LEAGUE FIXTURE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 217, 13 September 1944, Page 9

LEAGUE FIXTURE

INTER-ISLAND GAME

NEW FACES AT CARLAW PARK

The resumption of the Rugby League No l'th v. South Island contests at Carlaw Park on Saturday is a keenly anticipated diversion in the code locally. There has not been a meeting of the pick of players from the two Islands, representing the cream of the Dominion, since 1939. That year was the occasion of the selection of the New Zealand Kiwi team which started a tour in England and terminated it after the second game, when war was declared. 11l the four winter seasons of war the code has not slipped back to any extent, and the teams selected for Saturday promise to reveal a high standard, with an infusion of much new talent. The first North v. South Island match was played in 1925, when North won by 27 points to 9. Since then South Island has won only once, 1929 (22—13), and played a drawn game the following year (22-all). The advantages in many ways, of course, have been with the North Island, seeing the great strength of the game in Auckland. The Visiting Backs The team chosen to represent the South Island on Saturday is reported to be a strong one, with a set of forwards heavier than the North pack. Among the Southern backs chosen, C. Davison (13.7) is ho stranger to Caiiaw Park, as he was one of the Kiwi team to visit England In 1939. He has plenty of speed, and is an excellent place kick. Although in the veteran stage, the Canterbury winger still retains his good form. The visit of the Blackball team to Auckland last fear

introduced a brilliant flve-eighth in C. Mountford (11.5), and the West. Coast captain is perhaps the best attacking back seen for many years. He has plenty of experience, and followers of the code can expect some high-class football from Mountford. The full-back, R. Nuttall (12.C), also of West Coast, Is a Bound player, a splendid tackier, and powerful kick. L. Bench, the centre, from Canterbury (12.6), is one of the most improved players in the team and is clever on attack, being a straight runner, with an elusive swerve. J. Forrest (10.6), wing-tliree-quarter, and M. Ord, half-back (10.6), both played excellent games :"or Blackball last year, and were well performed West Coast players in the Rugby code. E. Lewis, Canterbury (11.4), is a new player to Auckland. A Heavy Pack The South Island forwards are mostly new to local followers, and it is here the North may find strong opposition. Two forwards over 16 stone are included, C. Newton, front row, and J. Neale, back row, both of Canterbury. They weigh 16.6 each. Neale is a prolific scoring forward. J. Williams, West Coast (15.0), has a good reputation as a front row forward, and has representative Rugby honours to his credit, while one of the best forwards Canterbury has produced since Rex King is P. Smith (1-1.5), one of the second row players. It only requires T. Wilson, Canterbury, to prove a successful hooker and the South Island forwards will test, and perhaps account for, the more experienced of the North vanguard. The majority of the North Island players are well known at Carlaw Park and many expect the North backs to prove too speedy and clever for the visitors. The inside players, L. Allan, half, and O. Brooks, five-eighth, both South Auckland, have been associated in partnership for some seasons, and much will depend upon their ability to open up play for the fast local three-quarters, R. McGregor, R. Nurse and P. Salaia. All of the other backs are Aucklanders. It is reported that H. Mataira may not be available in the pack, in which the only player from outside Auckland is G. Moyes (South Auckland). The South Island team will arrive tomorrow morning, and will practice at Carlaw Park in the afternoon. They will be welcomed at the Auckland Rugby League rooms in the evening. The manager is Mr. G. Oakley, of the West Coast.