“HEADS” OF VARSITY TOURING FIFTEEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 429, 10 August 1928, Page 10

“HEADS” OF VARSITY TOURING FIFTEEN

m %£ X « * So the Varsity team will play under the same rules as governed their competition in Auckland. Of course, they will not be expected to play against the native Fijians. These stalwarts play a fine dashing game, score tries, place-kick goals, punt, and drop-kick goals—all without boots. And some of the place-kicking, is equal to that seen on Eden Park. As is to be expected, the natives play only among themselves, but they, too, have looked further afield, and there is an annual competition between the Tongans, Samoans, and Fijians for the Morris Hedstrom Shield—reputed to be a finer shield than the Ranfurly. The first trip to these islands made by the Varsity in 1926 was sponsored by one of their senior fifteen, who was transferred to Suva in the course of his employment with the Cable Board. The success of this visit is indicated by the keen competition for places in the present team. East year an attempt was made to have a Fiji team visit Auckland, but getting leave proved too great an obstacle, and negotiations failed. In the last tour the honours were even—out of three tests each side scored a win and a draw. But since 1926 both sides have improved immeasurably. The Varsity, profiting by their previous experience, are sending a heavier and faster team, while the Fiji fifteen has been in regular training for weeks, and every opportunity is being taken to practice against visiting warships and other combinations.

XVhile present indications show that the students will have a preponderance in weight, this advantage will be to a certain extent discounted should the ground be hard and dry, as it usually is in August. (I might here advise the visiting players to have a spare pair of shorts with pads over the hips, to be worn when the ground is hard and dry). The Fiji representatives, trained to summer conditions, are hard and wiry, and although they have a tendency to “intercept,” rather than start a movement from the base of the scrum, the influx of a few outside players has to a large extent overcome that habit. Only six of the 1926 representatives are available this year, but the new players are undoubtedly an improvement on the first team. D. Ragg, fullback, whose rare judgment and deadly tackling was apparent to the Varsity in the first few minutes of the 1926 games, will be back in his old position. T. Moore will be evident on the wing, and P. O’Carroll (ex-King Country) will justify his selection for wing-forward. .McLeay (ex-Thames) and Thomas (ex-Dunedin) a.re the mainstays of the team, and have learnt what they know about Rugger in New Zealand. The Blues will have no cause for complaint in the matter of playing fields, except perhaps in the hardness of the ground. The Rugby grounds are its level and free from ruts as the proverbial billiard table. In fact, while the town bowling green was being top-dressed, the bowlers practised on the football ground. The local teams Play in cotton jerseys, but the woollen jerseys of the Varsity will be an asset rather than a handicap. The referees and other officials are patterned after, and almost equal to the best. New Zealand standard, and so no adjustments or compromises will have to be made. The first test will be played on August 18, the second on August 25, and the third and final on August 29. On August 22 a match will be played against the Fiji B team. There is another aspect of the tour that might have to be,taken into consideration—the hospitality and good fellowship of the Fiji enthusiasts is inclined to be overwhelming at times, but still. Orange Crush and Moliwai (lemon drink) are both excellent thirst quenchers. Fiji folk have a distinct leaning toward New Zealanders, possibly because the Australians have not yet adopted the “big-brother” attitude toward the islanders. Keen disappointment was felt when the New Zealand bowling team failed to secure the Pacific Pennant, but it is hoped that they will send a strong team and carry off the pennant in 1929.