LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 169, 19 July 1932, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

INTER-ISLAND CONTEST. THE NORTHERN SELECTION. Literally, the cards are on the table for the inter-island contest. It has a special significance, as it will yield most of the talent that will be drawn upon to uphold the honour of New Zealand in the first Test against England to take place on Saturday week.

The Southern team, which is being assembled to-day in Christchurch for a workout prior to coming this way, was chosen early last week. Mr. Jim Sanders has laid the foundation for his side by choosing no less than nine men from the West Coast where the game has reached a high plane.

[ There they play hard and fast. So. the South Island thirteen contains a substantial majority of members well acquainted with each other's play, back and forward. The rearguard has speed and solid defensive quality. The three-quarter line, consisting of the two West Coasters, Devonport and Hart, with Barbara, of Otago, should command respect. The South Island has sprung surprises before to-day, and the stamina of the team this year should stand it in good stead. The North Island representatives chosen show that the selector, Mr. T. A. McClymont, is taking no risk with the invaders. In spite of criticism inseparable from a task of the kind, speed, skill and experience are not lacking in his final assortment. However, there is room for one or two reservations. Undoubtedly, Laing gained his place on the sheer merit of his versatile display at the week-end, added to which his club performances have been a recommendation. At the sayie time, it must be confessed that the Manst full-back, Campbell, revealed great form against South Auckland. Ilis handling and clearances at times were executed in sparkling style. He may be accounted unfortunate in having to give way, for the nonce, to a brilliant colt. There are many patrons who feel that the Newton custodian, Deinpsey, was worthy of trial before Watene. Our Inside Backs. If there are any faults to be found in the structure of the reaguard, they may be directed at the near-the-serum positions. The Ponsonby half, Mclntyrc, will have to be sharper in swinging that ball from his feet. Still, he performed reliably for Auckland. A burning question is the suitability of Prentice in the first fiveeighths berth. He delivered the goods on Saturday and has plenty of experience, though one recalls how he was beaten badly by the mercurial Stanley Fairclough of the 1928 British side. Against the South Island he will be faced by the hefty Jim Amos. Brimble and R. Smith were possibles as a link for the reliable Brisbane, who appears to be going well. In Bert Cooke the selector has found an ideal centre. By his latest exhibition he proved that, given a little more room in which to work, lie will make the ideal pivot for the wingers. Ben Davidson was not at his best on Saturday, though by no means a failure. Len Scott, the Devonport flyer is lucky, but, as past performances have proved, ho has the right temperament for big play, otherwise Davidson might have been retained. List is right at his best for the other flank. The forwards 'should make a formidable phalanx, averaging 14 stone, against the lusty Southerners. Battle Between Packs. A stern duel is assured in the rucks and scrums, but one still inclines to the opinion that the Southerners will have the lion's share of possession from the front. White, the Northlander, is 19 years of age and considered one of the best forwards ever seen up North. Laird, who hails from Ngaruawahia, demonstrated his mettle with South Auckland. Abetted by the other Waikato stalwarts and the two internationals. Hutt and Hall, the Northerners are well calculated to show pace in tile open.

It is as well to remember that, with better players offering than for the past five or six years, the selection of the best sides is no simple matter. No position for the New Zealand team is a sinecure. Mr. MeClymont has given a good lead to the national selectors and there may be necessity to invite extra men to go into training, even after the Test team has been selected on Saturday evening. This happened in Australia. No effort should be spared to win the Ashes, the more so now that our cousins across the Tasman failed in that important respect.

REPRESENTATIVE TRIAL. CURTAIN-RAISER FOR SATURDAY. The following teams have been selected to play a curtain-raiser a t Carlaw Turk 011 Saturday:— PROBABLES. Full-back: Campbell (M.0.8.). Three-quarters: Meehan (M.0.8.), Seagar (Devonport), McDonald (M.0.8.). I Five-eighths: O'Donnell (Devonport). Smith (Devonport). Half: Hassan (M.0.8.). Forwards: Casey. (Devonport). Campbell (M.0.8.), Simpson (Devonport), Clarke (M.0.8.), McLeay (Ponsonby), Scott (Devonport). POSSIBLES. Full-back: Watene (City). Three-Quarters: Crooks (Newton), Davidson (City), Abbott (S. Auckland). Five-eighths: Brimble (Newton), Johns (Richmond). * Half: Peckham (City). Forwards: Telford (Richmond), St. George (Newton), Clark (City), Lawless, (Richmond), Hobbs (City), Ivesen (M.0.8.). Reserves for both teams: Dempsey (Newton), Oliff (Devonport), A. Pope (Newton), Thompson (Ponsonby), Sowtcr (Devonport), Fagan (Ponsonby), Leatherbarrow (Devonport). All players must attend practice at Carlaw Park to-night and Thursday night at 7.30. Any player who is unavailable must notify E. Ashcr immediately.