SHIELD RUGBY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 186, 8 August 1935, Page 9

SHIELD RUGBY.

CHALLENGE MATCH.

CANTERBURY ARRIVE.

YOUNG AND LIGHT TEAM.

Full of hope and confidence, Canterbury's Rugby representatives arrived in Auckland this morning to prepare for their Ranfurly Shield challenge match agrinst Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday. They practised at Eden Park this afternoon.

Regarded in the South as something of a "mystery" team, the 1035 Canterbury side includes six players who will play their first representative football on Saturday. The team fc young and light, and will rely to a large extent on pace in its efforts to take the Kanfurly Shield back to C; iterbury.

Under the managership of Mr. V. L. Jensen, the team arrived in Auckland by the early express this morning. They are staying at the Royal Hotel. The side which will take the field against Auckland on Saturday is:— Full-back: G. Ethorne (11.10). Three-quarters: N. Dunshea (12.4), J. Poison (11.0), R. Brown (10.7). Five-eighths: K. S. Mortlock (11.8), G. Parsons, captain (11.11). Half-back: J. McAuliffe (12.0). Front row: R. Thompson (13.2), J. Burke (12.4), 0. Hattersley (13.G). Middle row: G. W. Thompson (.14.0), G. J. Howell (13.10), J. Sweeney (14.4), 11. Deavoll (13.8). Back of scrum: J. Rankine (12.10). Emergencies Backs, C. McPhail, JGaskin; forwards M. R. limes, H. Milliken. The Auckland side was chosen by the sole selector, Mr. J. H. M. Muir, after a practice last night as follows: — Full-back: R. G. T.ush (University). Three-quarters: Currey (Grafton), Ncale (Grafton), Grant (University). Five-eighths: Murdoch (Technical), Hedge (Otahuhu). Half-back: Frankham (Ponsonby). >ont Row: S. Hadley, captain (Marist), Bond (Ponsonby), Brown (Grammar). Middle row: Lockington (Grammar). Weber (Technical), Butler (Marist). \ndcrson (Grafton). Back of scrum: Sdomon (Ponsonby). Emergencies: Backs, Pearson (Otahuhu), Moylc .Otahuhu); forwards. Fitzgibbon (Marist), Newdick (Ponsonby), Jury (Otahuhu). Losses to Both Sides. For a big representative season Auckland has been hit harder than Canterbury by the selection of players for the 1935 All Blacks. Whereas Canterbury have only three stars missing, G. F. Hart, C. J. Oliver and J. E. Manchester, Auckland have seven.

Two alterations have become necessary from the side which was defeated by Taranaki a fortnight ago, both B. A. Killeen, a five-eighth, and A. Knight, captain and leader of the pack, being on the injured list. Their places have been filled by Murdoch and Weber, both of whom have represented Auckland before. Although the strength of Canterbury is practically unknown, they may, as has often happened before with young and inexperienced teams, spring a surprise, but on the face of things it seems unlikely. Auckland's pack will probably be a stone Heavier than the Canterbury eight, and with euch an advantage should have little difficulty in winning the ball from scrums and tight rucks. Forward, Auckland should control the game. As a combination their backs are unknown, but individually they are sound. Canterbury Tourists. Originally chosen as full-back for the Canterbury touring side, I. Behrens went down with influenza last Monday, and his place was filled by G. Ethorne, a promising lad who two years ago played for Chrietchurch Boys' High School. There is plenty of pace in the threequarter line. N. Dunshea is a 12st right wing who has played on and off for Canterbury for several seasons. In the centre is J. Poison, who will fill the gap caused by the absence of Oliver. Both he and the other wing, K. Brown, are playing their first games for their province. Brown plays in the five-eighth position for his club, but showed considerable promise as a wing in training, and so is being tried.

K. S. Mortlock, the second five-eighth, represented the South Island in the match against the North last year, and also played in the All Black trials earlier this season. His partner is G. Parsons, who will captain the team, although he is playing his first representative match. The half-back is J. McAuliffe, who played several sound games for Canterbury towards the end of last season. Only one man in the team has previously played against Auckland in Auckland —G. W. Thompson, a side row forward. With the exception of two of the front row forwards, Burke and R. Thompson, the Canterbury pack has had considerable experience. Their star forward is H. Deavoll, a fine side row player, and very fast. He played in the final All Black trials at Wellington, and was regarded by many as being unfortunate in not winning a place in the All Black team.

Canterbury have played only one representative match this season—their annual fixture against West Coast, whom they beat by 16 points to 9. In that match they had the services of Hart and piivec,