RUGBY FOOTBALL WELLINGTON GAME

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27736, 13 August 1955, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL WELLINGTON GAME

R. A. Jarden May Not Play

CANTERBURY TEAM STRENGTHENED (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 12. The Wellington and AU Black wing three-quarters, R. A. Jarden, might not be able to play against Canterbury tomorrow. This was announced by the convener of the Wellington Rugby selection committee (Mr C. G. Gibbons) this afternoon. Jarden slightly twisted a leg towards the end of the game against Wairarapa-Bush on Wednesday and his muscles have since been sore. He could not run today, but entertained some hopes that the trouble - would disappear as quickly as it had come. Expert advice was that Jarden should be fully recovered by Monday, if not Sunday, but he will- not jeopardise his test prospects by playing tomorrow if the injury is still troublesome. If he does not play his place may be taken by R. W. Smith (Petone). _ „ . A slight injury suffered by K. C. Stuart in a club match last Saturday wiU keep him out of the Canterbury team. The injury—a strained tendon behind the knee—is not serious and will not prevent him playing with the All Blacks next week. The selector, have agreed with the masseur, however, ttiat the leg should be rested for g few days. Rather than prejudice his chances with the AD Blacks Stuart has been stood down in favour of D. Mayo, who will travel by air to WelU *y?Bunrnore is also uncertain of his place to the team. A fash over an eye has proved a little troubleaome and he nas had- treatment for it. N. selector, arrives tomorrow muning. Bulhnore, D. Young. A. E. G. Elstun, and 3. Buxton, who also suffered slight injuries on Wednesday, are all fit end practised today. tSTSSS SWMgWHS ’SSSW strengthened by the addition of the All Black. R. H. Duff, and the fiery S. F. Hill. Their presence ta the lineouts win give a much needed boost to this department and will add weight to the scrum. In the backs much will depend on the combination between P. B. Vincent and J. Waine, who have not played very much football together. Outside Waine, however, S. K. Henderson, C. McDonald, A. E. G. Elsom and R. M. Smith should prove a combination second to none. For part of the match against Wanganui McDonald played on the wing and the selectors may yet decide to use Elsom in his normal position at centre to mark the All Black, C. J. Loader. Elsom is a more determined tackler than McDonald, and his marktag of Loader, both in the trial game ta July and to the 1953 Ranfurly Shield match, was exceptional.

Unknown Quantity The Wellington team is an unknown quantity. At least one of the Wellington selectors is not entirely satisfied with it Mr C. G. Gibbons said today that so far the forwards had not played very well and seemed to lack cohesion and fire. It was virtually the same pack as last year, but somehow it was not producing last year’s form. To some extent the same applied to the backs. Wellington will field four AU Blacks in its team if Jarden does not play, and Canterbury four. These are Smith, Elsom, Duff and Meates (Canterbury) and Loader, D. D. Wilson, W. H. Clark and L M. Vodanovich (Wellington). The Wellington inside back combination of J. G. Dougan and Wilson will be watched with Interest. Wilson is weU known to Canterbury supporters and reports indicate that after a slow start he is now playing exceUent football. Dougan, at first five-eighths, has been to and out of the Wellington team for eight years. He has played 33 games for Wellington and like Wilson is also playing grand football. The half-beck, A J. Makeham, is the successor to V. D. Bevan. By aU reports he has not been playing as well as he did last year. In the forwards the speedy W. H. Clark should prove effective in breaking up some baek movements, and I. H. Tarpley and L N. Mac Ewan, two taU, heavy men, will have most of the tight work with Vodanovich and the hooker, J. K. Sage. Since 1948 Canterbury has had an exceUent record against WeUington, winning seven of the 10 matches played jmd.compiltog 115 points against The results of matches since 1948, with Canterbury’s scores given first, have been: 1949, 13-18 and 13-11; 1950, 6-3 and 8-25; 1951, 6-3 and 3-0; 1952, 11-25 and 22-15; 1953, 9-8 and 24-3 (shield match). •The result of tomorrow’s match should be keenly disputed as later in the season Canterbury wiU be challenged by Wellington for the Ranfurly Shield. Tomorrow's game should give some indication as to Wellington’s chances. The teams for tomorrow are:— Mayo; R. M. Smith, C. A. McDonald, A. E. G. Elsom; S. K. Henderson, J. Waine; P. B. Vincent (captain); R. Moffat: S. F. Hill, R. H. Duff; K. r. Meates, J. Buxton; E. Hern, D. Young, E. Bulhnore. V. Hodson; R. A. Jarden or R. W. Smith, C. J. Loader, T. Katene; D. D. Wilson, J. G. Dougan; A. J. Makeham; L. A. Clark; D. nTMcIntosh (captain), I H. Tarpley, L N. Mac Ewan, W. H. Clark; I. M. Vodanovich, J. K. Sage, C. P. William*. HOTOP STILL UNDER TREATMENT Because of an injury to hi* knee and the difficulty of securing leave, ilia Canterbury five-eighths, X Hotop, md net go to Wellington for today’s match. HO is still under medical treatment and, although he waa at training on Tuesday and Thursday, he restricted himself to very light work. Be hope* to be available for Ug football before the end of the aeaeoo

AUCKLAND TEAM FOR SOUTHERN TOUR ■■■ DAVIS TO JOIN LATER (New Zealand fnu The Auckland representative. Rugby team for the aoutbem tour. Including a IRanforly Shield challenge match on Auguat 27. la:—P. Bull. T. Edwards, F. McMullen. L. Ruaaell, J. M. Tanner. T. Lineen, N. Brown. A. Magee, N. McLeod P. Han, J. Skeen. H. finery, C. Cralgle, D Ludbrook. R. Katterns, H. L. White. G Perry, and L Raamuaaen. K. Davie will join the team at Inver eargill, and H. L. Smith. B. McKenzie and A. Miller will join at Christchurch or August 33. PAYNE TROPHY MATCH DECISION REFERRED BACK TO UNION The suggestion made by the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union this v»eek that the Old Boys club might be willing to withdraw to allow the Christchurch club to contest this year’s Payne Trophy match, has been referred back to the committee by the club. Old Boys and Christchurch shared the senior championship this season. The club’s committee held a meeting on Thursday evening, and yesterday the secretary (Mr R. W. Thomas) said no decision had been reached other than to refer the matter back to the union. It was stated at the management committee’s meeting that University A had withdrawn in favour of Tsieri. with which it finished level in the Dunedin competition, and that as Old Boys had won the Christchurch championship and competed in the Payne Trophy match for the last two years, it might consider withdrawing this year. INTER-COLLEGE GAME St. Bede’s College will play its annual Rugby match against St. Patrick’s College (Wellington) at the St. Bede's College ground today. Last year the match, played at Wellington, was won by St. Patrick’s College by 5 points to 3. St. Bede's College this year has been the strongest team in the Christchurch inter-college competition, beating St. Andrew’s College, Christ's College, and Christchurch Boys’ High School. In those matches a fit and fiery forward pack has provided the basis for success. The teams for today’s match are:— St. Bede’s College.—K. Doyle; A. Fletcher, J. Pack, G. Blogg; J. Galvin, G. McCort: A. Wilson; B. Smither; O. Stopforth, M. O'Connor, N. Thomson, S. Laney: B. Meates, T. O’Shannessy, M. Moynihan (captain). Reserves: R. Tippen, P. Lindsay, B. Mahon, A. Archer. St. Patrick's College (selected from the following)B. Ford, D. McVey, D. Joyce, M. Lescher, D. Wright, P. ToohiU, P. Jones, M. Clegg, B. Eades, S. Johns (captain), H. Laracy, R. Larkin, T. Christie, G. Nausbaum, W. Nelson, B. Kennedy, J. Mullans, P. Leach, T. Keenan. MEETING OF FAMOUS FULL-BACKS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 12. Three of New Zealand’s most famous Rugby full-backs will probably be on the Petone Recreation Ground at the same time on Sunday week. R. W. H. Scott is to be full-back for a team of his own selection to play a combined Petone-University team. George Nepia has accepted an invitation to be the referee, and w. J. Wallace is being invited to kick off. Scott was full-back for the 1953-54 team and Wallace for the 1905-5 team. ALTERATIONS TO DRAW Junior B Section. —Vanity L default to Albion (D. J. Cunningham). Under 7at 71b.—Mar A v. Alb, SJ 3 . 22. 10.30 a.m. Under Oat 71b.—Mar B v. Lin B. Burwood 2,10 JO ajn. Advt. COLTS’ TRAINING SQUAD P. Morrison (Albion) hag been added to the colta’ training aquad. AD colta to train at the lighted training ground next Wednesday, Auguet 17, at S pjn. Advt. CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL CLUB. A* FILM EVENING will be held for an Under-weight Teama in the CLUBROOMS, 121 WORCESTER STREET, on MONDAY, AUG. 15. at 7JO pjn. Sharp. Parente of Boya welcome. P. B. FISHER, Hon. Secretary