TRIAL MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 176, 27 July 1937, Page 14

TRIAL MATCH.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

KANGAROO PREPARATIONS.

PROBABLES V. POSSIBLES.

In view of the approaching matches against the Australian team, a trial match between Probables and Possibles will be played at Carlaw Park to-morrow afternoon. The selectorb, Messrs. H. Avery and A. T. McClymont, have chosen the following teams:— Possibles. Full-back.—J. Hemi (Manukau). Three-quarters.—J. Rata (City), A. Kay (Ponsonby), L. Schultz (Mount Albert). Five-eighths.—W. Tittleton (Richmond), N. Bickerton (Richmond). Half-back. —H. Halloran (Ponsonby). Forwards. —W. Telford (Richmond), B. Leathepbarrow (Mount Albert), A. Gault (Manukau), J. Brodrick (Manukau), F. Pickrang (Ponsonby), S. Watene (Manukau). Probables. Full-back.—Glover (Marist). Three-quarters.—C. H. Davison (Christchurch), N. Kiely (West Coast), A. Beban (West Coast). - Five-eighths.—R. Chase (Manukau), T. Chase (Manukau). Half-back. —Mahima (Manukau). I Forwards.—J. Cootes (Wellington), W.' Glynn (West Coast), J. Breed (Marist), E. McLeod (Richmond), C. Berry (Wellington), E. Morgan (Ponsonby). Reserves for both teams: —Forwards: H. Mataira (City), Anderson (Marist). Backs: Powell (Richmond), McCallum (Mount Albert). Several of the leading players are not available for to-morrow, including B. Riley, of Ponsonby, who was injured last Saturday, and J. Satherley, the Richmond forward. Two Strong Teams. In the teams chosen for the trial the selectors have given some of the younger players an opportunity to prove themselves. A feature of the Probables team is that the Manukau inside backs, who

have teamed well in recent games, have been kept together, and the three-quarter line will comprise three of the leading South Island players who should be accustomed to playing together. In this team the forwards will include two of the leading Wellington players, J. Cootes and C. Berry, also W. Glynn, the West Coast forward, who has previously played with distinction at Carlaw Park.

The Possible team on paper is a particularly strong one, and it will be interesting to see how the Chase brothers compare with the Richmond five-eighths, Bickerton and W. Tittleton. The three-quarters are speedy and thrustful and should be well served with Halloran at half-back. Hemi should prove a valuable last line of defence. The forwards have brains and brawn, and they are all proved players.

The form shown in the match should be a guide to the selectors in choosing the New Zealand teams to be pitted against the Australian team, which is to appear at Carlaw Park on August 7 and 14. They are due to arrive at Auckland on August 4, and will play their opening match on the following Saturday. On August 11 they will meet a Maori team, which should prove one of the most attractive matches of the series in view of the many fine players who will be available for selection. The Australians will leave for England immediately after their final match in Auckland.

The approaching Test matches will decide the possession of the trans-Tasman Cup donated by Mr. R. O. Courtney, of Christchurch, and at present held by Australia.