RUGBY AFFAIRS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 20, 16 September 1931, Page 4

RUGBY AFFAIRS

PRESIDENT MAKES STRONG CRITICISM OF PLAYERS. GAMES FOR SATURDAY. "I am very disappointed *by the t small amount of interest the players j are taking in football," Said the pre- ; sident of the Rotorua Rugby tJhion, | Mt. G. H. Masoh, at the meeting -of I the management committee on Mdn-> day evfening: "if the "teams lose a I few games the players become dis- j heartened and won't turn up, and the | team is forced to fieid short. They are bad lbsers. > ' . . • • "It is time the senior clubs emp- : tied out some of their piayers and filled their- ranks with enthusiastic juniot's. As they are now, they are e'ertainly no credit' to- either their club or their uniqn." • • Mr. Webb said that he had brought forward the same thing last year and endorsed the president's words. . Mr. G. H.- Mason : "1 b-lame the clubs entirely. They are far tod k.een to k'eep a player in case they shbuld he short, without considering whether he - is worth it or not, Until the clubs will take a .stand and hot lfet the players rule them, they will never do anything. Give the juniors a chanee, instead of playing around with half-hearted and unreliable men. "The players seem to want us to ■beg and pray for them jto cdme and play," - Mr., Mason continued. "It . is a continual struggle for both the delegates and the co.mmitr tee to get the men to turn out. What is the uSe of a club's existence-under such conditions? Not only that, but.4" a team never turns out with the same players twice ih siiccession;" • : Mr. T. S. Robeftsdii welcomed .the return of Mr. A. L, Wallace, Seeretary of the uniott, whd has been away on sick leave, and hdped that his holi'~ day had been of benefit to him. The qUestioh of the dr'defing off of a Waiariki player ih the senidr mdtch agaifist Waikite last Saturday. :for rough play waS discussed and action was deferred until next meeting in order to obtaih a report frdm the.offender. The caSe of a Kaharoa player, ordered dff in the juiiior match against Kahukura for striking was also considered. The teferee said that the man practically admitted the offenCe. It was decided that .the player be suspended until he appearsbefore the management committee. On the motion of Mr. Webb' the president was tendered the thanks of the committee for meeting the Wallabies as the represCtttative 'of the union when they visited Rotorua last Week-end. Fixtures for Saturday are as follows : — Seniors. Ponsonby v. Rotorua, at 1.30, ,No. 1 groUnd. Tauranga v. Rotorua, at 3 p.m., No. 1 ground. Juniors. A. Reps. v. B. Reps, at 2 p.m., No.2 ground. The selectors are to pick the two senior teams. A practice will be heid oh Thursday evening ih the Government Grounds at 7.45 p.m. Mr. Webb will act as coaeh. Mr. A. De Luen will act as manager of the teani against Ponsonby and Mr. R. Masoh will manage the team againt Tauranga. A senior representative team is to be picked to play against College Rifles at Rotorua oh September 26.