FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL

RUGBY LEAGUE. AUSTRALIANS BEAT YORK* " ; (United Press Association—By Electri® Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, Sept. 11. The Australian League team beat York bv’ 32—11. ' 1 ■ : ; '*• , . .*■ -—. i i —. jMaMBI , r r ' w SCRUM FORMATION. t BRITISH OR DOMINION? LONDON, August lj? Mr C. W. PackfoycUpens the* following in the “Sporting Tiife”.:— ? It is- my gratifying to read in a cable from Sydney,* that “the improvement in. the jflandArd. of the Australian Rugby Union game, following the visit to England of the Waratahs in 1927, has been demonstrated •by the Australian successes against the touring New Zealand team.”, . ...hIt hears out what 1 have long contended, that, apart from individual skill, the formation /adopted ;by the four British Unions is superior'Jto that of the Dominions. ?'.V

Neither Australia nor New Zealghd has yet officially recognised t.that with, the magnificent physical resources;,.attheir command their gamesJ would'be more effective if their forwards packed 3-2-3, instead of a combination* of seven men, who must necessarily '.be handicapped in an attempt to obtain possession. The ideal distribution .of weight alone in the British games makes this inevitable. .WiL

I am quite prepared, now that'they have lost three of their four. .- Tests with Australia—a fate thatnever bn opened to them before—to find New Zealand, listening in all seriousness to the suggestions of Mark Nicliolls, possibly the , greatest player in the invincible 1924cteam, that‘ ! so far as the forwards are concerned there should be 'an alteration of methods by the inclusion of another man.

' Nieliolls, bauas his argument ron the fact that during the 1924 tour their backs were not put in possession as frequently 'as would have been the case had the 3-2-3 formation • beeii in operation. And Bis opinions are regarded ..in.. lNewiZealaut]; as:i;>p; • uable that I am quite prepared to see them adopted when the British 'team visits the Antipodes hi. 1930.' • Frankly, the whole thing to me is very amusing. I shall never forget in 1924 when. the All Blacks were sweeping everything before them, how the Rugby Union, qr rather the Selection Committee, were solemnly nrned that; they would he courting ’disaster- if- they did hot- field ‘an ,i,pterpationnl team with a formation exactly similar to that of our rivals. They were, fortunately, not at . all intimidated; v -afid gave as a ‘fifteen . that was distinctly unlucky . not ?.f°. have won a memorable game—in fact, nothing will ever 'convince me « two of the New Zealand tries on that occasion—especially one •’ By Steelshould not have Been ' disallowed.