THE SECOND TEST,

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 215, 11 September 1925, Page 8

THE SECOND TEST,

QUEENSLAND V- NEW ZEALAND CARLAW PARK TO-MORROW. GREAT STRUGGLE EXPECTED. On Saturday last the first Test between the Queensland and New Zealand League teams attracted an attendance estimated at IS,OOO, and despite unfavourable weather conditions the contest will always be remembered as one of the most thrilling in the history of League football. Particularly in the second half was the crowd kept at fever pitch and in a game played at dazzling pace New Zealand snatched victory by the narrow margin of one point—2s to 24 —when. Delgrosso placed the winning goal just fifty seconds after time was up, and while the ball was still in play. To-morrow the Queenslanders will have an opportunity of wiping out that defeat when they meet the New Zealanders in the second Test. Both teams can be relied upon to field their strongest side and make every effort to secure victory, so that all is 'in order for another groat struggle. Both sides show several changes from the teams which met in the memorable contest a week ago. In the New Zealand side Webb has been included and will play at ceiitre-threequarter, a position occupied last week by Kirwan; who now goes to second five-eighths. Saunders, who partnered Wetherill last week, will be on the one wing to-morrow and Littlewood on the other. This means that the threequarter line is completely changed because last week it comprised larkes, Kirwan and Davidson. Delgrosso, who is of the versatile sort able to play'good football in any position, will be behind the pack. Two changes are noted in the forwards, Carrol, who has arrived from Wellington, takes the place of St. George as hooker, and OBnen (Devonport) replaces Peterson xn the second row. The team reads a useful side, and if there is a weakness it may be in the threequarter line Against this the combination of Delgrosso (half) and Wetherill and Kirwan (hve-eighths) could not be bettered is M, ot F r w Vh vr antiei ? ates a S reat g*™ ii It ,?' Mair ' who is in charfe of the New. Zealand team. "I know that the Queenslanders will pl ay to-morrow as uiougli their very existence will depend upon winning, but with Carroll raking for us I expect our side to get a better share of the ball from the scrums. Jt we do then our backs should be able to show they are just as speedy and tricky as the Reds. The Blacks are set upon winning again and though they are quite prepared to be beaten, they are all confident of winning again. It is goin" to be a close game, but I think we will just get there." The teams are:— NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: Gregory. Three-quarters: Littlewood, Webb Saunders. Five-eighths: Wetherill, Kirwan. Half: Delgrosso. Forwards: Herring, Carroll, O'Brien (M.0.8.), Singe, O'Brien (Dev.), Avery. QUEENSLAND. Full-back: Craig. Three-quarter: Aynsley, Gormon, Crouch, Spencer. Five-eighths: Moores. Half: Edwards. Forwards: Potter, Henderson, Bennett, Purcell. Parcells, Steinohrt, Armbruster, Leibke. Two forwards to be ommitted. Referee: Mr. Ripley. The following curtain-raisers will be played: Parnell Fifths v. Northcote Fifths, 12.45 p.m., Mr. Emirali; Richmond Sixth B v. City Sixth B, 1.45 p.m., Mr. Simpson. The Parnell team is: Riley, Clapham, Webster, O'Connell, Hunt, •Slbman, Pearson, Simpson (2), Meehan, Stewart, Callander, Clough, Davies, Clark. Northcote Ramblers: Mills, Webb, H. Robertson. Kelly, J. Robertson, Wilkins, Neal, McXamara, Norton, Thomas, Mormon, Atkins, Wallis, Olsen, Turrell. Harbour Trip. Tho Queenslanders were entertained yesterday afternoon by the chairman of the Harbour Board. Mr. H. Mackenzie, and taken for a launch trip round the harbour. Prior to embarking Mr. Mackenzie received the visitors in the board's room, and in extending a hearty welcome to the team said that he had witnessed the two games played on Saturday and Wednesday, and had never enjoyed football more. Tt was n pleasure to meet such good sports and he hoped they would, on their return home, havo many pleasant memories of their visit to the Dominion. Messrs. H. Sunderland and J. Doyle, the joint managers, thanked Mr. Mackenzie for the welcome and presented him with a Queensland League badge. The visitors were then taken on board a launch and given a most ienjoyable trip round the harbour. Speaking to a "Star" representative this morning anent the possibilities of to-morrow's Test. Mr. H. Sunderland, secretary of the Queensland League and one of the managers of the touring combination, said that he expected the match to be a very fine contest with the result very hard to anticipate. "In the first two matches- in Brisbane this season New Zealand did well in the second half, scoring more points than Queensland, while the margin in each case was 24 and nine points," said Mr. Sunderland, "the Blacks always playing stubbornly in the second half after they •had picked up the Queenslanders' tactics in the fast first half of the first game. At that time we had Duncan, Thompson and E. S. Brown playing. Their absence from the present side, plus the climatic changes, the slower and more holding turf underfoot, and the, fact that the New Zealanders had improved a lot since they had been to Australia, had practically wiped out their deficit in Australia. On Carlaw Park the teams were about evenly matched. With fine weather conditions for Saturday, Queensland might just about win and thus retain the honours of the year with five wins in six matches against New South Wales, and three in four against New Zealand. But if we arc beaten on Saturday honours between -New Zealand and Queensland will be even in games won and los^. Mt. Sunderland concluded by stating that the Queenslanders expected to return to Auckland on October 7, and would probably leave by the Ulimaroa on October 0 or the Aorangi on October 12. If the return is made by the Aorangi it may be possible for the Maroons to play a final match of the tour at Napier or Taumarunui. "But it would really be a delightful thin»" added Mr. Sunderland, "if the Riigby League and Rugby Union forces in "he Dominion were united as they arc in Queensland, and then wo could have a final match in cither Auckland or Wellington between the representatives of the League and the famous All Blacks of IV2A. n