THE RUGBY GAME.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 35, 12 June 1924, Page 3

THE RUGBY GAME.

SELWYN BEATS ROVERS. G*feat Match in the Wet. Waotu Defeats United. A continuous heavy downpour of rain made conditions about as miserable and wet as could be for the football matches in the Putaruru district cn Saturday afternoon. At Putaruru Selwyn played Rovers and Tokoroa won by default from Puketurua. At Waotu Waotu played United. SELWYN 10, ROVERS 3. Considering the very wet weather, the Selwyn-Rovers’ match was a particularly gccd one, and easily the best in the Put arum Union’s competithis season, a high standard of football being maintained. Selwyn played a particularly vigorous and consistent game, making very few mistakes and evincing practice, experience and' clever head work. Rovers showed flashes of brilliance and generally reached a good standard, but did net evince the consistency in good play of their opponen s, whose victory, by ten points to three, was fully earned . From th} kick-off Selwyn forwards, ably supported by their backs, took •he offensive and were not long before they had the reds (Rovers) down in the Rovers’ 25. Here from the ruck, Jones, a blue (Selwyn), forward, n-pped the ball back to his lea-- uard, who, passing with good snar>. r-'rt 4 - it out to Tawhi at wing thre: quarter. Tawhi side-stepped one red. battled past two others, and crossed the line to score, as he was brought down by the next. The kick at goal p.u.ed too difficult, leaying the opening score: Selwyn 3, Rovers 0. Rovers asserted themselves and worked play to the other end' of 'field. In a scrum Selwyn hooked, but the leather faltered, and Woolliams (Rover half back) came round and booted it over the goalline, 20 yards away, before the Selwyn half-back could pick it up. Woolliams followed fast, but Reweti (Selwyn full-back) beat him in going down on it by half-a-second. Rovers then tried passing rushes, but Selwyn proved too good at intercepting and tackling. Led by the tall forward, Norton, who played an , excellent game throughout, Rover forwards maintained the pressure and quick footwork by them saw a line-out right against the Selwyn goal-line. From the throw-in, Norton bY. Jed the ball over at his toe, but diminutive McArthur (Selwyn half-back) was under the big man as they went down on it together. The change over came and the second quarter followed without any further alteration in the score. The play in this spell was fairly even, with the advantage, if any, to the Gelywn forwards. In the third quarter the contest —""continued with the same vigour and swiftness, and in the loose Taylor and Jones, with splendid pace and good weight, showed up for Selwyn, and were ably backed by their fellow forwards. The Rovers’ fielding W as good, and saved the position for Rovers on sundry occasions. However, Selwyn were not to be denied, and another quick rush in the loose saw them drive the ball over at their toe, and Jones just beat the reds in going down on it,, making Selwyn 6, Rovers nil. Again the * goal-kick failed.

In the fourth quarter Rovers made great efforts to even matters, and in hot defensive work in their own. 25 Selwyn infringed. Rovers thus got a good chance at goal, but * the ball hit the far post, and rebounded away. Again Rovers returned to the attack, and another " infringomer.gavd them a further chance at goal. This time, however, the ball went wide and well-back. Reweti picked it up and Selwyn and most of the spectators took it that jt had been forced or had gone beyond the dead-ball line. No whistle, however, was sounded, hut Reweti released the ball, kicking it lightly up to quarter way, apparently for a drop-out* Woolliams picked it up an d ran forward without opposition, to score by the posts. This can only , be described as a silly score, due to Selwyn taking things for granted, without the confirmation of the referee’s whistle. Woolliams’ quick wit let him in. Rovers’ kick at goal again failed, leaving the register at Selwyn 6, Rovers 3. From the ensuing kick-off at half-way, Selwyn began to work forward, when the ball came out of the ruck and worked out towards the wing. Wood (a Selwyn forward) picked it up, and dropping it to his toe sent it well up and it crossed the bar as it was coming to the ground again. It was a magnificent goal, being from well out in | g^ t he field and at an angle, and was greeted with the rousing acclamation it deserved. Its cleverness was emphasised by it following so soon

the previous simple score. Soon afj ter wards the game ended, with the score thus: Selwyn 10, Rovers 3. Mr. C. Snell refereed. WAOTU 9, UNITED 3: In the W aotu-U nited match, at Waotu, the home team earned their win, giving a more consistent exhibition than United. In the first quarter United opened strongly, forwards and backs working well and keeping Waotu mostly on the defensive. No spore, however, resulted. On changing round Waotu were seen to be asserting themselves, and a forward scramble saw them rush the lea 4 her through, F. Toetoe (Waotu) and another Wactu player going down cn it in a handy position. The minor points, however, were not added. United were not long in mak-

ing matters even. They were close to Waotu’s goal line when the ball went out of touch against the corner. Getting it quickly before Waotu had fully rallied to the line out, Gasparich (United) sent it out to F. Tomalin (United), who dived over. The goal kick proved too difficult, leaving the score at three all. Waotu, however, were not long in returning United’s compliment. A line out occurring against United’s goal line, M. Phillips (Waotu) got the ball quickly before United had formed up in defence, and sent it well out to D’Arcy, who dived over to make the score Waotu 6, United 3. The figures were

still at this at half-time, and the third spell saw no alteration. United three-quarters, however, were handling weakly, and in the final quarter another forward rush saw Waotu break through, and Tiller, for Waotu, score the final try, which was not converted. The game tTTus concluded

with the score, Waotu 9, United 3. Mr. G. P. Portas was the FIRST ROUND RESULTS. Saturday’s matches concluded 4 he end of the first round, with the position of the various teams as fellows: Selwyn, 10 points. Rovers, 7 points. United, 5 points. Waotu, 4 points. Tokoroa, 4 points. Puketurua, nil. THE SCHOOLS COMPETITION. A meeting of the Putaruru Schools Rugby Union was held in the Putaruru school on Saturday morning, Mr. F. C. Barnett, the chairman, presiding. Mr. R. Pepperill attended on behalf of the Lichfield school and intimated that school’s intention of taking part in the schools competition. The draw for the first round of the competition was made and resulted as follows:—June 14: Putaruru v. Patetere, at Patetere. June 21: WaotuLichfield v. Mangatapu-Tapapa, at Putaruru. June 28: Putaruru v. Waotu-Lichfield, at Putaruru; Patetere v. Mangatapu-Tapapa, at Putaruru. July 5: Putaruru v. Manga-tapu-Tapapa, at Putaruru; Patetere v. Waotu-Lichfield, place to be yet appointed.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Last week’s meeting of the management committee of the Putaruru Rugby Union was attended by Messrs. J. Barr Brown (chairman), N. H. Ashford (secretary), R. E. Brown (Puketurua), Francis (Selwyn), W. Dodd (Waotu), and G. E. Martin (United). On behalf of tlv* .newly-formed Putaruru School 3 Rugby Union, Mr. J. Gasparich also attended and l submitted an application for the affiliation of that body. Affiliation was granted, without fee, and Mr. Gasparich accepted as the schools delegate. An offer by Mr. Ashford to donate a banner for the schools’ competition was accepted with thanks. The purchase of a football for the Putaruru school, as winners of the previous school competition was authorised. The secretary reported several names of players who had taken part in matches, but were apparently not registered with the union. Investigation showed that in all except one case the men were registered, but wrong initials had been given on the field. The exception was the case of R. Jones, the prominent Selwyn forward, of whom no registration could be found. The seriousness of the matter was commented on, and it was resolved that as a warning to the Selwyn club it be asked to show cause why it should not forfeit the two matches in which it had played Jones.

An application by the Selwyn Club that its return matches with United and Rovers be played at Mangatapu, drew forth the remark that this was in contravention to the club’s original declaration that it would' regard its home ga'ound as being at Putaruru. Members pointed out that the cost of a team and referee travelling to Mangatapu was several times greater than the cost of the Selwyn team travelling to Putaruru, as ears had to be engaged for the return trip to Mangatapu, but the train suited for the return trip to Putaruru. Moreover, the Selwyn team had not been put to the cost of travelling to Waotu, Tokoroa and Puketurua as the other teams had. The United representative said that

while the difficulty of financing the trip might prove on effectual bar, good support for football was always forthcoming at Mangatapu, and, if feasible, it might be worth while to hold one or two matches there. At his suggestion it was resolved to defer the matter for a week to allow the Rover and United clubs to consider it. THE ALL BLACKS. The team to tour Great Britain has been chosen. Viewed as a whole it is a g'ood side. Whether it is up to he standard of the great All Blacks son only be judged at the termination of the tour. When that team left New Zealand few anticipated that they would be as successful as they were. When they returned many players had improved almost out of sight. Raw material, so to speak, had been knocked into shape, and the months of association together and mental and physical training produced the polished article and the finest Rugger combination that this Dominion has seen. The team that leaves so shortly will return much improved. How much time alone will show.

Generally, the writer has the opinion that the forwards are fully equal to those of the 1905 team. Probably they are a little faster, they are equally big, if not larger men, and should become a wonderful division with their weight, height and pace. Of the backs one has doubts if they will equal the great combination of their predecessors. There has been a dearth of good backs in New Zealard of late, and the Springboks’ tour demonstrated that the standard had

"alien away. Nor have any of the -resent hack division shown the brilliancy that may warrant entertaining the thought that they will rival Hunter, Stead, Deans, Wallace and others as great players and great generals. Still it does not do to be sure on this point, for the trip may provide the chance that some of the young players require. It is hardly expected that the team will be as successful as the first All Blacks in England. Then Rugby was at a low ebb at Home, and the visit of the All Blacks was looked upon prior to the team’s arrival as a holiday jaunt for “ our overseas cousins.” After the first few r matches Great Britain woke up to the fact that a match with the All Blacks was no holiday. The trip provided a needed stimulant to British Rugger. Football is at a very much higher standard throughout Great Britain at present than it was in 1905. It ' will also he found that the teams are crained and the visitors of this year will probably find their task much harder than the first team did. ; Turning to the team there is hound to be a diversity of opinion as the selection. With so many good fyrwards available the selection became one of opinion. Leaving on one side some half-a-dozen forwards who are outstanding, the remainder are so nearly equal that opinions must differ. Luck counted. One player happened to have a day out and chances came his way, and he caught the selectors’ eye, with the result that he has a trip Home. Another player equally good has not the good fortune and he misses a place. But however much opinions may differ the fact is unquestionable that it is a great forward division. In the backs there was unfortunately not the same material to chose from. Nepia, from his games, appears to have fairly won the position of fullback. One full is quite sufficient for the team, for there are plenty of threequarters who can be dropped back should necessity arise, and for that matter either rover and some of the forwards could take up the position. The threequarter line appears to be weak in centres. It is unquestionably that New Zealand has not at the present day any great outstanding ceiftres. Svenson and Brown appear to be chosen for ths position. Objection has been taken to Svenson on the ground that his outsides are faster than he is. How many great centres have been faster or as fast as their outsides ? The late Bobby Deans, the great centre of the first All Blacks, was not nearly as fast as the wing threequarter, but running straight he made the openings. For a centre to be faster than his outsides would mean that it would have to slacken pace to allow them to keep up. The four five-eighths appear hardly up to the standard of their predecessors, and on their New Zealand form their weakness will be in defence. The greatest controversial issue has been over the halves. Wright was boosted by the Auckland papers with a persistence that became nauseating. Unquestionably he is a good half, hut that he is so wonderfully superior to the others has not been conclusive to the impartial onlooker, and evidently not to the selectors. Dailey is a most useful man, and plays anywhere in the backs. His inclusion was rather a surprise, thought the Southern papers have spoken well of his performances in the trials. Suml med up briefly, it would seem that • there was little difference between : the halves, and the selectors chose

the two they regarded as the best men. One of the most amusing sidelights on the selection of the team has been the parochial attitude of the Auckland daily papers. Throughout it has been Auckland. The telegraphed special reports and comments of the trials have been nothing short of ludicrous ,if only on account of the contradictory statements made. The one mission of the Auckland press would appear to have been not to pick the best team, but to boost as many Aucklanders into it as possible. What the Auckland writers forgot—or possibly never realised —is that the Auckland rep team might be likened to a very fine, well-oiled piece of machinery under the control of an expert machinist. Ifwerson was the brains of the Auckland team—-the expert machinist. Remove him and the machine was not so effective. This was clearly shown in the earlier stages of the recent All Black trial in Auckland. The Auckland backs did not show their usual form until Ifwerson came on the field. He restored the morale, inspired confidence, and got the best out of the machine. Throughout the Dominion there are many players equal to, if oqi 03. ‘AnenpiAiput ‘.loi.iadns members of the Auckland team. The selectors of the All Blacks were chosing the individuals as individual players, not as to which pro-

vince had the best combined side. The trip and the training- will produce this effect, and give the team the combination which it must lack at present. To hold the opinion that Wright is a better half than Mill or Dailey cannot be taken exception to, even though one may not agree with it. It is a matter of individual opinion. But to write “ that Auckland cannot be said to have received fair treatment,” is to make a serious allegation against the' selectors and to show a very small mind. IMPRESSIONS OF THE TRIALS. The following letter from a gentleman who saw four of the trial games and is a good judge of football, having represented several provinces in his youth, may be of interest: “ I think the selectors have carried out their task very well, and there is little to take exception to in the selection of the team. The forwards are a hefty lot, and when they have played together for a few matches

should settle down to become a very formidable pack. They are fast and heavy, and their height on the line out should prove very useful for feeding the backs. The selectors very wisely appear to have taken into consideration size, going on the axiom that a good big man is better than a good small one. The scrum work in all the trials was poor, due no doubt to the lack of combination. It was hard to judge between the hookers as hookers, and it was almost impossible to say which man was getting the ball. The locks are big men, but require training to the position for the impression was conveyed that neither locked their front rankers firm enough. Harvey is a fine type of a young forward, and has pace, and weight, some 14 stone. It is said that he started his football career as full-back for Wairarapa. The veteran West is as good as ever and I was glad to see him get a place. He is the bustling type of forward that will be very useful. The others are bustlers, too, and it was

a treat to watch the way they tore into the game. The tackling was good. The Brownlie Bros., Richardson and Stewart made it clear from the first game that they must be selected. A great deal was expected of Pringle by the Wellington public, but he never realised expectations. Some of the other forwards were clever on the loose and open, but were not hustlers. In my opinion McLean is not the forward he was last year, and I was disappointed with the game he played l . Both the wings are fast, heavy men, who handle the ball well. I think Parker will make a great name for himself.

“ The backs, it has to be confessed, were not impressive from an international standard. They were strangers to each other, and this had a lot to do with the lack of competition shown. Nepia was the outstanding full-back, and he was brilliant. I should not be surprised to see him at centre threequarter in some games. Hart is the most promising of the wing threequarters. He has plenty of pace and goes for the line in no half-hearted manner. Fed properly he should' be a great scorer. Steel was right back to his best form in the South Island trial, and his brilliancy relieved the mediocrity of the play in that match. Robilliard is of the solid type of player, and it is possible may be used at full-back sometimes. Svenson has a lot to learn at centre, and his games right through the trials did not make one think that he was in the right position. The conditions in the last trial hardly allowed one to form an opinion of Brown, but from what was seen it would seem likely that he will develop into a good centre. He

is fast and handles the ball well. He is quite a young player, and the trip should give him the experience he requires. The five-eighths are the weak spot, and the trouble is more in the first than the second. The best combination shown was by Mark Nicholls and Cooke. McGregor gives promise and he is about the strongest five-eighths on defence. Badley was better than either Perry or Paewai. Perry never showed his form of last season, but at that I think he is sounder on defence than the Hawkes’ Bay- man, and I think on the whole I would have preferred to see him included, especially in view of the defensive work that must fall on the second line in their biggames. The greatest puzzle was the selection of the halves. Wisely, in view of the experience of the 1905 tour, it was decided to take two players for this position. Of all the men tried out there was no outstanding player of the type of Freddy or Teddy Roberts. In my opinion Dailey was the best of the lot. He is raw, but a great trier and a tiger on defence. At first few gave him a chance, but he fairly played himself into the team. Of the other candidates it was hard to make a selection. I had heard a great deal about Wright, but he may have been off his game, but 1 certainly did not think he played up to the reputation he has been given. He is pretty and neat, but though Mill was not equal to him in this respect, yet Mill struck me as stronger on defence and possessing more initiative. Personally, I would have preferred Nicholls to either Wright or Mill, as he has more “ head,” and 1 really believe is more versatile. There was so little between the men on the games that it was hard to say definitely, as one could do about some of the forwards, that any one was infinitely better than the other, and I fancy that the possibilities of development must have influenced the selectors. Anyway, I am glad I was not a selector, for they had a hard task. Thinking over the team I believe it will fully up hold the prestige of this country. The fact that so many of the players are young\sters is a great thing in its favour, and I fancy that most of them will improve a lot when they get coached and play together.