NEPIA IN LIMELIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 14

NEPIA IN LIMELIGHT

AUOTHER LEAGUE OFFER. TURNS IT DOWN FOR BRITAIN? (By Telegraph.—fress Association.) GISBORNE, this day. When George Nepia took the field yesterday in the Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bay of Plenty Rugby football trial game to select a combined team for the Kapier All Black preliminary match, there was much discussion regarding the news of the latest offer made to the famous Maori All Black to join the League code. Nepia, when interviewed, corroborated the statement that a stranger visited his home-at Ruatoria and offered him a considerable amount in notes to sign an agreement to play three League matches as a New Zealand representative against Australia.

Nepia is a member of the Maori dairying community, and money does not flow like water in the settlement, but he rejected the offer, indicating his preference for finishing his career in the code which gave him early prominence. The preliminary All Black trial match for players of Poverty Bay, East Coast and the Bay of Plenty was played in an almost continuous drizzle. A feature of the game was the brilliant display by the Maori representative, George Xepia, who gave every indication of returning to top form with a few more good class games. His kicking and tackling were as good as ever, and he provided a climax to a surprisingly fast game by potting a goal from nearly half-way and close to touch. C. McKinley (Poverty Bay), E. Howell (Bay of Plenty), R. Lees (Bay of Plenty), and Webb (Poverty Bay) were among the best backs. Outstanding forwards wore Reedy (East Coast), Mathcson (Poverty Bay), Martin (Poverty Bay), Wright (Poverty Bay), Kershaw (East Coast) and Porohiti (Bay of Plenty). Team chosen to represent Poverty BayEast Coast-Bay of Plenty v. Hawke's BayBush in the trial match at Napier on Thursday:—Nepia. C. McKinley, Lees, Goldsmith, E. Howell, Webb. Potaka, G. Reedy, Mathcson, Newth, R. RodgdiP, Joyce, Kershaw, Martin and Porohiti. Reserves: Davies and Wright.

The Hawke'e Bay-Bush side for Thursday's trial at Napier is:—Full-back, Udy (Bush); three-quarters, C. Smith, Trcmewan, Apsey (Hawke's Bay); fiveeighths, C. Le Quesne (Hawke'e Bay), McSherry (Bush); half-back, Clothier (Hawke'e Bay); forwards, Rolls (Hawkee Bay), Mahoney (Bush), Reid, Miller, Mataira (Hawke's Bay), Olliver (Bush), Dalton (Hawke'e Bay), Mitchell (Bush). Reserves—Forwards: Harvey (Bush). Backs: Harris (Bush) and Bradley (Hawke's Bay). The referee will be Mr. Gilchrist, of Gisborne.

FRANKLIN BEATS WAIHI. At Waihl yesterday Franklin boat the local Rugby representatives by 14 points In a junior game Waihi beat Katikatl by 17 points to 3. WANGANUI BEATS TARANAKI. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI, Monday. A fast and bright Rugby football match to-day resulted in Wanganui defeating Taranaki by 21 points to 20. t-, 0 " 1 " 3 played an outstanding game as full-back for Taranaki, while Bullock-Douglas and Chase, both of Wanganui, were outstanding wingers. Bullock-Douglas scored the hardest try of the match, beating two men in a narrow space. Taranaki scored live tries to Wanganui's three. There were two field goals in Wanganui's score and two conversions. Taranaki's score included one penalty goal and one conversion. MATCHES IN WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Rugby football senior A matches nlayed to-day resulted as follow: Athletic 14, beat Wellington 9; Hutt 11, beat College Old Boys G; Eastbourne IS, beat Marist Old Bovs 14; Petone 10, beat Poneke 9. HAWKE'S BAY V. WAIRARAPA. (By —Press Association.) HASTINGS, Monday. In their second outing this season Hawke's Bay (Rugby representatives scored another win when they defeated Wairarapa by 29 points to, 14 to-day at McLean Park, Napier. Well over 4000 spectators attended. CANTERBURY BEATS COAST. (By Telegraphs—Press Association.) . GREYMOUTH, Monday. The Canterbury Rugby representative team defeated West Coast to-day by 10 points to 12, In the presence of over 2000 spectators. The score at half-time was 11 to 9 in favour of the visitors. ,

For Canterbury Oliver scored two trios and Hart and Kankin one each. Deavoll converted two tries. For West Coast Mann scored two tries and Gilbert kicked two penalty goals. The Canterbury backs were markedly superior, Oliver originating all scoring movements, with. Hart and Brown co-operating; Nolan was a good custodian.

The outstanding AVcst Coast backs -\vero Mann and Gilbert. The home forwards prevailed in the loose. King, McXeigbt; and Frcita being in excellent form. The best Canterbury forwards were Kankin, Howell, and Deavoll.' _,_'. .._.■;