THE OPENING TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 175, 26 July 1932, Page 13

THE OPENING TEST.

FIRST N.Z. SELECTION. The international Rugby League forces i of England and New Zealand, after a lapse of four years, will be at grips again on Saturday, when new figures amd fresh standards of football comparisons should enhance sporting history. The personnel of the New; Zealand team announced on Saturday evening, undoubtedly caused several surprises, but, on the whole, it may be said the eide is constructed on sound lines. An analysis reveals a fine blend of players of the type capable of being welded into a combination that should worthily uphold the football prestige of this country. There are retained—apart from emergencies— eight internationals, and Cooke, the exRugby Union All Black, and four newcomers. The inside backs bear the hallmark of resourceful skill, and the threequarters should be qualified to add finish calculated to produce scoring points. Whilst the inter-Island clash did not rise to the rousing heights of some of the six previous contests, it denoted that the Southern Leagues are cultivating good players in their provinces. The fact that no lese than two backs and two forwards come from West Coast, and a forward reserve from Canterbury, for the first Test team, is ample testimony to substantial progress.. Four Youthful Players. Four very young players who will be wearing the All Black jersey for the first time are Laing, Hart (who has just turned 18 years of age), Masters and St. George. The last-mentioned, a member of Newton Rangers Club and brother of Neville St. George, the well-known Devonport and Auckland hooker a few years ago, had not I played for the North Island, in which Laing made his first appearance at the ■week-end. No doubt the Ne\v Zealand selectors had a good deal of anxiety about the fullback position, in view of the claims of others, more particularly Campbell, Delgrosso and Dempsey. The Ponsonby veteran was honoured with emergency selection. Laing handles and kicks well and is clever on his feet. The West Coast youth Peter Hart, a heady, straight-running, fast and weighty exponent, showed to advantage marking Cooke on Saturday, and has been highly complimented by being installed on the wing. List is no stranger to centre, and Lcn Scott will be on his other flank. The latter was at times a trifle too lackadaisical in his last performance. Every confidence should be felt in Brisbane and A. E. Cooke, and with the nippy Masters at half-back, play from the scrum base should lack neither thrustfulness nor enterprise. Solid Set of Forwards. A fine pack of forwards has been, assembled. It is not to say that it could not be improved. The front row men should go down in well-balanced style. With C'alder and Stephenson, North Island and "Kiwi" hookers, to aid him, St. George should have a fair chance to rake the ball successfully. The new hooker is a rugged sort and brilliant in the loose, where he runs and handles like a back. M. O'Brien was in great buckle in the first spell on Saturday, but he faded somewhat. Timms was keen in the tight stuff, but he and O'Brien were a shade lucky to supersede Hamburger, who is a reserve. The young Northlander White greatly impressed, and like Laird, the Waikato frontranker, is sure to get early recognition. There could be little doubt about the claims of Hutt to inclusion, though one regrets to see that a skilled lock man like Trevor Hal! may not be utilised at present in breakaway position. Another reserve of the four, R. Smith, the Devonpovt five-eighth, gained precedence over Prentice. Seagar, Brimble. Peckham and Johns, judged on the trial game, 'also must have been considered for honours. The selectors, Messrs. T. A. McClymont iind A. Ferguson (Auckland) and J. Sanders (Cluistchurcli), have carried out a difficult task with credit.