ONLY TWO SPEEDS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 352, 5 February 1937, Page 3

ONLY TWO SPEEDS

Rugby Veterans Keep Going. An example of how the love of Rugby survives among some of France’s old players is shown by the veterans’ tea informed A. Jaureguy, the former international, wing-three-quarter. Their activities, while having a dash of humour, are said to be a pleasant relief to the hurly-burly and commercialism of the game in some parts of France. Jaureguy’s veterans, whose ages range from 52 down to 30, and who include at least three former internationals, play against youthful teams who are learning the game. They turn up about twenty strong, so that those who cannot stand the pace may be replaced. Before a game starts they give their young opponents a talk on the principles of Rugby, particularly emphasising the need for sportsmanship. Among the veterans is Georges Carpentier, the boxer, who was a useful player in his youth. They also include a general, a doctor, a foreman engineer, a civil servant, a lawyer, an industrialist, a store manager, a cafe director, a wine mer-, chant, an architect, and a manager I of a cinema. They intend to form a Rugby school for boys, in addition to playing matches. When their opponents display a tendency to trickery or foul play, the veterans threaten to leave the field. They give slow-motion demonstrations of tactics as part of their teaching, and say that they | have now only two speeds—slow and medium.