Big Forwards

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 71, 15 June 1927, Page 7

Big Forwards

Auckland Rugby’s Need Current Comment and News WITH the match against Thames Valley next Saturday the Auckland representative Rugby season will open. There is an extensive home programme, including matches against some first-class teams, but only one big match, the Taranaki game, away. The provincial selection for Saturday's game discloses few surprises, but the lack of big forwards is still apparent.

THE Hawke’s Bay Union has aroused A a stir by its decision to contest the Ranfurly Shield—if the New Zealand Rugby Union allows it to do so—on July 9. Opinions as to the ethics of the proposition seem to differ. The Bay has in the recent past enjoyed such phenomenal success with the shield that many feel it should now be content to leave Wairarapa alone until next season. On the other hand, there is the principle that the shield should be held on merit alone. If Wairarapa is not good enough to hold the trophy, then the first successful challenger has every right to the honour. A Sneaking Feeling All the unions—including Auckland —which had a challenge in to Hawke’s Bay, will doubtless be entertaining a sneaking wish that the Bay may be successful in its challenge. Canterbury, as well as Auckland, is in the position of having no chance for a shield match this season unless Hawke’s Bay recovers the shield. Unless Hawke’s Bay comes to Auckland for a shield match what was expected to be the star match of the season may fall rather flat, as some of the crack Bay players are unlikely to come unless the shield is at stake. Meanwhile it is still very uncertain whether the Bay’s return match with Wairarapa will take place, as there is every chance that the New Zealand Union will veto the challenge. Butler’s Improvement If Satuv ly’s form was a criterion, the most unproved player in Auckland is Butler, the Varsity fullback. Playing soundly under trying conditions, Butler made no mistakes, and handled, kicked and tackled beautifully. There is evidence that his recent experience in Sydney has given him added polish, and made him a top-notch performer. Since Saturday the burning question has been: Did he, or did he not, force the ball before McCarthy scored his try? Many who were close har.uy. including at least one rabid Grammar supporter, aver that Butler got there first. * * * Recruit Fpr Rifles A recruit for College Rifles is G. M. Blyth, last year a very successful school footballer. Playing on the wing for Rifles, Blythe has created an excellent impression. He has pace, added to unusual neatness and accuracy. Among the inside backs for Wanganui Technical College, one of the leading football schools of the South, Blythe was always a star performed. Associated with a young Fijian named Dovi he was responsible for some sensational scoring efforts. * m m Fijian Team’s Visit Reference to a Fijian footballer induces contemplation of the proposed visit of a team from Fiji. When the Auckland Varsity team visited the Islands they found the opposition played Rugby of quite good standard, some of the backs being exceptionally tricky. Native teams encountered could also play good football. Fijian Rugby men are accustomed to hard grounds, and on account of their heat their matches rarely start before 4.30 p.m. Since they have expressed their readiness to come to New Zealand, the Auckland University Club is now endeavouring to organise a programme. The Short Kick Popular in Auckland Rugby—to a greater extent than it merits —is the short penalty kick, an expedient that often loses more ground than it gains. An instance occurred when Varsity met North Shore. A North Shore man endeavoured to short-punt from a mark, and Miller, who was standing

on the mark, promptly marked in return, to the joy of the spectators. Miller, by the way, suffered severe sartorial damage last Saturday, ami at one stage the graceful droop of his torn jersey exposed shoulders worthy of the mid-Victorian belle. Grammar’s Success Though rather lucky to defeat University last Saturday, Grammar continues to hold its end up, and with College Rifles is chasing the leaders closely. Ces Badeley’s performances have been surprisingly good, and his defence on Saturday probably won the game for his side. Where the Varsity insides let the charging Grammar forwards through, the Grammar insides went down nobly to every Varsity rush. Badeley kicked two goals—one credited, in ill-informed or unobservant circles, to Turei —and made one sensational run, brought to an . end by Brooke t*. Half to Hooker McCarthy, of Grammar Old Boys, has gone from hooker to halfback, and now back again to hooker, since last season, when he was nearly always in the front row. Though a fair enough halfback, he was a little slow for the job, and is much better in the scrum. As a forward his safe handling permits him to shine in the loose. Goodacre ranks with the best of tbe Grammar forwards, and Catlicart, who at times wings a little, was fortunate to be preferred to Goodacre in the representative selection. * * * Milliken as Selector Auckland candidates for All Black honours should have a friend at court in T. Milliken, newly-appointed New Zealand selector, who is probably the youngest man ever to have held so responsible a job. At Christchurch High School Milliken was a contemporary of J. H. Parker, and other Rugby notabilities. Coming to Auckland he was for a time in the law profession here, and on the Rugby field wore the Varsity colours. Up till a few months ago he was still playing in the South. Now, with the selection committee of which Mr. E. McKenzie is the head, he will have a chance to show his practical knowledge of the game.^ Ridiculous Restrictions The Auckland Rugby Union is a. well-meaning body, but Us latest fad —the prevention of players from leaving the field at Eden Park at halftime—is inconsistent with its good intentions. Footballers are sjbject to the same physical discomforts as may affect other individuals, and it is a wellknown fact that they do not retire to dressing-rooms only to chew oranges. Oh Saturday a Grammar player who wished to leave the field at the spell was told by Referee; Kronfeld that “if he did so he would not come back.’’ Doubtless Mr. Kronfeld did not mean his edict to be so sweeping as it sounds, but if he was really serious —then it is time the Rugby Union took charge of a kindergarten. Odds and Ends No. 2 ground at Eden Park is now railed off —a vast improvement—preventing a recurrence of the undesirable scenes witnessed when Ponsonby drew with Training College. The University - Training College match, outstanding from the first round, may be decided next Saturday. Swanson saw the tightest go of the season last Saturday, when City drew with Waitemata. Merit recognised—Ruru, Berridge, Wanoa, Finlayson. Unlucky, according to recent performances —Cammick aod Soloman.