ARE OUR FOOTBALLERS AS HUSKY AS OF YORE?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 357, 18 May 1928, Page 7

ARE OUR FOOTBALLERS AS HUSKY AS OF YORE?

OLD TIMERS SAY “NO!” Were Rugby footballers of 30 years ago more husky and tough than present-day players? After noting the number of firstgrade players at present on the injured list, old-timers say “Yes,” and a visit to any club’s training quarters inclines one to believe that the oldtimers are right. Thirty years ago players took the 6eld adorned in caps shaped like an ice cream cone, made of the same material as the jersey. When they wore stockings they were generally striped similarly to the jerseys, and pants extended to below the knees. Shin guards were only worn by cricketers in those days, and a player with the emerity to take the field behind a pair would almost certainly have been given a great “roaring up.” SELDOM “LAID OUT” ThObe were strenuous times, and players at times were roughly handled. All fixtures were decided on unenclosed grounds, and the barrackers were even more strenuous than the players. Barked shins, elbows, knees, and noses were inseparable from a Saturday afternoon’s sport, but for all that one seldom noticed a player “laid out.” It was considered a sign of weakness to go down to it with any injury short of a broken limb or cranium. But those days have gone never to return. Take a peep into a Rugby club’s dressing room to-day and take stock of the players and the armour thev don. J Shingruards, knee, elbow and ankle bands, head guards and the rest. Most players are beautifully upholstered on shoulders and hips with felt half an inch thick, and they certainly take every precaution against injury. Verily, football 30 years ago was no Same for ladies, but although presentday players take better care of themselves and guard against injury as much as possible, Rugby is still a heman’s game, and the players cannot be weaklings.