LAST MAN IN THE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 15

LAST MAN IN THE TEAM.

POPULAR CHOICE.

LEAGUE TOURISTS.

PROSPECTS IM AUSTRALIA.

NEW FACES HI CZXTB RANKS.

The most /discussed item of the week was the withdrawal of George Nepia, the renowned Maori full-back, from the New Zealand team chosen to go to Australia. Nepia has played very little football this season, and ' on his first appearance in Auckland, for the Manukau club team, he was obviously out of form. He shaped better when he made an appearance a few days later in a trial team, and although not the Nepia of old, there were occasional glimpses of his rare football ability, particularly in defence. Although there was much discussion caused over his selection, hopes were felt that he would play into form in Australia, where he has always been a, popular figure. His withdrawal from the team was due to family reasons.

The next. point that arose was _ the filling of his (place, and general satisfaction was expressed at the choiee of 3. Hemi. the Manukau full-back'. The real surprise wai that he was not in the; original selection. Hemi toured A-ustralia wsthJthe -Maori team in 193 a, in company with*Nepia and other well-known native pllyenii. He is playing his -third cltrb season in 'Auckland,: nnd is one of the*most spectacular players in the. game. He ha» not shown his superlative goal-kicking form of tw-o'i seasons back,, bet if he adds accuracy to

length while in Australia, he should be one of the most valuable members of the team.

There are hopes of New Zealand making a good showing in the big matches of the tour. The League standard in New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, has definitely improved during the past tWo seasons, and the play has been more on the lines shown .by some of the best teams which have visited the Dominion in other years. - --Hfy i''v i In open play the New Zealand forwards should m tit eh .any opposing six in . the Commonwealth, and they have two' specialists in Brodrick and Tetley for off the scrum work.

y . Sharp Attack. The Brimbje brothers ehould be able to give the New" Zealand team the sharp attacking service so necessary under Australian conditions, and W. Tittleton and R. Chase have; all .the ability to make play ,for their wings. Chase has a great eye for an opening, and is still improving. There is plenty of rpace on the New Zealand wings. All that they want is the ball., J : ' Two good teams have been chosen for the match on King's Birthday between the pakeha and Maori teams, and with reasonably good weather conditions for' the occasion the play should be brighf and spectacular.

Banham, the. player-coach from Sydney, lias been included on the pakeha side, and his clever constructive play should, be both useful and educative. In his play Banham habitually does the right thing, and does not overdo it. He is a good student of the game, and his unselfishniess is a lesson to others. . . *

The absence of the large nuihber of Auckland players with the Dominion team in Australia has given other players a chance.

- Duncan, who has been chosen at winff-three-quarter, represents a type that, should be encouraged. He is fart, heavy and determined in his running, while the inclusion of Fogarty in the forwards is recognition that Papakura have some player* worthy of consideration.

The Maori team includes in T. Chase and Birinui ' two players _ who were expected to be in the running for the New Zealand team. Wilson, the Manukau wing, has shown splendid form this season and is steadily improving. The club match which is arousing keen interest, is the meeting of Manukau and Newtorf," for the second time, as both are at the top of the table. When they meet Newton will be without Wilfred Brimble and McNeight, and Manukau will be without Hemi, R. Chase, Walter Brimble, Gault and Brodrick. Those seven players will be in Australia. Manukau are fortunate in being well off for /'reserve, players. Panapa, the North Auckland half-back of last season, is beginning to develop, Craig, a JTelson representative forward, is available; also Nicholas, an inside back, who was th~ captain of the Te Autc College teafn a few seasons back; . y- '-'w- " .•y ; .-v---.-v dub Mstdi Sarprts*. Tlie club matches on Saturday did not reach spectacular "heights, although m the average case there were keen and hard contests. It came ai ,a surprise iosee Richmond have ntch an easy, win over Mount Albert. As was expected, the forwards "wei» well matched far jiet - scrums, with a .duel all day long for possession between Leatherbarrow and Satherley. Richmond took a long while to settle doyn, but whefa they resorted to team-

play, with deep, well-delivered passing anil intensive backing up, the game swung very mucfi'in Richmond's favour. There were times when, after the Richmond backs had done their share, the forwards, with usually Tetley standing out. swept up in fan formation to join in the movement, and some of the tries that came gave the opposition no chance.

There was neither rhythm nor cohesion in the'attacking work of the Mount Albert inside backs. It was unit play most of the time, with a lack of sharp, concentrated combination.

Giving much their best display of the season. City pushed Mn-'.'.kau hard, and the latter had to rr.r.ke a series of hard, concentrated tffr ;.s to finish on the right of thinf-. Banham made his debut with- the backs, and added tone and a tonic cHect to the play in general.

Paf:.l*ura continue to make valiant bids for *1 win, and in their match with Marist were .only three points down at the end. There, evidence of more experience on the Marist side, and they are a difficult team at any time to defeat. The real strength of Papakura lies in their forwards, who play a tireless game in the close and open, but there is still considerable room for improvement in their back play-.

V The playing of. a match at Devonport was;'appreciated by Shore supporters. Ponsonby gave a good exposition of the code to win by 16 points to 7. Riley, in the centre, gave a mercurial display. He was one of the certainties for the New Zealand team had he been available.

MANAGEMENT OF KANGAROOS

~ THREE OFFICIALS CENSURED.

SYDNEY, May 30.

Messrs. H. Sunderland and R. E. Savage, managers of the Kangaroo League team which toured England last season, and the secretary of the Board of Control, Mr. H. R. Miller, were censured by a meeting of the Australian Rugby League Board of Control as the result of certain incidents arid disputes during the tour. The chief , ciflbeee was the refusal of the managers to conclude the tour when ordered to do soj iT Regret was expressed that certain unauthorised cables and correspondence had passed • between Mr. Miller and the managers. HOW DO THE BETS STAND ? » ! Several inquiries have been made through the "Star" as. to the positions of bets made on. the Riehmond-North Shore game three weeks ago. Richmond won by a point, 20—19, but a replay has been jOrdeVed. • Taking as an analagous case the rerunning of a" horee race the practice is for afll bets to stand until the rerun. Wagers on the Carlaw Park game should accordingly "be determined by the replav; —Sports Ed. v REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. At the>, weekly meeting of the Auckland' Rugby League Referees' ■ Association last' evening,' Mr. Geo. MeCowatt. presided in tlie absence of Mr. L; E..8u11. .. : The attention ox the junior management board is" to be drawn to the habit of junior teams, waiting for a match, encroaching on " the in-goal area while other teams are playing. ' ' . The ex-international Jack Jones, recently of Northland, was balloted for and i admitted to membership* 1