FAREWELL TO NEPIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 199, 23 August 1935, Page 13

FAREWELL TO NEPIA.

MAORIS V. AUCKLAND.

TO-MORROW'S BIG GAME.

end of spectacular tour.

In view of the appearance of George Nepia's brilliant Maori combination at Eden Park to-morrow, the following record of matches played by Auckland against native teams, is interesting:— 1888—Auckland beat New Zealand natives (who included a percentage of Europeans) by 9 points to 0. Scorers: Tries by H. Stephenson (2), Rab Mackenzie, R. Crowe and R. Masefield; two converted by E. McCausland, who sailed with the natives and scored 149 points on the tour —mostly by goal kicking. 1889 —Auckland beat the New Zealand natives (after return from Britain), by 7 points to 2. Scorers (Auckland): Tries by J. Lecky (captain) and M. Herrold, one converted by F. M. Jervis; field goal by R. Masefield. Now Zealand natives, tries by W. ("Mother") Elliott and Taare (Goldsmith). In those days tries counted one point, increased to three points if converted into a goal. The prime object of the game was goal scoring. 1910 —The Maoris beat Auckland by 8 points to 6. Scorers (Maoris, after return from Australia): Tries by A. Kaipara and Jack Hall; one converted by W. Cunningham. Auckland, tries by J. Armstrong and "Scobie" McKenzie. The Maori scorers were three famous players: Kaipara (Poverty Bay), one of the cleverest five-eighths who ever donned a jersey, three times represented North Island (1910, 1911 and 1912); Hall, wing-forward for Auckland in the height of its Rai.furly Shield might, and wore the blue and white jersey no less than 33 times: the late Bill Cunningham, 1905 All Black lock, who played for Auckland in 45 representative games. Kaipara, after being invalided home from Egypt in 1916, was killed at Ploegstert Wood, (near jlessines) in 1017.

"Rox" and Wiri Harrison. Also a member of the Maori combination which toured Australia that winter was H. ("Rox") Harrison. He hailed from. Thames and was in Auckland's shield teams in 1910, which beat Taranaki 16 —9 and Canterbury 6—4. In the latter game the red and blacks led by a potted goal to nil ten minutes' from time. However, Auckland was always very hard to heat in those days—they never lost once they did get in front, as the blue and whites did after being 13—11 up on Canterbury close to time a fortnight ago— and two tries were forthcoming from

Harrison and Jim Wylie (of the 1913 All Blacks to California and British Columbia). In referring to this on August 9 in the history of Canterbury-Auckland matches, Harrison was confused with his uncle, the late Wiri Harrison (died last September), the famous Northern Wairoa three-quarter, who wound-up his career by playing at centre when Auckland beat Hawke's Bay here in 1905 by 28 points to 3. Wiri was Auckland's fullback in 1904 against Bedell-Sivright's Britishers. Under Morrie Wood's captaincy the blue and whites won 13—0, just previous to which they (the Aucklanders) had lost the Ranfurly Shield to Wellington in the first challenge ever played for its possession. Harrison was also custodian in -that historic encounter; also against the amber and blacks three weeks later when Taranaki beat Auckland here by a penalty goal (R. Frewin) to nil. 1912—Auckland beat the Maoris by 27 points to 0. Scorers: Tries by J. V. Macky (2), R. McGregor (nephew of the great "Dick") (2), Geo. Sellars (in the 1910 Maori team in Australia), A. Trezise, M. J. Carroll; three conversions by Karl Ifwersen and one by the late Tom Walshe (ex Poneke and Wellington), whose goal close to time five weeks later, stopped the Ranfurly Shield from going to Otago, when the genial Paddy Sheehan (now of Stanley Bay) led the dark blues. 1922—Auckland beat the Maoris by 16 points to 11. Scorers (Auckland): Tries by H. D. Brinsden (the golfer), L. C. Williams (champion sprinter), W. L. Wiseman (New Zealand 'Varsities rep.) and L. Earl; two converted by Karl Ifwersen. Maoris, tries by Sam Gemmell and Phillips; one converted by W. Potaka (1923 All Black) and' penalty goal by Rangi Akuira, the famous Te Aute College goal-kicker. This was the team (captained by Harry Jacob of the 1920 All Blacks), which, like to-morrow's Crusaders), beat New South Wales in the Test rubber. The "Cornstalks" subsequently beat the 1922 All Blacks (led by "Moke" Belliss). In a match at Wellington after the New Zealand Rugby Union's team's return the Maoris went under by 21 points to 14. 1926—The Maoris beat Auckland by 13 points to 12. Scores (Maoris): Tries by Haupapa and Gemmell; both converted by the Rev. P. Matene, who also kicked a penalty goal. Auckland, tries by L. Hook, J. Lynch, D. Reid and I. Cathcart.

The Maori side then toured France and Britain under the captaincy of Watty Barclay, who next year caused Hawke's Bay to lose the Ranfurly Shield, who beat Wairarapa 21 —10 in the "Battle of Solway." Barclay was not eligible to play for the Bay, having played in Auckland within three weeks previously.

1927—Auckland beat the Maoris by 31 points to 6. Scorers: Auckland, W. Batty (2), R. G. McWilliams, Arthur Keene (now 'Varsity coach), A. McManus, L. Hook, C. E. O. Badeley and Len Rigb.ton; two converted by A. Berridge, who also kicked a penalty goal. Maoris: Two tries by Rika. Summary.—Played 9, Auckland won 7, Maoris won 2. Points: Auckland 141, Maoris 41.

Beat N.S.W., in Rubber. Record of the 1935 Maori side: — July 10—v. Warwick, won. 32 —10. Julv 13—v. Queensland, lost. 22 —39. Julv 17 —v. Toowoomba. won. 35 —13. Julv 20—v. Queensland, won. lo—lo. Julv 24—v. Far West. won. 38—3. _ Julv 27 —v. New South Wales, won (s—o. Julv 31—v. Western District. won.

42— S. Ausnist 3—v. Victoria, won. 28—16. Ausnst i>—v. New South Wales, lost

13—20. Aucust 10—v. New South Wales, won

14—5. Ausnist 14-—v. Newcastle, won. 11—0. Aucust 21 —v. Wellington, lost. 9 —ll I after scoring three tries to nil!) Summary: Plaved 12. won 9. lost 3. Point?: Maoris 265. opponents 143. The Maoris disband after Saturday's game at Eden Park.

Ave atque vale. Hail and farewell! The - most spectacular' figure in the Rugby history of the universe, George Nepia, first sprang into real fame at Eden Park in the Prince of Wales Cup match in 1924, his game at fullback ensuring his selection in the All Blacks, for whom he played as custodian in all of its 30 games in the United Kingdom. Curiously enough lie did not

again show international form here either in Hawke's Bay or international sides. As to-morrow may be his last appearance in Auckland in big football, no doubt many thousands will go along to Eden Park specially to bid au revoir to a wonderful footballer who "has played the game" in every sense of that term both on and off the field, been a credit to the Maori race and made tKe name of New Zealand Rugby resound throughout the Empire. Teams for Saturday:—

The Maoris. Backs: G. N'epia, C. Smith, G. Ngaia, J. Phillips, J. McDonald, J. C. Reedy, H. Harrison, C. Mellish. (One to be omitted.) Forwards: K. Reedy, H. Whiu, W. Cooper, B. Rogers, P. Smith, L. Kawe, G. Harrison, J. Broderick, T. Whiteley. (One to be omitted.)

Auckland. Backs: M. Turbott, J. Dick, A. Fletcher, K. Moses, B. A. Ivilleeii (captain), E. Neal, W. Frankham.

Forwards: G. Newdick, H. Bond, A Brown, T. Lockington, K. Weber, J Butler, R. Anderson, F. Solomon. Reserves: L. Curtuyne, T. Bunting, T. Fitzgibbon.

The referee, will be Mr. J. A. Malcolm, the ex-Wellingtonian, who was full-back in 1926, when North Island beat the South at Athletic Park, 41—9.

HAEREMAI!

WELCOME BY MAORI R.S. CLUB. The Maori' Returned Soldiers' Club, which was formed a few months ago, has arranged to entertain the Maori Rugby team (which is to play Auckland on Saturday) at dinner at 6 o'clock this evening at the Royal Cafe. Sir George Richardson will preside.

A dance in honour of the Maoris will also be held at the Druids' Hall to-morrow night.

JUBILEE CUP

TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMME,

The Jubliee trophy competition of the Auckland Rugby Union will be commenced to-morrow when five matches are set down for decision. The principal match, between Grammar Old Boys and Marist, will be played as a curtain-raiser to the match between the Maoris and Auckland at Eden Park. On the No. 2 ground at 1.30 o'clock University will meet College Rifiejs, this same being followed by Technical Old Boys and Manukau at three o'clock. Grafton, the leading team in the senior championship, will try conclusions with Ponsonby at the Showgrounds, while Otahuhu and North Shore are to meet at North Shore. Parnell has a bye. All matches are expected to be keenly contested. Lower grade competitions will be continued. Teams:—

COLLEGE RIFLES. Seniors.—Kirk, Pedrotti, Wales, Tilby, Martin, Vear, Albrecht, Barker, McDonald, Batty, Hurt, Stewart. Trewby. Bunting, Lowry, Tattersfield, Ford, Griffiths, McMaster, Adams, Berry.' UNIVERSITY. Seniors.—McFarlantl, Charlton, Lewis, Klrkland, Hesketh, Mulvihill, H. Inglis, Daniel, Thomas, Jensen, Gibson, Drake, Armitage, Sherwood, Carnachan, Chater, McVeagh, Wood. MARIST OLD BOYS. Seniors.—Loomb, Jones, Logan, Smith, Bell-Booth, Lane, Porteous, Elliot, Judd, Fitzpatrick, Speight, Fowler, McHugh, Julian, Toye, Bailey, McDonald, Tilley, Petrie, Lawson.

COLLEGIATE CONTESTS.

The first fifteen of the Auckland Grammar School left by train yesterday for New Plymouth, whero it will take part in an inter-schools' tournament in connection with the jubilee of the Taranaki Rugby Union. Four schools will participate in the tournament—New Plymouth Boys* High School, Christehurch Boys' High School, Otago Boys' High School and Auckland Grammar. School. Matches will be played at New Plymonth and Hawera. The first series will be decided to-morrow.

The Sacred Heart College first fifteen also left by train yesterday for Palmerston North, where it will play St. Patrick's College, Wellington, in the annual match. At Wellington yesterday St. Patrick's College, Wellington, beat St. Bede's College, Christchurch, by 17 points to 3.

£250 FOR CHARITY.

(By' Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, , this day. A Rugby match played yesterday afternoon between teams from the Post and Telegraph Department and the Police resulted in over £250 being raised for charity. A feature of the entertainment was a mock court., before which Ministers of the Crown and prominent officials were arraigned.