LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 181, 2 August 1928, Page 5

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FIRST TEST MATCH.

THE NATIONAL SIDE.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM

The selectors for the New Zealand Rugby League (Messrs. E. Fox, W. J. Mitchell and W. Murray) have chosen the following team to play against England at Carlaw Park on Saturday:— Full-back: C. Dufty (Newton).

Three-quarters: R. Hardgrave (Newton), C. List (Kingsland), and L. Scott (Devonport).

Five-eighths: M. Wetherill (City), S. Prentice (Richmond). Half: F. Delgrosso (Ponsonby). Forwards: L. Hutt (Ponsonby), W. Somers (Newton), J. O'Brien (Marist). M. O'Brien (West Coast), T. Timms (Huntly), V. Goodall (Buller). Reserves: Backs, A. Eekhoff (Otago), T. Peckham (Ponsonby), E. Spilfane (Canterbury); forwards, T. Hall (Newton), A. Townsend (Otago), J. Calder (Buller).

A very strong team has been chosen to represent New Zealand in the first trial of strength with the Englishmen. There is no real element of surprise in connection with the selection, although it has been obvious all aiong that a number of talented players would be left out.

Dufty, who has been chosen as fullback, has been playing in great form throughout the season, and is the ideal player for the position. There was a strong claimant in Gordon Blazey, of Otago, who played brilliantly in the trial game yesterday. However, the Aucklander is a matured player, a wonderful exponent of the finer points of the League code, with a much wider experience than that of the young Otago player. Brisbane was injured last Saturday, and that has made the way clear for List, in the centre, where he is in his right place after attempts by selectors to convert him into a wing. He p'.aved well in the trial game yesterday, running straight with fine resolution, and undoubtedly is the best man in sight for the position. Hardgrave's selection was a foregone conclusion, and in-choosing L. Scott, the next best wing in New Zealand has been found, although Wilson, the Mangere player, must have been close in the running.

Wetherill. Prentice and Delgrosso metaphorically picked themselves. They are the most effective trio for the inside positions, and although EckhofT starred yesterday, the selectors were certainly wise not to break at the eleventh hour a combination that only systematic team-buildin? could have brought about.

The selection of the best six forwards in New Zealand at the moment would be a difficult problem for anyone. The choice of O'Brien (Auckland) and Hutt for the front row will result in plenty of weight for the set scrums, where it will be needed, while Somers is a good hooker. Whether he is better than Townsend, of Otago, or Stevenson, of Huntly, is purely a matter of personal opinion. The other forwards. O'B/ien fW-ct Const). Ti-nins (South Auckland! and Goodall (West Coast), have won their places strictly on form. A good many followers of the game anticipated that Hall, the Newton forward, would have crot a place, while there is no denying the fact that yesterday his clubmate, Clarke, was the outstanding forward in the trial game.

Now that the team is selected, the Auckland public will look forward with confidence to the Dominion representatives makinsi a pvcat ficht their redoubtable opponents. Should the team combine well in attack, and make no mistake about going for the man with the ball when defending the first Test, the fight for the "ashes"' should be a memorable game.

THE ENGLISH TEAM.

FINAL CHOICE ON SATURDAY,

"The English team will be finally chosen just before the match on Saturday,"' said Mr. E. Osborne, manager of the English Rugby League team this afternoon. The players are:-—

Full-back: Sullivan. Three-quarters: Ellaby, Brough. Oliver Askin. Frodsham (one to be omitted). Halves: B. Evans. Rees, and Fairclough (one to be omitted).

Forwards: Burgess. Bentham. Bowen. Thompson. Fildes, Sloman, Hortcn (one to be omitted).