RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 21

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH SOUTH CANTERBURY CONFIDENT RANKIN NOT PLAYING FOR CANTERBURY South Canterbury supporters will attend Lancaster Park in force this afternoon, when the South Canterbury Rugby representatives will attempt to wrest the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury. South Canterbury is very confident that its team will make a magnificent showing and many expect that Canterbury will be defeated. On the other hand, Canterbury has, even ■with several defections because of injuries, one of the best balanced sides of recent years, and the shield will be sternly defended. It should be the best match of the year. The South Canterbury team has not been defeated this season, and has beaten both. Otago and Southland handsomely. This is some indication of the form that may be expected of the visitors. South Canterbury's record is as follows: v. Buller, won 33-12. v. Southland, won 30-17. V. North Otago, won 19-6. v. Otago, won 18-12. V. Ashburton, won 55-13. A Formidable Record Not much notice can be taken of the last result given, as Ashburton had an extremely weak team in the field. The South Canterbury team has a great blend* of youth and experience, and includes many players who have had big game experience in recent years. The best known of these are Morrison, three-quarters, G. Gafteney, five-eighths, and G. Giddings, forward. All of them played a prominent part in the recent All Black trials. The forwards are light but very fast, and give great support to the backs on attack and defence. As will be gathered from the result of the matches earlier this year the team plays very fast, open football, and has many splendid scoring men. Schoolboy at Fall-back The full-back, N. Ford, will not be playing because of an injury to his ankle, which failed to stand up to practice yesterday, and his place will be taken by a schoolboy, F. Blue, who is 17 years of age. Blue is one of the most prominent players in the Timaru Boys' High School team, but this will be his first big representative match. He has not previously played as a fullback. R. King, the half-back, is the captain of the team. In the forwards J. Strang will be playing, a brother of A. Strang, who was an All Black

in. 1928 and toured South Africa. The backs have great pace, and the feature of their play in other matches has been their combination and admirable backing-up.

Canterbury Defections

The Canterbury team is being steadily depleted by injuries. G. Parsons has not played for some weeks. J. Poison will not play this week, but is expected to be fit for other representative games. J. G v Rankin has a knee complication from an injury received recently, which will keep him out of the team to-day and probably for the remainder of the season. This will be a very serious loss to the forwards. N. Schluter will take his place to-day. , !.., i, The teams, are as follows: " Sontb Canterbury

Full-back—F. Blue. Three-quarters—L. Martyn, T. Morrison, E. Ryan. Five-eighths—C. Cartwright, G. Gaffaney.

Half-back—G. King. Forwards—Front row: D. O'Sullivan, T. Gunn, H. Higginbottom. Second row: J. Strang, W. Robertson, F. Thomson, G. Giddings. Back row: E. Lee.

Emergencies—Backs: P. Lundy, N. Ford. Forwards: R. Duncan, R. Cliddon.

Canterbury * Full-back—l. Behrns. Three-quarters—R. Brown, C. H. McPhail, N. Dunshea. Five-eighths—J. Gaskin, K. S. Mortlock. Half-back—J. J. McAußffe. Forwards—Front row: O. Hattersley, R. Thompson, R. R. Innes. Second row: H. Deavoll, W. Sweeney, G. J. Howell, G. W. Thompson.

Back row.: N. Schluter. . Emergencies—Backs: S. G. Henry, L. Brown. Forwards: H. Milliken, F. J. Wilson.

BANDS COMING FROM TIMARU The Timaru Municipal Band and the Timaru Highland Pipe Band will travel by the excursion train, which will, leave Timaru at 9.5 a.m. to-day for Christchurch with supporters of the South Canterbury team, which will play against Canterbury at Lancaster Park this afternon. Both bands will probably play through the streets, proceeding from the railway station, and it is intended that the pipe band shall play the challengers on to the field, also, giving a drum-major's display at the interval. SPORTSMEN'S WELCOME Representatives of all branches of sport in Christchurch gathered in the lounge of the Pioneer Sports Club last evening to welcome the South Canterbury Rugby team to the city for its match with Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield to-day. Mr C. H. Taylor, president of the club, presided. He announced that both the South Canterbury team and the Association football representative team from Otago, playing Canterbury to-day, had been made honorary members of the Pioneer Club during their stay in the city.

On behalf of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Dr. W. S. Seed, its president, welcomed the South Canterbury team. He said that the relationships between the Canterbury and South Canterbury unions had been free from unpleasantness at all times.

The welcome from kindred sports was extended by Mr A. F. Ronaldson, president of the Canterbury Bowling Centre, and himself a Rugby referee. The manager of the South Canterbury team, Mr A. K. Angland, and its captain, Mr G. King, replied to the welcome. Mr Angland said South Canterbury hoped to win the shield. If it was successful, its only wish was that it would be as modest as a champion as Canterbury had been throughout the various periods it, had held the shield. Songs were sung by Mr D. McGill and Mr N. Down. SOUTHLAND BEATS TARANAKI SUPERIORITY OF FORWARDS (P2ESS ASSOCIATION TEI.EORAM.) STRATFORD, September 13. The touring Southland Rugby team defeated Taranaki by 19 points (four tries, a penalty, and a field goal) fo 14 (four tries and a conversion). I The superiority of the Southland forwards carried the day. They were extremely heavy, full of fire, and pushed with vim. They were always up with the play, scoring two of the four tries and making the other two possible. In comparison the Taranaki pack was never in the picture, with the exception of Gargan. The Taranaki backs played brilliantly at times. All the tries were the result of combined rearguard movements that paralysed the Southland defence. The backs, however, had no assistance from the forwards, who let the nippy Southland men through time after time. . As an attacking combination Southland were not Taranaki's equal, but the backs knew their play well, passed surely, and stopped dangerous Taranaki passing rushes at least half a dozen times with sure defence when any slip would have meant a try. They lacked the speed of the opposition, but against the weak tackling which they met their efforts were bound to succeed, and always there were some Southland forwards ready to carry on against the disorganised defence. McLennan, Hamilton, and Watson impressed among a line of brilliant individualists. Edwards often penetrated for Taranaki, and with Sangster was responsible for the backs' flashing rushes. Metcalfe was the outstanding forward and was ably supported by Maftingley and Gait.

Scoring in the first half continually changed the leading positions. Taranaki opened with a sensational tryafter an end-to-end movement initiated by Sullivan. 1 Then Nesbit kicked a penalty. Taranaki were next to score, i but Southland took the lead by scoring a try, which was awarded to Mattingley, followed by a potted goal by Purdue. Both teams scored again before the spell ended, when the visitors led 13-11. McLennan increased the lead by a try from the ruck. Ross scored for Taranaki, but Southland then established a lead which they held to the end of the game, Watson scoring after a splendid opening made by Hamilton.

' ALL BLACKS CONFIDENT

NEWSPAPERS CONSIDER SIDE VERY STRONG

TEAM FOR MATCH TO-DAY

(VJHTED PBBSS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIQHT.)

(Received September 13, 9.10 p.m.)

LONDON, September 13,

The All Blacks are confident of victory at Devonport. The match is regarded as the curtain-raiser to the season, and is one in which the All Blacks are unlikely to be extended. The newspapers consider the team very strong. Mr V. R. Meredith (manager) declined to say how the forwards would pack. The "News-Chronicle" considers whatever plan the All Blacks adopt, they will be formidable, and they should be supreme at least in the line-outs.

The team practised strenuously on the velvety turf at Paignton. Oliver played with bare feet and showed a rare turn of speed. Some critics were unimpressed with the forwards, and they declare that some attempts at wheeling missed the fundamental principles. The newspapers expect the All Blacks to play on traditional lines. They are expected to keep the ball moving with sharp hand-to-hand passing, to be capable of sudden bursts of extra pace, and to run straight. West Country people have taken the team to their hearts, and the practices have been largely attended. The team for the match against Devon and Cornwall on Saturday will be:— Full-back: G. Gilbert. Three-quarters: G. F. Hart, C. J. Oliver, N. Ball. Five-eighths: T. H. C. Caughey, J. R. Page. Half-back: M. Corner.

Forwards H. F. McLean, J. E. Manchester, R. King, S. T. Reid, A. Mahoney, J. Hore, W. E. Hadley, A. Lambourn. An experiment Is being made in placing Caughey at second five-eighths. EXPERIMENT WITH INSIDE BACKS POSSIBLE UNFAIRNESS TO REGULAR FIVE-EIGHTHS [By THANE 3 The All Black team chosen for the first match of the tour to-day contains one first-class surprise—the selection of T. H. C. Caughey as second fiveeighths. If such an experiment had been made after the regular fiveeighths had been given a fair "trial some different construction might be placed on this rather startling experiment, but on the face of it it appears strange that at the opening of a tour men chosen as five-eighths should bo passed over in favour of the team's reserve centre three-quarter. In the trial matches before the team was chosen for this tour it was obvious that Oliver, who is vice-captain of the All Blacks, was a much superior; centre to Caughey, and this early move to place Caughey in the team in a position other than centre indicates that the manager, who is sole selector, is endeavouring to discover whether Caughey can be fitted in as a five-eighths when Oliver is given precedence at centre. To say that such a move is experimental is putting it mildly—but that is not to say that it will not be successful. For instance. Tindill, of Wellington, one of the five-eighths taken on the trip, was a half-back until the final trials matches in Wellington. He was given a chance as a five-eighths, and proved a "find." There is a sharp difference in this instance, however. Caughey has become the principal figure in an experiment which appears to be a little unfair to at least two other members of. the team—Solomon and Griffiths — who are regular five-eighths, and who have not shown that their form is so poor or disappointing that an experiment is needed. Caughey has never impressed as a five-eighth type. He does not relish the close type of play that five-eighths regularly encounter on defence, and he has a habit of running diagonally, which would be most disconcerting if executed from an inside position. In Australia with the All Blacks Oliver was played as a second five-eighths inside Caughey, and for several years South Island and New Zealand selectors have tried to play Oliver as a fiveeighths. Oliver has played some fair games at second five-eighths, but both his game and that of Caughey are unsuited to the five-eighths line. The three-quarter line of Hart, Oliver, and Ball is probably the best available so early in the tour, but it would not be surprising to see either Brown or Mitchell develop into win?s capable of taking their place in the international matches.

Possible Scrum Formation

It is interesting to notice that Mr Meredith announces that he will not state what scrum formation the team will adopt. .This suggests that Mr Meredith anticipates making experiments with the scrum also. Tne most general scrum formations m England to-day are the three-four-one and the three-three-two. The former favourite, the three-two-three, has lost its appeal to many of the clubs, although it is definitely better fnan the three-four-one for wheeling. Naturally, English watchers have noticed that the All Blacks' wheeling has been rather poorer than that to which they are used. The wheeling of the scrum is a much more regular forward strategy in England than it is in New Zealand. Hore, Hadley, and Lambourn form a front row which has battled through many an All Black encounter in the past, taking the honours, and it appears that early concentration on securing a fair share of the ball from the set scrums is to be made. Although the formation is not announced, it appears probable that Reid and King will be the locks, Manchester and Mahoney the side row men, and McLean the loose forward in the back row.

MATCHES IN FRANCE POSSIBLE (united pebss association—copyright.) PARIS, September 12. The All Blacks have agreed to play a number of matches against French teams, provided the English Federation resumes relations with France The dispute with France arose from allegations that Rugby in France was not free from professionalism. Considering the charges substantiated, the "English Federation decided that France could no longer participate in the annual international fixtures, which are now between Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland. When the All Blacks' itinerary was first- announced the French Rugby Federation expressed a desire to obtain a removal of the English ban to enable it to play matches against the All Blacks. Last month the French Federation supported the expression of that desire by promising to investigate t.h-»cha"~-■= which led to the English ban. The 1924-25 All Blacks played two maters in France, one against the French international team and one against a Parish fifteen. The All Blacjts bsat France by 30 points to 6, and Paris by 37 points to 8. If matches .were arranged this time it would be surprising to find more three .matches played in France. The point is very interesting as it is debatable whether the English ruling extends to the dominions,..

NORTH ISLAND TEAM AUCKLAND NOMINATIONS (passs issooutioh . rusaßAH.s AUCKLAND, September 13. Auckland nominations for the North Island Rugby team are:—Anderson, Bond, R. G. Bush, Butler, R. Frankham, and F. Solomon. NEW BRIGHTON METHODIST V. ST. FAITH'S The annual Kugby football match between the New Brighton Methodist and Anglican Young Men's Clubs will be played this afternoon at the Kawhiti Domain, at 2.4S p.m. The challenge cup is at present held by Anglican. The following team will represent Methodist:—A. Cockle; K. Bendall, F. Wayman, J. Roberts; A. Wayman, N. Fisher; N. Dean; C. Skinner, R. Britten, E. Scott, R. Hooker, R. Pepperell, L. Hurlson, H. Leadley, D. Gibson. Emergencies: R. Carson and J. Haines. The Anglican team will be selected from the following:— M. McCree, I. Pockson, R. Watson, C. Seaward, B. Napper, A. Aynsley, N. Seaward, H. Rainey, S. Besley, S. Wroth, F. Webb, G. Wear, P. Warner, S. Mitchell, B. Rice, F. Heald, G. Thompson, R. Fitchett. KUGBY LEAGUE CANTERBURY TO PLAY AUCKLAND FAST REPRESENTATIVE GAME EXPECTED TO-DAY The long-anticipated clash between the Auckland Rugby League team and Canterbury will take place to-day, and everything points to the game being the best seen in Christchurch for many years. The Auckland team has a wealth of talent, which includes the well-known A. E. Cooke, who will take his place as full-back. Lou Brown, New Zealand winger is in great form, and so far on the tour has scored eight tries. His play is stated to have delighted the crowds in Wellington and Greymouth. W. Hassan, the half, is no stranger to Monica Park, having played in the New Zealand side there against the Englishmen in 1932. He is playing his best football this year. The forwards include Lou Hurt, stated to be the fastest forward in the game to-day, Cliff Satherley, the best tight forward in the North Island, and W. Tetley, who is described as the greatest break-away forward the code has produced. The Canterbury team, however, is a well-balanced one. As eight of its players were in the recent South Island team they have a good idea of the type of football required to beat the Aucklanders, and J. Amos is quietly confident that his team will rise to the occasion.

There will be two early games at the park, the first starting at 1 p.m., while at half-time a seven-a-side game played by midgets will take place. The St. Joseph's Boys' Band will also be in attendance. There will be a frequent tram service to Monica Park, where the match will be played.

I TEAMS FOR /TO-DAY NEW BRIGHTON CLUB Teams for to-day will bo picked from the following: Juniors v. Waimairi, at Burwood Park—.T. Downs, P. Wilde, G. Price, R. Crawford, P. Hol'and, R. Wilde, E. Stevens, J. Armstrong, S. Thompson, E. Thompson, H. Wilkins, G. Smith, C. Wilkins, E. Toner, C. Roberts, A. Wakefield, G. Fisher. Players aro requested to be on the bridge at 1.45 p.m. ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE MATCH TO-DAY CANTERBURY V. OTAGO The representative Association football match between Canterbury and Otago should attract a large crowd of Association supporters to English Park this afternoon. This is the first time Canterbury has played Otago since 1933, when Otago won by three goals to one in a match for the Football Association's trophy. The Otago team playing to-day is a young, fast side capable of brilliant team-work and strong attack. Canterbury is gradually moulding a solid side, too, and the match should be well worth seeing. In 1933, Otago won by three goals to one, but many judges consider that Canterbury will be able to reverse the nosition on this occasion. This match will be for the Jones Cup. In the Otago team are two New Zealand representatives—H. Balk and A. Stenhouse. The former is a brilliant forward, and the latter centre-half. The Canterbury forward line is young and fast, and should be able to press home any attacks initiated, so that the game, should be very evenly contested. The teams are:— Canterbury—M. Mitchell (captain); S. Cawtheray, A. McMillan; M. Gordon, A. Sutherland, A. Ellis; F. Craggs, G. Smith, R. Pattinson, E. Ellis, J. Souter. Otago—L. Holden; G.. Taylor, J. Pickerill; A. Stenhouse, A. Brown, A. Sutherland, J. Truesdale; L. Smith, G. Henderson, H. Balk (captain), W. Rogers, Dalziel. One to be omitted.