A Diary of Sport RUPERT PYLE’S RECORD

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 10

A Diary of Sport RUPERT PYLE’S RECORD

Southland Rugby Three-quarters

FOUR PROVINCES AND BOTH ISLANDS

By ONLOOKER The recording in this column a few weeks ago of the unique record of C. K. Saxton, former Southland captain, who has played for eight representative combinations in New Zealand (including the four South Island major unions) has caused writers almost all over New Zealand to delve into Rugby history for similar records. Saxton’s record of having worn no fewer than 13 different jerseys since he left the primary school stands alone, but many cases of players having represented four unions and either or both of the South and North Islands have been uncovered.

The latest to be brought to the notice of Onlooker is the record of Rupert Pyle, former Southland representative three-quarters, who, it was recalled in The Southland Times a few weeks ago, played in the back line for Otago against Southland in the first game played at Invercargill between the provinces after the outbreak of the last war.

Mr James Forde, of Bluff, himself a Southland representative player of the last war period, has shown interest in the claims which have been made on behalf of much-travelled Rugby players and he has supplied the following particulars about Pyle. RED AND BLACK COLOURS Pyle came to Invercargill about the year 1907. He was educated at the Waitaki High School, and by virtue of possessing a red and black jersey (Waitaki’s colours) he decided to play for the club which had similar colours. That club was Waikiwi and what an acquisition he was to the suburban club was shown in the following two years when he was chosen to play for Southland. About 1910 Pyle was transferred to Wellington (he was on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales), and he played for both Wellington and the North Island. Another shift took him to Christchurch and once again he graduated into the representative team; he also gained his South Island cap as a Canterbury player. His last transfer was to Dunedin and in 1914 he came to Invercargill with the Otago team and played against Southland. Pyle was one of the wing-three-quarters in the line which consisted of J. E. Cuthill (now of Invercargill), Roy Harris and Pyle. He thus played for four unions and both islands, a record equalled by only about six players in New Zealand. MET ON GALLIPOLI The story does not end there. Both Pyle and Jimmy Forde answered the call to arms in 1914 and they met on Gallipoli before a “stunt,” as an offensive was termed in the last war. Pyle shook hands with Forde and asked him to remember him to his friends at Waikiwi. Forde replied: “You can do that yourself when you get back.” Pyle’s reply was that one could never tell—some of them would “get it” that night. Next morning Forde saw his dead

body and later he visited the grave under a tree where Pyle was buried. KILLEEN ANOTHER Brian Killeen, who represented New Zealand against the Australian team at Wellington in 1936, is another of the most travelled interprovincial players in the game. Killeen was one of the outstanding backs on the field when Taranaki beat Otago by 8 points to 4 at Hawera last year; and in that game he recaptured something of the form he showed earlier in his career in the great days of his association with H. T. Lilburne m Wellington. Before this year, Killeen represented Wellington, Auckland, and Taranaki, and early this season he was transferred to Motueka and intimated that he had finished with serious Rugby. He was not allowed to adhere to his intention, however, and the other day at Westport he led • the Golden HayMo tueka side which lifted the Seddon Shield from Buller, the final margin being 22-3. Killeen is reported to have given a sparkling display, and he was the shining light of the back line which gave the Buller defence many anxious moments. R. G. MAHONY IN FORM R. G. Mahony, Southland captain this season, played a leading part in the decisive win of Pirates (Dunedin) against Union (last year’s champion team) at Carisbrook last Saturday. In addition to scoring a good try Mahony used a centring kick to much advantage. Mahony cultivated this ■ type of play in Invercargill and in several club and representative fixtures it bore fruit. In one particular instance it was very successful. That was at Auckland last year when Southland was threatened with defeat in a game which bristled with rough tactics and “incidents.” Mahony centred cleverly after drawing the defence and M. P. Grace was able to score the try which won the game for Southland. Referring to the Dunedin game last Saturday The Evening Star, Dunedin, states: The second round of the senior Rugby competition, which has been full of upsets and surprises, was completed, and by virtue of their respective wins Southern and Pirates will now contest a play-off for the premiership on September 14. Southern last won the championship in 1938, but Pirates has not been successful since 1925. TRENTHAM TEAM’S SUCCESS The Trentham Army team has had considerable success in matches played against representative sides in the North Island. Of five matches it has won three, drawing in one and being defeated once. Playing against Wanganui, at Wanganui, Trentham was successful by 15 points to 9. The team beat Manawatu, 18-14, and Wairarapa, 8-5. It drew with Hawke’s Bay, 16-all, and was beaten by Wellington, 19-17.