RUGBY FOOTBALL. LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 227, 25 September 1935, Page 18

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

RANFURLY SHIELD. SUCCESSFUL OTAGO TEAM. MANY CONGRATULATIONS. (liy Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUNEDIN, this day. The Otago Rugby Union has before it many invitations for the winners of the Ranfurly Shield to attend various functions. The union itself will tender the players an official reception. The shield will be displayed at the Soccer match between Canterbury and Otago next Saturday. The union has received letters and over eighty telegrams of congratulation from all over New Zealand. A framed photograph of the team is to be presented to each player as a memento of Otago's first win in the shield contest. A strong protest was made by members of the union against the circulation of what were described as "scurrilous rumours" to account for the omission of H. Simon, captain of the Otago team, from the side which won the shield. Mr. D. M. Stuart, one of the managers of the team, said that, although one as a rule ignored rumours, it was due to Simon that an emphatic denial should be given to scurrilous rumours which were being heard in the city. Simon's conduct throughout the tour was exemplary.

JUNIOR MANAGEMENT. MEETING OF BOARD. A decision to play the fourth grade matches postponed from September 14 was reached at a meeting last evening of the junior management board of the Auckland Rugby Union. This will bring the competition up to the final stages. The Manukau intermediate and fifth grade tea us were granted permission to travel to Tauranga and Waihi respectively. The fourth grade team of the same club was granted an application to play the Frankton representatives at Onehunga. An application from the Ponsonby fifth grade team for permission to travel to Pukukohe was granted. The following ground officials were appointed for next Saturday:—Stadium, Mr. A. Tilly; Gribble-llirst Park, Mr. L. Bridgens; Onehunga, Mr. R. J. Williams.

SCHOOLS' COMPETITIONS,

The following is tlie draw for the final of the inter-group championships in the A.P.S.R.U. competitions. Tlio games are to be played ut the Domain on Friday:— Seniors: Kemuera v. Vermont Street, 4 p.m. (Mr. Robertson). Intermediates: Kowhai v. Winner Royal Oak-Northcote, 3.15 p.m. (Mr. .1. Salt). Juniors: Onehnnga v. Owairaka, 3.10 p.m. (Mr. Robertson).

FRANKLIN V. PUKEKOHE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TUAKAU, Tuesday. The following players have been chosen to represent the Franklin Rugby Union in tlie -Massey Cup match at Tuakau on Saturday:—Full-back, I*. Kewish (Tuakau) ; three-quarters, Xj. Wright (I'ukckawa), 11. Passau (Onewhero), J. Moore (Te Kolianga) ; five-eighths, A. Cathcart (Onewhero), .1. Rata (Te Kohungn) ; half. \V. Bnrnaby (Tuakau) ; forwards, \V. Standish (Onewiiero), G, Cathcart (Tuakau), (»• Uyer (Onewhero), R. Skiiton (Itombav), I'. I'roctor (Boinlmy), Te Whetti (Te Kolianga), C. Wilson (Bombay), T. JlcGuire (Pukekawa). Reserves: Backs, G Hewitt (Bombay), O. Lindberg (I'ukekawa) ; forwards, G. Wiiiskey (To Kolianga), O. Cooney (Tuakau).

VISIT OF AUSTRALIA. INTEREST IX FIRST TEST. The council of the New Zealand Rugby League is receiving inquiries about the first Test between Australia and New Zealand from all over the North Island and there are strong indications that C'arlaw Park on Saturday will have its record attendance in years.

The present Kangaroos constitute tin: second Australian team to visit the Dominion, other teams here having been State or club sides. The first Australian team in 3910 won the first Test at Wei lington 44—21, lost the second at Christ church 10—23 and won the third at Auck land Domain before 21,000 people 34 —23 A fourth Test was won 32—2 by the visi tors, who, it is interesting to recall, beat Auckland 32—8.

Auckland's good performance on Saturday, in addition to giving encouragement to the combined team playing at Wellington this afternoon, has spurred New Zealand ambitions in regard to the Test matches next Saturday, the following Wednesday (October 2) and Saturday (October 5). These internationals will decide the "Ashes" and first possession ot the Courtney Goodwill Cup, recently presented by Mr. Roy O. Courtney, a New Zealander, whose business takes him a good deal to the Commonwealth. This beautiful trophy is being exhibited in a shop window of Messrs. Hugh Wright, Limited, and next week will be on view at Messrs. George Court and Sons in Karangahape Road.

The New Zealand team will be strengthened on Saturday, particularly in the forward division, and is expected to be in fine condition for what should be a great contest. The Australian side is unlikely to be much changed from that seen ou Saturday.

JUNIOR MANAGEMENT. STALLARD CUP FINAL. At tlie mooting of the junior management committee of tlie Auckland Rugby League last evening, Mr. D. Wilkie presiding, it was reported that the New Zealand Council had accepted the Stallanl Cup final between Marist Old Boys and City Rovers reserves as the immediate curtain-raiser to the first Tost match on Saturday. Two school matchcs will precede.

An application by Ngaruawahia Club to play a junior side against a third grade town team as a curtain-raiser to the Australian team was referred to the ground committee.

Ponsonby were congratulated upon winning the third grade championship and knock-out, and Richmond sixths the knock-out.

Glenora and City fourth grade teams were recommended as a curtain-raiser for the third Test on Saturday week.

Owing to a shortage of grounds it was reported to be impossible to entertain visits from Huntly to meet third and fifth grade teams.