RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26398, 17 April 1951, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

“PLAYERS OF THE YEAR ”

TWO BRITISH BACKS AND THREE N.Z. FORWARDS

(New Zealand Press Association) ' WELLINGTON, April 16. The “New Zealand Rugby Almanac" for 1951 has named two British Isles backs and three New Zealand forwards as the five players of the year. They are:—K.' J. Jones and J. W. Kyle (British Isles), and P. J. B. Crowley, L. R. Harvey, and R. A. White (New Zealand). The publication has named a New Zealand team which is bound to stimulate discussion, even argument. Six of the 15 players—J. B. Smith (named as captain), Peter Smith, R. A. Jarden, G. H. Perrin (first five-eighths), A. W. Blake, and E. H. Catlev—did hot play for New Zealand against the British Isles last season, and R. A. Roper Is placed on one wing instead of at centre.

In giving Jarden and Roper places ahead of P. Henderson and W. Meates. the almanac says: "Meates performed creditably both as centre for Otago and on the wing, but has not the requisite pace. Henderson is not quite up to the standard of Jarden in making his own play, and is not as versatile as Roper.” The almanac names A. J. Douglas (Bay of Plenty), M. R. O’Connell (Wanganui), A. R. Reid (Waikato), J. T. Graham (Waikato), and P. F. Jones (North Auckland) as the five most promising players of the year.

RUGBY LEAGUE

SCHOOLBOYS* DRAW Schoolboys’ matches for Saturday, April 21, are as follows: 9st Grade. —Chch v. Horn, Pap Dorn, No. 1, 10.30 a.m. (D. Smith); Lin v. Pap, Pap Dom, No. 2, 10.30 a.m. (A. Cox). 7st 71b Grade.—Pap v. Syd, Syd Park, 10.30 (N. Fisher); Chch, a bye. 6st 71b Grade.—Dall v. St. Jos, St. Jos, 10.30 (L. Blackler); Chch v. Horn, Horn, 10.30 (T. J. McKenzie); Pap v. Syd. Brad Pk, 10.30 (K. Griffiths); Lin v. Wool. Ath Pk, 10.30 (A. FaTquharson); Add, a bye. sst 71b Grade.—Dall A v. St. Jos A. St. Jos, 10 a.m. (L. Blackler); Dall B v. St. Jos B, St. Jos, 10 a.m. (K. McKenzie); Lin v. Wool, Ath Pk, 10 a.m. (F. Lees); Chch v. Syd A. Syd Pk. 10 a.m. (N. Fisner); Pap v. Syd B, Syd Pk, 10 a.m. (A. E. Clarke); Add v. Horn, Horn, 10 a.m. (J. McKenzie). sst Midgets.—Add v. Horn, Horn, 10 a.m. (J. Lloyd): Chch A v. Dall A, Avon Pk, 10.30 a.m. (R. Hill); Chch B v. Dall B, Avon Pk, 10.30 a.m. (H. Williams); Pap v. Syd A, Brad Pk, 10 a.m. (P. Griffiths); Lin v. Syd B, Brad Pk, 10 a.m. (K. Griffiths). sst, Fly-weights.—phch v. Dall, Avon Pk, 10 a.m. (R. Hill): Lin v. Wool, Atb Pk, 10 a.m. (T. Ockwell); Add v. Pap, Pap, 10 a.m. (D. Smith). Advt.