RUGBY CLASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 156, 3 July 1936, Page 8

RUGBY CLASH.

TO-MORROWS MATCH.

AUCKLAND AND TARANAKI.

CHANGES IN HOME SIDE

With two victories to their credit over Waikato so far this season, Auckland's Rugby representatives play their third match against Taranaki at Eden Park to-morrow. Given a fine day, the match is expected to provide a spectacular clash between the old rivalf, with a real battle for possession of the ball. The Taranaki team, which arrives in Auckland this evening, has won a reputation for its magnificent forward play. Their record this season shows that their opposition to-morrow will be a real test for Auckland who, later in the season, will tour South in quest of the Kanfurl v Shield. After controlling the greater part of their match against Wel-fiii"-ton on June 3, Taranaki were narrowly beaten bv a lightning field-goal by ]•]. W. Tindill, the Wellington All Black. Last week they beat Wanganui at New Plymouth. Teams chosen for to-morrow's match are: — Taranaki. (Amber-and-black.) Full-back: A. Collins (Clifton.) Three-quarters: J. Ford (New Plymouth Old Boys), J. Sullivan (Tukapa), E. Smith (Athletic). Five-eighths: W. Dymond (Hawera), G. Sangster (Clifton). Half-back: C. Sangster (Stratford). Back row: H." McNeile (Hawera). Middle row: W. Young (Inglewood), Ruakere (Opunake), R. Clarke (Stratford), R. Young (Stratford). Front row: Armstrong (Clifton), F. Gargan (Kaponga), G. Fowler (Clifton). Reserves: Back, C. Dowdle (Hawera), G. Surgenor (Waimate); forward, Ruakere (Tukapa). Auckland. (Blue-and-white.) Full-back: A. Beyer (Otaliuhu). Three-quarters: J. Dick (Grafton), L. Cooney (Marist), A. Fletcher (Grammar). _ i Five-eighths: B. Killeen (Grafton), D. Solomon (Ponsonby). , . Half-back: W. Frankliam (Ponsonby). Forwards. —Front row: A. Brown (Grammar), A. Mcßeatli (Grammar), W. Cooper (Technical). _ ~ . Second row: H. F. McLean (Grafton), A. Knight (Grammar). J. Butler (Marist), R. Anderson (Grafton). Back row: F. Solomon (Ponsonby). Reserves: Backs, E. Moyle (Otahuhu), L. Curtr.vne (Marist), K. Moses (Ponsonby); forwards, R. Thomas (University)', L. Drake (University), W. Carson (Ponsonby). . With the knowledge that their pack is about half a stone heavier than Taranaki, Auckland are confident of winning possession from set scrums. The Auckland pack averages 14st, and their opponents 13st 71b. In recent years the Taranaki back line has not been regarded as a particularly strong attacking machine, and most of their matches have been won by the fiery play of their forwards. On this occasion better and brighter things are expected from the Taranaki backs, and it will be interesting to see how they measure up with the speed of the Aucklanders. " Given a reasonable share of the ball, the Auckland back line should be fast enough and clever enough to carry the day, despite the fact that Taranaki have been victorious in the last two years—by 31 points to 29 last year, and 28 points to 15. the previous season at Eden Park. Taranaki's victory on the latter occasion was a notable one, for Auckland had just returned from Hawke's Bay, where Uhey won the Ranfurly Shield. Auckland Changes. No matter how confident Auckland are of success in to-morrow's match, the forwards will need to show a transformation of their exhibition against Waikato on. the King's Birthday. There will need to he less shining and more honest effort. Changes made in the Auckland back team should be for the better. On the sheer. brilliance of his performance last Saturday Cooney, the Marist second five-eighth, forced ihimself into the Auckland team, and, with the experience of D. ScSlomon, and the dazzling play "of Killeen inside him, he should be one of the most dangerous backs on the field.

Members of the Taranaki team, from full-back to forwards, with their performances, are:—

A. Collins (list 101b)„ represented New Zealand in Australia 1032 and 1934. J. Ford (10.12), Taranaki rep. first time last year. Playing well, swerving run, fast. J. Sullivan (10.7), centre, fast, young,

track man, previously rep. Taranaki, nominated N.I. last year. E. Smith (11.1), young, fast, first year, crack track man. Dymond (10.2), nippy, quick in movement, half last year. G. Sangster (12.3), solid, good defence. C. Sangster (10.4), solid.

McNeils (13.2), good loose forward, can take heavy stuff as well, rep. Wellington last year. W. Young (13.10), represented' Taranaki on many occasions, solid, versa rile pack man. 0. Ruakere (14.7), lock, one of heaviest of pack, but fast, good line out. R. Clarke (14.10), All Black, 1032, coming back to good form, solid tight man. R. Young (13.8), represented Taranaki

previously, good line-out man. J. Armstrong (13.2), solid front row forward, wet or dry. Gargan (12.4), represented North Island, captain, small bundle of energy, great leader, good hooker. Fowler (13.10), front row forward, heavy and fast.