Rugby Football

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 102, 1 May 1937, Page 23

Rugby Football

ATTRACTION FOR CORONATION DAY

CANTERBURY TO MEET WELLINGTON

Again there is something more to stimulate Rugby football interest in the. senson's early stages. The first representative match is to be played much, earlier than is usual. On Coronation Day (May 12) Wellington is to meet Canterbury at Athletic £ark, and this is an event which should set the representative programme —a big one—going in the right way. For the holiday it should be a -wonderfully-fine attraction, and it will serve as an added means of getting- the Wellington side into the right shape for the Snriacboks later in the season.

Already some players: have: found their form, and.they are fortunate now that a representative match is taking place so early in the season. ~But others are coming along the right way, taking matters quietly rather than run on into staleness when; their best will be needed. All, no doubt, will ,be taken into consideration by the,selector (Mr. M. F. Nicholls), who now has two.' assistants ~ (Messrs. •A. ■ McDonald and F. D. Kilby), in making his firstchoice of players for the season. There have been but few opportunities so far of judging the form of players, and it is expected that to some extent the known ability will. be a factor inweighing up claims. However, the match with Canterbury is but the first of the season. There are many more to follow, and it does not mean that those who are selected to play against Canterbury are going to be set as representatives for the rest of the season. Changes are bound to be made from time to time; it is very likely* in fact, that the selector will, have cause to amend His selection when.it comes to naming his team for the match with T,aranaki, at Hawera, later in ' the. month. . ...•'.. '-I. ■-

':. It should not be difficult for Wellington to place an attractive-looking side in the field to meet Canterbury on Wednesday week. Taking some of the better-known players who have played in A grade representative matches in recent seasons there are "enough to make a team of no mean order.;

sity, where he hacV the privilege of a football education under the famous coach, Mr. Paul Roos, who was captain of the first Springboks in their tour of Great Britain in . 1906-07. Bergh readily acknowledges that he owes everything to "oom Paul," as intimates call Mr. Koos, who holds a tutorial post at the university. !.. ''~;.■

In: 1928, at the age of 18, Bergh represented the Combined Universities of South Africa against the All Blacks. He toured Britain in 1931-32 with the third Springboks, and played in the five Tests against the "Wallabies in' South Africa in ;1933. He has also played in different provincial , teams in South Africa, having represented South Western Districts (Oudsthorn), Griqualand (Kimberley), and Transvaal (Johannesburg).

.Bergh always plays as solo man in. the back row of the 3-4-1 scrum, and ■,'there ; is b. : distinct- heave forward when he applies his tremendous pushing, powers: in the scrummages.' In addition .to football prowess; Bergh is a fine swimmer. . .r , '• ' ■•■:,■..,

~ In fair' weather and foul Mr. John ,o'Shea, Wellingtons City Solicitor, has been one of University's staunchest supporters, and will be missed this season "while he'is in England. The family name, however, will still be associated with the team, for a brother, Mr. A. P. O'Shea, is the club captain.