INTER-ISLAND MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 206, 31 August 1934, Page 12

INTER-ISLAND MATCH.

CARLAW PARK ATTRACTION. YOUNG TALENT GETS CHANCE STIRRING GAME ANTICIPATED. One of the most popular features in the calendar of the New Zealand Rugby Football League, the meeting of teams representing the North and South Islands, will be the star attraction at Carlaw Park tomorrow, when a gripping and spectacular contest appeavs to be assured. The programme for the occasion will include a Phelan Shield semi-final between keen rivals, Newton Rangers and Devon port, as principal curtain-raiser, while on No. 2 ground the third grade intermediate championship, to be decided by Ponsonby and Marist, will be preceded by the other senior shield semi-finalists, Ponsonby and City Rovers.

Right down the years, even when the North Island hold a recognised superiority over the South Island in the code, the inter-island clash has never failed to arouse considerable public interest and patronage. Last year, on the score of economy, the

council abandoned the fixture, but this season the authorities, responding to the requests of affiliated centres, decided that, in View of the extensive national and international programme planned for 1935. it would be opportune to resume the match, with the direct idea of trying out, as far as possible, the rising talent known to have developed in well-established and new territories. That vision has been exer-

cised in this matter is emphasised by 'he personnel of the island teams that will be seen in action to-morrow. The rival thirteens will each have a leavening of experienced players, in which respect, o£ course, advantage will be with the North Island.

It is noteworthy that the South will contain six backs and three forwards (including an emergency) who have not previously been picked for South Island honours, while the North team will introduce five backs and three forwards. Captained by A. E. Cooke at second five-eighths and with his club mate S. Prentice in first berth and R. Powell at half-back, the North Island rearguard should be capable of giving a fine exhibition of clever and speedy play. The threequarters — Stephens, Walter Tittleton (South Auckland), R. E. Smith (Hawke's Bay)— average under 22 years of age. Cliff Hunt, the Taranaki rep. and Inglewood captain, is no novice as a full-back, vor lie starred in the position when identified with the Union game. The North has a

robust and fast pack, in which the newcomers are the hooker, C. O'Callaghan (Northland), and the breakaway, J. McLeod (Taranaki), whose performances will be watched closely. As usual, North's success may largely depend upon division of the ball in the scrums. Word came to hand yesterday that Calder (West Coast) was unable to make the trip with the southerners and he is replaced by L. Wchrner, a Canterbury rep. forward from Addinpton C'lub. The New Brighton player, R. Ward, is a very successful hooker, and with such players as W. Glynn and Gray Scott (West Coast) and Hamberger and M. Smith (Canterbury) with him, he should get every assistance as regards weight, seeing that altogether the scrum sextet turn the scale at a total of 79 stone. With .T. E. A. Amos (captain), at first five-eighths, a very youthful, fast and enterprising back division is calculated to keep the northerners busy. It is unfortunate that L. G. Young, chosen to replace I .T. Dodds could not make the trip. T. Scott, a dashing young Inangahua threequarter, has been selected, and he. will bo playing second five-eighths in the early stages of the game, with Ayres at centre three-quarter. Morris and Wellsmore are said to be virile young wingers, and tiie full-back, T. McKenzie, has a high reputation in the South. At this time of the year the members of both teams should be in good condition for the fast and open play which spectators appreciate. Following are the teams:—

North Island. Full-back.—C. Hunt (Taranaki). Three-quarters.—R. E. Smith (Hawke's Bay), W. Tittleton (South Auckland), M. Stephens (Auckland). Five-eighths.—A. E. Cooke, captain (Auckland), S. Prentice (Auckland). Half-back.—R. Powell (Auckland). Forwards.—Front row: L. Hutt Auckland), C. O'Callaghan (Northland), S. Clarke (Auckland). Second row: C. Satherley (Auckland), T. Timms (South Auckland). Breakaway: J. McLcod (Taranaki). South Island. Full-back.—T. McKenzie (Inangahua). Three-quarters.—T. Morris (Inangahua), F. Ayres, (Canterbury), F. Wellsmore (Canterbury).

Five-ciglit.hs.—J. E. Amos, captain (Canterbury), P. Scott (West Coast). Half-back.—T. O'Connor (West Coast). Forwards.—L. Wehrner (Canterbury), R. Ward (Canterbury), W. Glyijn (West Coast), E. Hamberger (Canterbury), M. Smith (Canterbury). G. Scott (Inangahua). Reserve.—J. Ginders (Otago). Mr. P. Rogers has been appointed referee.