METROPOLIS

NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 14

METROPOLIS

Winners Had Stuff That Counts (From "N.Z. Truth's". Wellington Rep.) Wellington's flutter into the representative field, of Rugby against , Auckland last Saturday went to . show that if. the city fifteen is not brilliant it is solid and can be depended upon to give a gopd account of itself. THEIR victory over Auckland by 17 points to 13, at Athletic Park, was well deserved, for on the days' play, they were the better team. This much can v.be said for Auckland, however; several of their players were m the North Island: team at Christchurch, whereas Wellington only had one similar absentee. Nevertheless, the northern fifteen was a comparatively strong one and with the combination it should have acquired during its successful southern tour, it should have,been able to produce better football. If Auckland-were unlucky not to increase their score, the same can be said for Wellington who were several times over the line, but were called back for an infringement. Although safe at full-back for Wellington, Cuming was nothing to enthuse over. His line-kicking, however, was good, but his play throughout never- rose above average full-back standard. VARSITY'S LINE The three-quai'ter line, lifted m toto from the Varsty fifteen (Brown, Ramson and Mackay), worked m complete unison. They have a good understanding of each other's play. In"the first ten minutes of play, Brown made a few blunders and seemed a trifle nervous. He was as keen as mustard though, and just breaking his neck for a run. When he settled down, he played with more of his usual dash .and after half-time, when the teams changed over, he had his run, scoring a try out near the corner. Ramsori played a good game, but is a bit of an enigma so far as his goalkicking is concerned. When there was a difficult one to put. over the bar he managed to do it, but when an easy one came his way he mulled the effort . ' Two easy kicks m front of the posts were spoilt m this fashion. Possibly he treated the job with contempt and took it too easily. Mackay easily warranted his place m the team. Always alive to opportunities, his opposing man always found him a difficult proposition when m possession of the ball. In the, five-eighths line, Chahey and Mackenzie worked m complete harmony. The former was as full of tricks as a monkey and with his snappy, varied play, he often had. the Auckland defence at sea. Coman, at half-back, prove * the contention that he is the best m Jiat position m Wellington this season. He had an attempt to pot a field goal during the earlier stages of play, but it proved to be an excellent grubber kick. Behind a winning pack of forwards, he was liberally supplied w.ith the leather and made good use of it, always whipping the ball out with alacrity. A clever little player, he knows the art of defence when his side is, hard pressed. On Saturday he often turned defence into attack. On the day's .play the Wellington forwards were superior. They secured possession from the majority of scrums but m the line-outs were not so successful. In the loose, however, they were easily a match for the Auckland' vanguard. Just before half time, Edgar"was injured and was replaced by . Claridge. Up till then he was going well. Claridge justified the confidence placed m him by the selector. . Jessup and Coulston, the two front row men worked well together. They should hold down their job for the rest of the season. In the loose none toiled harder than Sly and Shearer. Once Sly finished off a fine effort by Chancy. POSSESSION NINE POINTS Auckland' have a fine set of backs and on their showing last Saturday, had they received a greater share of the ball they might have been able to reverse matters. • Butler, the full-back, has been selected to represent. New Zealand against the New South Welshmen on September 5. On last Saturday's form he isn't good enough for this position, but the selectors evidently think he is the best offering. They failed to give him a chance m the North Island team against South, yet he secures the full-back position m the New Zealand team.' • ■> Undoubtedly he possesses a safe pair of-hands and is sound m defence, but last Saturday -his line-finding was atrocious. It is to be hoped it was one of his off days. He is possessed of a good boot; though, for he converted one of Auckland's tries, and undoubtedly would have landed another had the kick not been forfeited.' Falwasser is a clever, tricky player on Auckland's wing, but he is not a great speed merchant. Last Saturday he was well watched. Goodwin, on the opposite wing, tackles well, but he had a hard man to pass m Mackay. He never had many opportunities. ■ Jamieson and Jenkin were awake to chances, but their handling m the first half was not all it should be. In the second spell, they came to light and indulgedjn some pretty passing. Carter, at half, knew what to do with the leather when it came his way, but he did not shine to the same extent as his vis-a-vis. He was harried continually by the Wellington wing -torward, Wilson. Wing-forward Linton proved to be a great harrier. He was always on the job and gave the opposition !no rest. He came through the . ruck once,, secured possession and with a clear field, sprinted for the line. With a good start, Brown and Coman failed to overtake him before he vwas a yard from his objective, but he managed to take them over with him.. It was a great effort and deserving of success. •Of the forwards, Strange was one ot the best toilers. Another, who stotfd out prominently was Lomas. Big Kahu locked the scrum well and also did some good work m the open. In the second spell the .whole pack tore into it with a will, their fast following up often penning the Wellington men on their own goal-line. Had it not been for the excellent defence riut up by the homesters, even at the last minute* the northerners might have turned the.tables.. . A clean;, hard and willing game, it was fully appreciated by the fourteen thousand-.odd spectators. ,