut? I do not know whether to say there are the same brilliant backs in South Africa as there acre in 1900 and 1012. but having built up a great name by the standard of play in the last two tours, we in this country are naturally expecting something outstanding when the team plays here. If popular opinion counts lor anything, then the International Board will not delay the invitation to the Springboks, who, with all due respect to the match-winning achievements of the All Blacks, are likely to be the greatest attraction in the Rugby world for many years. The Springboks are always welcome in Britain, they always play the game in the right sporting spirit, an impression held not only by the general public, but also by every Rugby legislator in the four Home unions.