RUGBY REVIVAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 2

RUGBY REVIVAL

QUEENSLAND COM MS BACK

N.SAV. RECEIVES FRIGHT. Queensland's return to the amateur game definitely finalises the complete recovery Rugby lias made in Australia. Until some three years ago the amateur game wa.s extinct in the northern State but Queensland can now field a fifteen that would seriously challenge the full strength of New South Wales. “New South Wales Rugby Un on officials have a lot to lie proud of when they consider the way in which the code has come hack into prominence in recent years,” writes “Rambler” in the “Sporting Globe” on tlie recent match between the two States, “but Queensland enthusiasts have, accomplished more, for the game died out fjiere, and now they are able to extend the Light Blues. Harold Baker warned the N.SAV. team and their supporters that they should not take Queensland too cheaply. They heeded him, niirt even then the northerners gave tlteiii il shock.

“Queensland deserve credit for the game they played. Beaten by three points (18—16), they had the bettei- of New South Wales for n great part of the match. Tom Lawton a bright dodgy five-eighth ten years ago when he was pursuing his course at Sydney University, impressed the New Zealanders, whom J. T. Tilyard led. They were about the weakest that had over < tossed tlie Tasman but they poured through (he N.SAV. team. They prar 1 I i wen but even so we doubted if lie had the necessary solidity in defence, G ung 1o Oxford, lie earned cmninendati >n, . nd coming back was a more dependable player. Though time is slowing him down, he is still worth a place in the side. He is perhaps a little less mpi>v than hitherto—Tom is now 31—but he is still the quickest thinker in Rugby and knows in a twinkling whether to kick or open up play. When he does kick his judgement in finding the open spaces or getting touch is uncanny. His gathering of .the ball .was beautiful. “There was, always a slight doubt about the Queenslande’s defence, and if the, ground bo ,heavy and the British team resort to . dribbling lie may be found a wee bit wanting in rush stopping, but i the former Rhodes scholar is still a fine player.

GREAT FULL-BACK. “No player, however, impressed inore than full-back, J; Steggall, of Queensland. Australia is in need of a good player in this position. A. W. Ross, the finest the State has ever had ill the position, has appeared spasmodically only this winter, Westfield consistent enough and is lacking m weight. Steggall has arrived oppdttunelv. He did not err in fielding the very lively ball off the hard ground and his catching was equally safe. Plenty of length marked his kicking with either foot, and better tackling has not been seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground for some time. He seemed to come from nowhere, to bring , White down with a flying tackle, and a little later forward Mackney, taking the last of a long string of passes, was on a goaler and march when the maroon form of Steggall shot through the air and Mackney’s march ended. His display was better than any by a. Queensland full-back since the days of Bob •McGowan. Phil Carmichael could handle the hall and kick quite as well, hut there was always some uncertainty about Phil’s tackling. OTHER GOOD NORTHERNERS. “Bennett got the ball away well, though on neither side was the heeling very clean. The Queenslander was also plucky in defence. Both centres, Ba’own and Arneil, played well, though early Lawton gave the impression that he .could not trust them. “Whyatt and Thomson showed out in loose work. They were untiring, and breakaway Clarke, whilst doing his share in the scrum, did a lot of good spoiling work by getting away smartly. Bonis hooked well, but the ball did not get out smartly, there being a lot of fighting in the scrums.”