FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20956, 9 September 1933, Page 17

FOOTBALL

——-♦- — RANFURLY SHIELD BULLER'S SOLID COMBINATION PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY'S GAME Because Buller has been beaten b, West Coast this year and Canter bur; had a comfortable win over Wes Coast, many are mistakenly thinkin, that Canterbury will have no difficult; in defending the Ranfurly Shield thi afternoon against Bullet's challenge '' The evidence indicates clearly tha Canterbury will be fully extended t win decisively. The Buller side i probably better balanced than that o West Coast and has an energetic ,in< fast forward pack which should pro vide as good football as has been scei on Lancaster Park this year. In three seasons up to the time o the Buiier -Canterbury match of las season Buller had won 21 matches 01 end, and West Coast took the Seddoi Shield from Buller by a narrow mar gin immediately on the return of th< latter from the hard game against Can terbury. This season 'West Cost re gisted Buller's challenge for the Sed don Shield, winning a stern tussle b: seven points to three. Many of thi spectators still claim that Buller scorec a try late in the game, but as it wa; among the crowd, which had en croached on the playing area, the ref eree was unable to see or allow it At any rate the encounter could wcl be described as "anybody's game,' and proved Buller's mettle. Unfortunately, injuries have mad* alterations to the visitors' back line necessary. Higgins, who playec i against Canterbury last year, broke a collar-bone a few weeks ago, anc D. J. Loader, the former Otago Uni versity and New Zealand Universitj five-eighths, was unable to secure th< necessary leave to make the trip. Th( selectors have rearranged the backs bringing E. Holder, an All Black anc South Island representative af las' year, in to second five-eighths, and N Lamont, who represented Buller ir 1930 and 1931, has been chosen a: I first five-eighths. C. Jones, who playec a wonderful game on the wing fo] Buller against Canterbury, will plaj at centre to-day. He has a lot ol pace, having performed with some suecess on the track. Individual Players. A. Graham, who played full-bach for Buller last year, has not beer chosen. W. Greer, who has made some bold showings for Buller thi: season, and who played representative Rugby League, is in his place Greer is reputed to be a very safe tackier. Graham has represented New Zealand at Association football. T. Connelly and J. Hill, both said to have speed and determintion, will be the wings. Hill, who is one of the best defensive players in tha visiting side, will be marking G. F. Hart, Jones, the centre, is a splendid kick. The half-back, A. Heid, played a splendid game last year in the shield challenge match. He is very quick, and a gallant defender. Buller's weakness last year was among the inside backs, and against siich a formidable combination as Canterbury's—Mullan, Hazelhurst, Mortlock, and Oliver—it is doubtful if it will be able to do a great deal better '¥&,'"*-, this match. One thing is certain, I \v» interbury will have to work harder ' for its openings than in the recent match with West Coast. The moving in of Holder to second five-eighths has given the inside backs more thrust and speed, but the All Black has never starred as a five-eighths. ~ Undoubtedly Buller's strength ~lies in its virile, fast, hard-working .forwards, and it is not likely that Canterbury will under-estimate its strength in that department. Last year the match with Buller was the Most willing of the season among the forwards, and' it was not until the last quarter of an hour of the game that Cnterbury gained the upper hand to win by 13 points to 0. A Virile Set of Forwards, The outstanding forward will probably be W. J. McNeight, who played for the South Island in last year's trials, and who made a fine impression by his display in Christchurch last year. McNeight has been vhe most consistent of the Buller pack this season and has a good reputation for hard rucking and loose work. One of Buller's other nominations for the South Island team this year is in the forwards— G. Orman. Orman is a hooker who is considered the best Buiier has produced.. If he is as good a specialist as the comment indicated Buller should have more than a fair share of the ball. The pack is a well-balanced one and uses the 3-4-1 formation, with the odd mah playing on the outside of the back row, where he has a better opportunity for spoiling play. The average weight is slightly more tnan 13 stone a man, but the weight is in the second row, to give the scrum greater power. Stewart, Gilsenan, and Robertson are forwards who should be prominent to-day. Yesterday morning the team had a practice run at Lancaster Park, but took training very easily. All members of the side for to-day are reported as fit and well. The manager of the team, Mr W. Craddock, said that the side was a solid and honest one, and although it was not overconfident it hoped to make the struggle a keen and even one. In the Canterbury team it is probable that the full-back, Nolan, will not be able to take the field because of the injury received last Saturday. Hart will probably play. The teams will be:— Buller. Full-back: W. Greer. Three-quarters: T. Connelly, C. Jones, i. Hill. Five-eighths: ,E. Holder, N. Lamont. Half-back: A. Reid. Forwards—Back row: C. Robertson; middle row: W. McNeight (captain), C. Jack, R. Gilsenan, J. Caldwell; front row: J. Stewart, G. Orman, R. Gardner. Emergencies—Backs: J. Simpson, A. Graham; forwards: E. Moreton, J. Shaw. Canterbury. Full-back: G. T. Nolan. Three-quarters: G. F. Hart, C. J. Oliver, N. Dunshea. Five-eighths: K. S. Mortlock, R. Hazelhurst. Half-back: T. F. Mullan. Forwards—Back row: A. H. Angrews; middle row: R. K. King, A. M. wtnell, G. J. Howell, J. E. Manchester; front row: A. Bowes, J. Wade, A. I- Cottrell (captain). *■ Emergencies—Backs:' L. Brown, F. T- J. French, C. H. McPhail, J. HatI Jprsley; forwards: E. Watkins, H. Milliken, J. G. Rankin. ; BULLER TEAM WELCOMED :" , BY SPORTSMEN ■ The Buller team was welcomed to Christchurch last evening by a large number of amateur sport, len who gathered in the Pioneer Sports Club's >. rooms. Mr R. C. Symes, a vice-presi- ** n * P* the club, presided and wel- • Co J} e< * th ® players. ?• Mr J. K. Moloney, chairman of the h entertainments committee of the Canf. totyiry Rugby Union, and Mr S. G. | Holland, who represented kindred f , sports, both extended a warm welj. come to the visitors. Mr Moloney & *Poke of the value of the true spirit t ? ?F ort in helping the world to live >,' lr i harmony. If there were more of <y-i'