RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. INTER-ISLAND IMPRESSIONS. LOCAL CLUB JOTTINGS. The old rivals, Ponsonby and Marist, meet at Eden Park on Saturday. The 1926 All Black forwards are the heaviest that have ever represented New Zealand. The Henry Trophy is to be awarded to the most improved Auckland referee outside the first grade. The first inter-island match was played in 1897. To date, the North Island has won thirteen games, and the South seven. "The Southlander, Alley, was the best forward on the ground," says a Southern critic. One out of the bag, eh? The heaviest scrum available in the 1926 All Blacks works out at an average of lost 21b per man. A heavy cold, coming on top of a recent injury, kept B. Badeley out of the firing line on Saturday last. N. P. McGregor, of Canterbury, who was a member of the 1924 All Blacks, was not available for the trip across to Sydney. Five of the 1026 All Blacks are 15st or over, viz., Stewart, Alley, Harvey, Finlayson and C. Brownlie. McGinley, 'who secured representative honours last season, had his first club game this season for Marist on Saturday. Played well, too. Kaikorai are still one point ahead of University A in Dunedin. The students, however, have played one match less than the hillside team. Marist have sustained a big loss through Rauch, one of the best locks in Auckland, having to give the game best for this season at any rate. Old Boys have a 2J-point lead in the Christchureh competition. Merivale, who are next on the list, received an unexpected set-back last week-end, when, with McGregor and Robilliard away in Wellington, they were beaten 12 —3 by University, who are well down on the competition ladder. Cashmore may not be available for 'Varsity on Saturday. Brooker, -whose shoulder is still giving a lot of trouble, ■will not be able to play for about a fortnight. Reports from Sydney indicate that the New South Welshmen are out to give the All Blacks a surprise. The light blues certainly had a great set of backs last year, but when the N.S.W. forwards run up against the big maneaters from Maoriland the "surprise" part of it may be on the other foot. Grafton have had a lot of bad luck this year. Now Menzies is out for the rest of the season, and Noakes, a fine forward, will not be available for a month at least, owing to business taking him out of town.

A player, who was sent off the field in one of Saturday's games for late tackling, after being warned, came before the Referees' Association on Monday niglit, and was cautioned against a repetition of the offence. "New Zealand is weak in centres at the present time, and this may compel Sheen to come into the five-eighth line in Australia," says the "Xew Zealand Times." • In connection with this, it may be mentioned that there is a widely held belief, mostly outside Auckland, that LucaS 7, position is wing three-quarter, and for some reason or other he has been generally allotted this position in big football, a place which he seldom occupies in club football. "Porter will strike trouble on the other side with a strict referee," cays the "Xew Zealand Times," commenting on the All Black selection. "He is round on the half ahead of the ball now and again." Kirk, of College Rifles, who has been on the bank with a ruptured leg artery, will be available again on Saturday. As a result of a similar injury, Souter will be out of the game for about three weeks. ''Probably Knight's selection is justified as a reserve hooker to Irvine and remarks the Christchurcn. "Sun." On the contrary, there is not the slightest justification for such an extraordinary view of his selection. Stuart (Marist), who injured his back in the first round against Ponsonby, will be available again about the end of the month. At this week's meeting of the Auckland Referees' Association, the amount of talking and appealing that went on in matches was the subject of discussion, and it was decided to take strict measures to deal with these offences. In future, the incessant talkers will be sent ; off the. field. D. Eeid (Shore) is another man who has had a lot of bad luck this season. He was showing great form at the start of the season, and it is understood that the selectors were keeping an eye on him as a likely man for representative -honours, but some weeks ago he injured his ankle, and it has never been really right since. In the circumstances he is probably wise to give the game up for this season.