SECOND GAME

Southland Times, Issue 21091, 24 May 1930, Page 8

SECOND GAME

BRITISH FOOTBALLERS MATCH WITH TARANAKI GROUND IN HEAVY ORDER (Special to the Times.) New Plymouth, May 23. Practice during the morning, a motor drive and golf in the afternoon occupied the British team’s time to day. Golf was somewhat discouraged by a bleak rain bearing wind which will have to ease up if to-morrow’s match is not to be fought in a quagmire. Ixical residents claim that ■ Pukekura Park is an excellent wet day ground, but even before this afternoon’s rain, it looked as though it could not stand much more. Bonner, who was injured on Wednesday, participated in this morning’s practice with a. strip of plaster over one eye. His part consisted largely in exchanging line kicks with Jennings, the .deputy full back who was only played in that position once or twice before. Rew, Sobey and Bassett also stood out from this morning’s practice, but the others indulged in - protracted training, including an impromptu game, to-morrows side v. the rest. The handling of both backs and forwards is now showing great improvement compared with a week ago. Spong this morning seemed able to hold anything, no matter what angle it came from. The real test will come if the ground is wet to-morrow. The British will then be called on to plav a heavy forward team under the most exacting conditions. Messrs Prentice and Baxter will confer tomorrow morning with Messis King and Rowe, the referees for the next two matches. The Taranaki team is as follows: Full back: 0. Hunt. Three-quarters: IL Fookes, 11. W. Brown, N. Hunter. Five-eighths: D. Johnston, E. Owen. Half back: C. Brown. Forwards: A. Guy, C. Wills, R. Clarke, P. Ward, I. and A. Kivell, W. Robinson, J. Young. . The forward pack averages 13st olb. THOSE JERSEYS! WHY CHANGE AT ALL? ■ A prominent Southland Rugby follower, , referring to the latest action of the New • Zealand Rugby Union in deciding.to adhere to the original decision that the New Zealand team wear white jerseys and black knickers in the test games with the British side, said: “I cannot understand it at all. Who suggested changing the jerseys in the first place? Was there any need for it.? Seeing that the visitors are wearing white knickers and the New Zealand team black, that should be sufficient distinction. Then the two colours of the jerseys are different. Dark blue is much lighter than jet black, and there is further distinction < in the colours of the emblems worn on the 'jerseys. 1 think the’referees should have something to say in the matter. It is a reflection upon their capabilities. They are the men to decide whether there would or would not be any confusion.” An ex-Dunedin referee was approached on the subject, and in voicing his protest at the changing of the jerseys, stated that there was no need for either side to discard its adopted colours. There were two Dunedin clubs who for half a century past had worn dark blue and black uniforms respectively and there was never a suggestion whenever they met that the jerseys should be changed. The referees had no trouble in distinguishing the teams. He could not ’ say’ whether the New Zealand Referees’ Association had been consulted in the present controversy or not. Another matter touched on by the ex-referee was the consideration, or lack of it, given to the referee and his uniform in the test games. The referees had always worn a white livery, and now that the British team would be wearing dark blue and the “All Blacks” a white jersey', the referee would now require to find a coloured or striped jersey. “Yet he has not been asked to enter into the argument at all” he added..