RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 136, 10 June 1924, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Tie consensus of opinion about the All Blacks seems to be that as a body the forwards are better than the 1903 pack, without baring any Individual who can equal Seeling, and that the backs, while without any individual to compare with Smith, Hunter, Deans and Wallace, are good enough material to be the makings of a great side when they get together behind

the forwards that are with them. The one weakness pointed out is that the team has no field general such as Stead was. In Wellington the critics are not enai moured of either Mark Nieholls or Paewai as first tive-eiguths, and they hold that Williams, Knight, Turpin, or Trinßle. all had claims for inclusion before West. They also hold that Wright should have been the second half. McGregor, who is held by Auckland critics to be nelow international standard, is commended in Wellington for his defence. Brown is selected as the best stamp of three-quarter, and Hart as the best wing three-quarter, despite his lack of weight. Features of the All Mack trials have been the elimination of the Maori forwards and liaeks who figured so much last year, the persistent failure of Perry and Bell to rise to the occasion under competition, and the last-minute appearance of the Canterbury backs Dalley, McCiresor and Uobllllard. 'Among the champions of a year or two affo who weut down in the trials, the moat notable are Ilellis and McLean. Those who have shone as etars in the trials have been Xepia. Cooke, Mill. Brown and Hart among the backs, and the two Rrownlies. Richardson, Stewart, White, lrviue nml Toner of the forwards. The Otnso frontrow man .Munro. is acknowledged by the players to be the best hooker of the lot. Seven of these have yet to play their first game for .New Zealand.