RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1941, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIRARAPA UNION FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. APPOINTMENT OF REFEREES. The following are the Wairarapa Rugby fixtures and referees for Saturday: — Senior. Featherston v. Gladstone, at Gladstone, at 2.30 p.m., E. Grantham. Greytown v. Carterton, at Carterton, at 2.30 p.m., B. Grantham .Red Star v. Masterton, at Masterton, at 2.30 p.m., H. Reid. Third Grade A. Old Boys v. College at College, at 2.30 p.m., B. Percy. Rod Star v. Masterton, Memorial Park No. 1, at 1.30 p.m., B. Hurley. Carterton a bye. Third Grade B. Martinborough v. Featherston, .at Featherston, at 2.30 p.m., Mr Goodwin. Carterton v. Dalefield, at Carterton No. 2, at 2.30 p.m., Mr Spooner. Fourths. Masterton v. Carterton, at Carterton No. 1, at 1.30 p.m., H. J. McKenzie. College v. Martinborough, at College, at 1.30 p.m.

THE LATE JACK STEEL. Killed in a motor accident on Sunday last, Jack Steel is the second member of the 1924 “Invincibles ’ to cross the Great Divide, Alf West being the other member of that famous band who died some years ago. The late Jack Steel first came into the Rugby spotlight when he played wing three-quarter for the South Island against the North in 1919. The North won the game by 28 points to 11. He represented the South Island continuously in the years 1919-20-21-22-23-24 and 25. It was in 1921 that Jack Steel first wore the All Black jersey, when New Zealand met the 1921 Springboks on the Carisbrook ground in Dunedin, and he scored a sensational try, running more than half the length of the ground, on the grandstand side, to touch down between the posts. It was a great effort and those who witnessed it will never forget the scene of enthusiasm when Steel finished his great run. A member of the 1924 New Zealand team, at the age of 24 years, Steel had speed above the ordinary.. His weight was about 13st, and he was one of the most aggressive backs the game has known in New Zealand. As a New Zealand representative he scored 10G points (32 tries, 3 conversions and 1 potted goal. It was as a representative of the West Coast that he played most of his football. Steel was once a prominent member of the Greymouth Fire Brigade, attending the N.Z. Fire Brigades’ Demonstration at the Dunedin Exhibition as a member of the Greymouth team. Wearing the All Black jersey for the first time in 1920 and continuously in 1921-1922-1923-1924, his Rugby record is a good one. In 1923 he captained the South Island team in a drawn game, six points all. Jack Steel was a popular figure in the Rugby world, and in the years to come when the games of the past are discussed the name of Jack Steel will come up as his brilliant efforts are recalled in some game. His untimely death will be deplored by the host of admirers he won in the Rugby arena, who will say now the whistle has blown for time “peace to your ashes. Jack.”