RUGBY SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 13

RUGBY SEASON.

WITHOUT WING-FORWARDS. A LOOK ROUND THE CLUBS. MANY PLAYERS CHANGE OVER. What enthusiast who remembers New Zealand Rugby a quarter of a century ago, an d who is alive and "kicking" to-day, would in his wildest flight of imagination have reckoned he would live to see the /jay when a conference of Dominion delegates would, by 50 votes to 21, decide to play three men in the front row of the scrummage and abolish the wing-forward? Yet this radical change has actually been brought about without even the hint of a revolution! Combined with these startling "alterations to New Zealand's traditional formation to make it a momentous season in Auckland Rugby history are an \ll Black visit to Australia (June 25-July ,',-j an( i a n Auckland representative tour as far south as Invercargill and Grcymouth (July 30-August 20). Last Year's Leaders. Grammar Schools' Old Boys, 1031 champions will again field a strong side. FSdiiig A. M. Matheson (full-back) and fcf-L Weir (five-eighth), two New Zealand cricketers. Representation on the Man•urcment Committee has been granted to Mount Albert and Takapuna Old Boys, and as a dozen of ■ the strong Auckland Grammar side of last season have left school competition is so remarkably keen that 'the older players will require to *hoW their best form to retain their flees in the senior fifteen. It is said that A. Knight is the only unlikely starter. . 'Varsity fifteen were runncrs-up last reason, and appearances point to the "light Mhos" again finishing in the first couple. ' G Bush, the hefty All Black goalkicker is back from Duncdm. and will be University's v last line of defence, to permit which Captain V C. Butler will move up to five-eighth, lwo other Otago 'Varsity ''blues'' available' are Eric Smith (wing three-quarter) anil Harry Hodge front ranker). The latter went across to Australia with ithc New Zealand students in 1031, together with Bush and Del Carter (Auckland's half). Arthur Keane, a crack rover five winters ago, is mentor to the University side, and will probably decide upon a 3—4 —1 pack. Ponsonby's Hopes. Ponsonbv finished third in the championship, bracketed with Manukau, but having had a year to get over the loss of y W. Lucas, it is doubttul if they will be satisfied with such a low place for them. While there will not be many changes in the rearguard, a partner will have to be found for Jamiason, as Cammick has given up active service to look after and coach one of the lower grade teams. B. Palmer (New Zealand rep. hooker, 1928) has joined Otahuhu, while Satherley is in Hawke's Bay. Some compensation for these losses is the advent of Jack Bonham, who played in front of a 3—2—3 scrum in Vancouver last year (he is an ex-Waikato rep., now gym. instructor at Auckland Y.M.C.A.), and Meikle, Ponsonby's 1929 and 1930 lock, back from Christchurch. Apart from three men in the front row, Geo. Nicholson has not shown his hand with regard to packing the-scrum. Manukau Rovers are an unknown quantity, but as they, finished up a tie with I'onsonby for third place in the championship, they can be depended upon to make strenuous efforts to retain that proud position, if they do not improve it. L. K. Heazlewood (full-back for both islands, Otago, Wellington and Auckland) their leading player, and it is anticipated Arnold Berridge (North Island fiveeighth in 1927) will be wearing the black ; crsey with the silver band. Stuart brothers will again fill their old positions. Whatever else they do, Rovers will always continue to play the sparkling football which makes the Onehunga side so popular at Eden Park.

A Scrum Experiment. Swhr Hadley, - captain—and coach of Marist Old Boys, is putting down a 3— i scrum, and is apparently going to try to utdise the old "winger" in the backs. Having won the Spillane Cup at Wellington at Easter (scoring 40 points to 9 in three victorias), the "double blues" are in rare trim for the outset of senior competition games here. All last year's forwards are on deck except J. Dunne, while a recruit for the backs is Stephens, a South Auckland rep. Mervyn Smith (fiveeighth) has brought along his jrounger brother, K. Smith, Sacred Heart College's captain. The colt scored two dazzling tries at wing-threequarter at Wellington. Owing to two years' residence term several familiar faces will again be missing from Training College, particularly N. Daviee, who played several fine games for Auckland representatives at full-back. The most notable acquisition is Goodwin ('Varsity's fast winger of three seasons ago), who represented the province in 1928. Among players available arc: — Backs: Douglas, Goodwin, Sharp, Heeps, Corkill, Townsend (captain), Grossman; forwards, Gunn, Dare, Baildon, Webber, Wellington, Kenny and Mars. J. S. Webster (vice-captain) twisted his left leg against Whangarei Old Boys (drawn, no score) on Saturday, and it may be some time before he can take his place in senior competition games.

Grafton and Technical Old Boys. Pursuing its policy of promoting players Who show promise in lower grades, it is likely that Grafton's senior fifteen this year will include at least ten men who have worked their way up through the junior divisions. A candidate for a place in the three-quarter line is R. Burton, who scored three tries in half an hour at Waiuku last Saturday. Wilkes, a Waikato representative, has joined up with Grafand will strengthen the five-eighths. Angus Finlayson is again likely to be skipper, and may have with him among the- forwards. Coyne (formerly of Te Awamutu) and Carmiehael (who has been in Melbourne for several years). Davis, a promoted junior, will probably be in the' centre of the back row in the new scrum formation. Of last year's seniors Parmer has returned to Te Puke, while Hammond has joined Otahuhu. "Tech." Old Boys will field nearly a dozen of the game fifteen as previously. They haye had a royal win in securing the services of Vic Badeley (1022 All Blacks) as coach. Haslam will again lead the; side into the arena. Xew men to appear in the green and gold jerseys will be. Evans (a Taranaki three-quarter), winter (South Auckland centre), Ainsley (Oriental forward from Wellington) and Savory (Marathon forward). College Rifles Sparkle Up. College Rifles have taken a new lease of life, and no further evidence need be offered when it is stated that Vivian Wilson (who played some fine games in Australia at centre—although chosen as winger—with 1920 All Blacks) has been practising with the team with a view to Playing again. Newcomers include Heise (a Manawatu five-eighth) and Ross (a forward). Under a new rule all footballing members of the 4th Howitzer Battery, which was moulded from the original College Rifles, must turn out with the- "dark blues." Three more recruits who will automatically become members thereunder are Wales, Stewart and Bishop, formerly Marathon players. The former has the safest pair of hands in Auckland. N. H. McMillan, -who played in the threequarter line for Xiondon Scottish in the Old Country also dons the jersey for Rifles. Senior B Champions. Otahuhu, after winning the senior B competition, with 19 points to Marathon's 17, played City for its position in the A grade, won, and in consequer.ee the "led and blacks" now enjoy the full senior status, which they have well rained. The suburban side already had tlja makings of a useful fifteen, with ~;:bert T. Pearson (the King's College " r.k batsman) in the pivotal position at c-eighth. Bert Palmer (the Auckland ' <( New Zealand hooker) will be an • i valuable acquisition in view of the ..tason's scrummaging experiments, while another senior to go over to Otahuhu is Hammond, of Grafton.