AUCKLAND FIFTEEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1932, Page 12

AUCKLAND FIFTEEN.

OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES.

"DARK BLUES" FOR TO-MORROW,

NOT SO STRONG AS LAST YEAR.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day.

The game between Auckland and Otago is always one of the most popular representative fixtures of the season in Dunedin. just as it is in Auckland, and wide interest is being taken in the contest to take place on Wednesday. Though perhaps not quite as strong all round as the team which defeated Auckland on its own ground last year, and won praise in the North for its dashing play, Otago this year lias an even better pack. Although conceding weight to Canterbury last week, the Otago forwards held the upper hand, and against Auckland they will be strengthened by the inclusion of Hore, just back from the All Black tour. Besides Hore, three members of the pack who were seen in Auckland last year are Finlayson, Allan and Hartne'll. The lastnamed is playing outstanding football. He is of the strong, dashing type, equally at home in tight and loose play, and is a sure handler. Other members of a good pack are Service, Hamilton, Findlay and Niven—the first two representing the province this year for the first time. The Otago backs were a little disappointing in the game with Canterbury, but the inclusion of Fookes as second five-eighth, and All Black Proc.tor on the wing, should strengthen them materially. Behind the serum is Simon, who did so well in Auckland last year. Owing to injury in the early part of the season this player did not show anything like his true form in the inter-Island game, but now is right back to form, and many competent observers consider him the best half for many years.

The first five-eighth is Bathgate, a solid reliable player, and the centre is Smith, a promising player in that position, who, as well as showing initiative in attack, is noted for his deadly tackling. On one wing is Proctor, who lias quite recovered from injuries sustained in Australia, and on the other wing is McSkimming, the only country player in the team. He is of the rugged type, with plenty of determination, and has been chosen in place of Mackenzie, the fast 'Varsity winger, whose exclusion is rather surprising. The selectors have had difficulty with the full-back position, and are playing Symonds, who is representing the province for the first time.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' GAMES

The following matches -will be played In the Primary Schools' Rugby Union s competitions on Friday, cxcept where otherwise stated :— SHOWGROUNDS GROUP. Senior.—Representative trial match, No. 1, 3.15 p.m. Intermediate.—Ellerslie v. Onehunga, No. 3, 3.15 p.an. ; Epsom B v. Bpsom A, by arrangement.; Royal Oak, n bye. Junior. —Onehunga v. Royal Oak B. No. 4, 3.15 p.m.; Royal Oak A v. Elljrslie, No. 2, 3.15 p.m. ; Cornwall Park, a bye; Normal B v. Mount Roskill, Normal School, 3.30 p.m., Thursday; Bpsom A v. Normal A, Pencarrow Avenue, 4 p.m., Thursday; Bpsom B v. iMaungawliau, x'encarrow Avenue, 8.15 p.m., Thursday. BDEN PARK GROUP. Senior. —Kowhai A v. Kowhai B, Bden Park No. 2, 3.15 p.m. Bye, Maungawhau, to play bye in Domain Group on No. 2, Domain, at 3.15 p.m.; Auckland Central Reps. v. Auckland North Reps, Bden Park No. 2, 12.30 p.m., Saturday. Intermediate. —Brixton Road v. Mount Bden, Gribble Hurst Park, 3.15 p.m.; Kowhai A v. Maungawhau, Potter's Park, 3.15 p.m.; Norman v. Grey Lynn, Bden Park No. 3, 3.50 p.m.; Newton West v. Mount Albert, Eden Park No. 3, 3.5 p.m.; Kowhai Av. Kowhai B, by mutual arrangement. Junior (Wednesday, August 10). —Mount Eden v. Newton West, Gribble Hurst Park, 3.50 p.m.; Kowhai Av. Brixton Itoad, Eden Park iNo. 3, 3.5 p.in ; Bdcndale v. Grey Lynn, Eden Park No. 3, 3.50 p.m.; Mount Albert v. Kowhai B, Gribble Hurst Park, 3.5 p.m. Calixtus Shield Challenge Match, Final for Junior Grade Representatives.,—Bden Park Group v. Western Suburbs Group, Eden Park No. 1, 12.30 p.m. Saturday.

WHANGAREI TEAMS.

The sole selector, Mr. J. Brltlaud, has announced the team to represent Whnngarei against Mangonul In th<* Harding Shield match at Whangavel on Saturday : — Full-back, G. Kerr; three-quarters, B. Llnncll, A. B. Campbell, M. Barach; fiveeighths, Ford, C. Lane; half-back, N. McDonald or B. Morrissey; forwards, M. Morrissey, M. Sheriff, McKenzte, M. Rika, A. N. Flnlayson, Peacock, J. Allison, J. Linnell. Morrison, who was Injured last Saturday, la not available.

The Whangarei High School Rugby team to play tho Mount Albert Grammar School tlrst fifteen at Auckland next Saturday -will be:—H. Curtis, G. Watson, K. Ross, E. Wilson, B. Reed, W. Williams, A. Smith, V. Wallace, P. Smith, D. Johnston, D. Davidson, R.. Jounneaux, R. Dunn, K. Given, A. Haigli.