RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 17 June 1927, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AT"RANDOM. MANAWATU v. HOROWHENUA ON SATURDAY. On Saturday, our ancient, but friendly rivals, Manawatu, Avill come seeking our scalps Avitli a vengeance. That they will make a bold bid for victory this year, goes Avithout saying, for it must not be forgotten that they have the stigma of those tAvo sound beatings they received at the hands of HoroAvhenua last season, to Avipe out. From reports to hand the Green and Whites are stronger this year than for some seasons past, and the selectors up that way have made every effort to get the best team a\ T ailable in the field, so that HoroAvlienua Avill ha\'e to look to laurels. Whatever the outcome, this annual game Avith our sister union is probably the most enjoyable one Wfi, have on our representative programme, and although keen rivalry is the key-, note of these games, there is ahvavs a friendliness displayed that- make them pleasant for players and public alike.

THE HOROWHENUA TEAM. Noav that the Horowhenua team has been announced, there is the usual number of quidnuncs only too ready to improve on the selections. That the selector, to the best of his ability, has done his Avork thoroughly is Avithout question, and knoAving ths gentleman as we do and recognising liis ability for the job, Ave have the assurance that those he has pinned liis faith to, Avill give a good account of themselves. lloAvever, criticism is the essence of achievement, particularly in Ihe football firmament, and in vieAV of important events ahead, a few remarks about the personnel of the team selected, should not do any harm. Ryder, the chosen full-back, has been given his chance and it is the sincere 'wish of every enthusiast that this game little player Avill make good. Up to the present, lie -has not reproduced the form in his club games that he displayed last season, and in the Avriter’s opinion Johnson of Hui Mai is playing better football in this position. The three-quarter line should prove a very formidable one both in attack and defence. J. MacDonald Avill-be tried out as Aving-threequarters. Playing as a centre he has hardly been impressive in the competition games, but undoubtedly lias excellent attacking qualities which should be fully expanded Avit-h a player like Hunt inside of him. Warren lias been relegated to the emergency list; on form he should be in the team. Moses has yet to produce the football that sent him to England last season. With Chisholm behind the scium, and Parata in the five-eighth line, Avhy not retain the Chisholm, Parata, Warren combination Avhich should be Avorking in perfect unison by noAV. Chisholm has merited his selection as half back, and is quite in a.class of his own in this position in HoroAvlienua. Qll paper, the fonvards appear to be on the light side, but after perusing the respective Aveights the handy average of 13 stone 6 lbs is in evidence. This is a tidy average for any - pack, and they also possess speed in plenty. Il’oAvever, if there is any noticeable weakness it Avill be in the scrum. A more compact formation in this respect, in the writer’s opinion Avould be as folloAvs: — MACKERSEY MAIHI I2st 31bs. 12st Gibs. TANA lost 71bs. TATANA L. DALZELL 15st. olbs. 13st. K. DALZELL BOND 13st 131bs. 14st 71bs.

It Avill be noticed that Tana has replaced Bond, Avho has been placed in the back row. The reason for this, is that the Avriter considers Tana a much better lock than Bond, and a more evenly balanced scrummage Avould be formed. In addition to this, Tana is playing good football, and is one of the feAv present day forwards avlio have retained the art of dribbling. It Avill be observed that Gleeson has been dropped. While not forgetting the splendid displays this player gave us last season, it must be admitted that so far this year, he is noAvhere near the same player, and as the team should not be picked on last year’s form lie must consider himself lucky to get a place in the present team.

It seems a remarkable thing that Hui Mai, avlio are sharing pride of place Avith County at the top of the ladder, can only get one player in the Rep. team.. Nevertheless, the chosen fifteen, if physical fitness and keenness counts for anything, should go Avell on Saturday, and Maiunvatu will have to be a little out of tlie ordinary if they expect’ to Avill.

Once again Jacob wil 1 lead the tied and Blue champions into action, and JioroAvhemia Avill realise lioav fortunate they have been to possess such a fine leader and tactician Avhen the time comes for this Avorthy player to discard his football togs for the last time. The fonvards Avill average 13st Gibs and the backs 12$£ lib, Avhile the Avliole team Avill average 12 stone 81bs.

SATURDAY’S REFEREE.

AN APPOINTMENT CANCELLED

At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Council a letter was received from the Horowhenua Rugby Council advising that the appointment of Mr 11. Kidson, whom the Manawatu body had selected as referee for the game, Manawatu v. Horowhenua at Shannon next Saturday had been cancelled and the following names were submitted for selection: Messrs E. Sevan, J. Seiascia, A. George and K. Davis.—lt was decided that the secretary make further enquiries as to why the original selection did not prevail and in the event of a satisfactory reply, the appointment of a referee be loft to the secretary and president. The choice of referee for Saturday’s match was also referred to at Tuesday night’s meeting' of the Horowhenua Rugby Council, it being raised by Mr

W. Joyce who asked why the appointment had been cancelled in view of Mr Kidson’s expressed willingness to act. The secretary (Mr J. Casey) read the correspondence on the subject. This showed that, following on the Rugby Council taking over the appointment of referee, a letter had ben written to Mr Kidson enquiring whether he was willing to act under the Council, and giving a specified date for a reply. As no reply had ben received by that date, all his pending appointments were cancelled, including the Manawatu-lloro-whenua rep. match. Replying to Mr Joyce as to whether other referees had been similarly treated, the secretary said lie took steps to ascertain whether they were willing to act.

Mr Joyce said Mr Kidson admitted being lax in not replying to the secretary’s letter, but lie had always been willing to act. He had taken a great interest in football and during the recent trouble with the Referees’ Association had done all he could to keep the referees under the Council Under the circumstances lie thought it a pity they were losing Mr Kidson’s services. Mr Robinson (Awaliou) said the Union must be run on business lines an(l he could not see that the referee had any cause of complaint. The Chairman (Mr J. J. O’Connor): It will be run on business lines as long as I have anything to do with it. Members of the Council agreed that the referee’s action in ignoring the Council va3 responsible for the position that had arisen, and they supported the course taken by the executive officers.