KANGAROOS' TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 223, 20 September 1935, Page 14

KANGAROOS' TOUR.

TO-MORROW'S MATCH.

THRILLING CONTEST ASSURED ■AUCKLAND KEEN FOR VICTORY. A milestone in the Rugby League history of New Zealand will be reached tomorrow when another international team from Australia will land by the Monterey to play the opening match of what is expected to be a tour of historical importance against the Auckland representatives. The players from across the Taxman can rely upon a hearty welcome from the sports-loving public of this country.

It is 16 years since the first Australian team toured the Dominion and provided fast and spectacular exhibitions that proved valuable object lessons on the virtues of scientific Rugger expounded by well-chosen and thoroughly-trained players. Many followers of both codes preserve vivid memories of that magnificent galaxy of stars such as Harold Holder, L. A. Cubitt, H. Gilbert. C. Eraser, R. Norman, W. Paten, A. Holloway. Norman Potter, Frank Burge and R. Latta —just to mention a few—all players of the finest calibre who have done their part in setting the code on the peak it now holds in Australia. The day after its arrival at Wellington the team won its first Test 4-1— 21, suffered its only loss of the tour against New Zealand at Christchurch 10 —23, then beat New Zealand 34 —23 and 32—2 at Auckland, beat Waikato 5S—5. Auckland 32— S. Hawke's Bay twice 67—i and 73 —7 and finally disposed of Wellington 93 —5.

Since 1919 New Zealand, with visits from various Australian State and club sides and four British teams, has advanced greatly in playing knowledge and player strength. To-day. following five years of national reorganisation and a marked development- during the 1935 season, this Dominion is considered to be rich in talent. As with the Australian authorities, the New Zealand Council desired the earliest opportunity to try out its players in view of the British team's tour this way next year, followed probably by the first French touring combination. For that reason both countries, will be placing in the field a number of well-seasoned exponents, with a crop of brilliant young players expected to greatly benefit by international experience. So the stage is set for some notable football in these fixtures with the Kangaroos during the next two and a half weeks. Unfortunately, owing to the lateness of the season, the itinerary, as fixed by the Australian Board of Control, does not embrace matches in the South Island, but leading players from southern leagues will play in the combined team at Wellington against the visitors next Wednesday, and also in the three Test matches. Australian Personnel. The Australian team to meet Auckland at Carlaw Park to-morrow is not yet available, but it is certain that manager Harry Sunderland will be taking no risks and will field the strongest thirteen possible. Captained by Dave Brown, hailed as Australia's greatest centre of all time, and who has recently broken all individual Rugby scoring records in tries and goals, brilliant tliirteens out of the 20 players in the party, will be available for each of the six matches, five of which, including the Tests, will be played in Auckland province.

Of the ten clever backs to be seen in action, Brown, Norman (five-eighth) and Thicknesse (half-back) were here with Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in 1931, while tl»e winger Hines was in Auckland with Western Suburbs last season. Newcomers will be the Qucenslanders —F. Gilbert, who went to England in 1933-34; W. Mahon, the dashing centre from the Dalby district, and J. Whittle, the spectacular I'oowooiuba full-back—while other New South Wales players are the Eastern Suburbs (formerly 'Varsity) centre, Ross McKinnon; Laurie War'd, the new State custodian, and S. Goodwin, the Balmain winger, who replaced H. Robinson, the Queensland winger. The latter could not make the trip owing to failing to pass the medical test. The two Queensland forwards with the tourists are Henry Bichell, 22 years of age, weighing 14.2 and standing 6ft 3in, and E. Collins (23), 12.6. Eric Lewis is the utility man of the side. M. Shields, from. Quirindi, is one of the hookers, the other being familiar Perce Fairall (St. George), who was here "with Western Suburbs also. Those two great Kangaroo forwards, Pearce and Stehr (Easts) also will be renewing acquaintance. Three of Australia's outstanding forwards for several years, making their first Tasman crossing, are Wally Prigg (who has been twice to England) and S. E. Gibbs (both of Newcastle) and Frank J. Curran, an international who went abroad in 1933-34. This fine front ro>7 man, former country player and now of South Sydney, is a member of the Sydney police force. Sturdiness and speed are features of the team. It would be surprising if the last three mentioned packmen are not in the first team to step out. If Ward is fullback and the Eastern Suburbs inside back formation of Thicknesse-Norman-Brown is the order, readers will know that practically a Test side will be pitted against Auckland. Confidence in Auckland.

With A. E. Cooke at full-baek, fast and vigorous backs in front of him. and swift-moving forwards able to get possession, Auckland will take the field in winning vein. There are some people who might have preferred the introduction of Demp6ey at full-back when it was discovered that Campbell, the Marist player, was not available. However, the selectors apparently preferred to bring into the team Cliff Hall, the Devonport winger, shift Cooke to the last line and Minchain to centre, where he has shown good form in the last two matches for Richmond Hovers. Hall did well on the tour south, as did Kay. This Ponsonby player is called upon to support Prentice who is now in his best form. Powell, behind the scrum, should go well in such company, though he will need to be vigilant should the darting Thicknesse be in opposition. The Auckland pack is one of the most compact the city has ever fielded — solid, fast and clever all-round. Quirkc, of Newton Hangers, should give Fairall or Shields a contest for the ball. The second row men and Tetley will have to be sharp if Prigg is Australia's, loose for■ward- Provided Auckland can get a fair amount of the ball it should win.

The team will be:—• . Full-back.—A. E. Coote (captain). _ Three-quarters. —L. Brown, E. T. Mulch am, C. Hall. Five-eighths.—A. Kay, S. Prentice (Ist). Half-back.—R. Powell. Forwards. —Front row: L. Hutt, S. Qnirke, W. Telford. Second- row: C. Satherly, J. Laird. Breakaway: H. Tetley. Reserves.—-D. Herring (forward), T. Mitchell, B. Riley. Referee.—Mr. M. Wetherill. Linesmen.—Messrs. P. Rogers and W. Simpson. The big match at 3 p.m. will be preceded by a series of special curtain-raisers commencing at 11.30 a.m. The first will be a school boys' fixture, then a match between Kamo (Northland) and Newton fourths and a third grade final between ponsonby and City Rovers. Civic Reception. A reception is to be accorded the Australian team at the Town Hull by the deputy-Mayor, Mr. B. Martin, on Monday at noon, when the speeches will be broadcasted. On Monday evening the visitors, who ■will be at the Commercial Hotel over the week-end, will leave for Wellington, where •they will be welcomed and entertained by the Hon. J. G. Coates at Parliament House. The New Zealand Council last evening decided that players entering Carlaw Park on Saturday will require to go through Stanley Street entrance. Unemployed will be admitted to the ground for 1J-

COURTNEY GOODWILL CUP.

j DECIDED ON TEST MATCH SERIES. I At the meeting of the Council of the I >»' ew Zealand llugby League last evening voluminous correspondence was received in relation lo the Australian tour and I from various affiliated centrcs. in a letter notifying the donation of the Courtney Goodwill Cup for competition between Australia and New Zealand, Mr. R. O. Courtney, writing from Sydney, said that in designing the trophy lie endeavoured to incorporate something that, simultaneously, would be symbolic of the characteristics, similar in general, yet differing in detail, ol' the two countries and of their close union in spirit. It .was his desire that the cup would serve to some extent as a focal point of healthy rivalry, and as a momento of pleasant international association between the players and administrators. The trophy wan being conveyed to New Zealand by the managers of the coming Australian team, and he trusted it Mould be considered worthy of the object to which it was dedicated.

Mr. W. J. Taylor said that as one of me managers of the 1930 New Zealand team to Australia, he had pleasant recol-lcc-tions of the interest and pride Mr. Courtney took in the players and their welfare. This association prompted the gift of the Courtney Silver Football for inter-island competition, and the donor, who was a New Zealander, then said he hoped to do much more for the game in the Dominion. The Courtney Goodwill Cup was the result, and it was stated to be a most beautiful work of art. Moving that Mr. Courtney be heartily thanked for his generosity, Mr. Taylor also proposed that the donor's suggestion that his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Galway, be invited to present the trophy to the winners, be acceded to, and official endeavours be made in that direction. Mr. E. Stallworthy seconded, and the motion was carried by acclamation.

Mr. Sneddon said the gift was a notable and appropriate one, and it would be hoped that the trophy would be an incentive for greater reciprocity between the two countries. It was a fine thing that this gesture should come from a New Zealander—a South Islander at that — whose life-work at present occupied him most of his time in Australia. (Applause.)

Mr. Taylor added that when the Courtney Football Trophy was presented to the New Zealand team at Brisbane in 1930. Sir. Harry Sunderland, who was now on bis way to the Dominion as one of the managers, was a guest at the gathering.

The Courtney Goodwill Cup will go to the winners of the "ashes."

Mr. Snedden, at the opening of the meeting, referred to the loss suffered by the code in the death of a pioneer official, Mr. A. Freeman, whom the speaker said had also been prominently identified with cricket. A motion of condolence was passed in the usual manner.

The Wellington Eugby League referred enthusiastically to the recent success of the fixture .with Wellington. Through the Auckland Rugby League permission was granted Mount Albert senior team to travel to Hawke's Bay on Saturday to meet the provincial club premiers, Taradale. Match at Wellington. / The Combined Team and positions of players to meet the Australians at the Stadium Showground at Wellington on Wednesday:— Full-back: Ivan Wilson (late Auckland). Three-quarters: Gladding (Wellington), Hunt, captain (Taranaki), Smith (Hawke's Bay). ' Five-eighths: Atkins and Lilburne (Wellington). Half-back: O'Connor (Wellington). Forwards: Moisley (Wellington), Ward, hooker (Canterbury), Coutts, Gunn and Yule (Wellington), Serra (Canterbury). Referee: Mr. V. M. Simpson (Wellington). It was reported to-day that Standeven, the Canterbury full-back, was unavailable and Wilson (ex-Mount Albert) will replace him.