DOMINION'S DEFENDERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 206, 25 May 1908, Page 5

DOMINION'S DEFENDERS.

"A RESURRECTION." IN THREE YEARS, LESS THAN A THIRD OF NEW BLOOD. Tho selectors of th'o Now • Zealand team, Messrs. Wilson, Harris, Kelly, and Gallaher, have.picked the following men to represent ■ the Dominion in the first' test match against tho Britishers, which is to be played-at Dunodin on Juno 6: FULL-BACK. *W. J. Wallace (Wellington)'.--"'- 1 > THREE-QUARTERS. ' *H. D. Thompson (Wellington), *R. G. Deans > (Canterbury), Cameron (Taranaki). • FIVE-EIGHTHS. *J. Hunter (Taranaki) and *J. W. Stead (Southland). ' . - - HALF. ; ' . ' : .f.. ' *F. Roberts (Wellington)'. . . WING-FORWARD. ' ' *G. Gillett (Auckland). ■ ■ : < • FORWARDS. '. *S.' Casey (Otago), fE. Hughes (Southland), |H. R. Francis (Auckland), "Rangi" Wilson (Wellington),. *W. Cunningham (Auckland), .. *0. .Seeling (Auckland), *A. M'Donald (Otago). , - Emergencies :—Back *H. J. Mynott (Taranaki); forward, Hay ward (Auckland).' *New Zealand rep.' and "All Black."- .. . .tNew Zealand rep. , x

The, first New Zealand team to meet tho Britishers may fairly be termed "the re-, surrection," consisting, as it does,, mainly ofa old warriors who have probably, seen-their: best day, and of whom some would .never have entered the, arena again but for .the; present tour of the Britishers. JTivo of. the resurrected were members of tho 1905 "All Black" combination, and had : practically • dropped the game. Eleven out of the fifteen selected were "All Blacks," and a twelfth i 3 .selected as an emergency: / Of the other four, Hughes (Southland) . and Francis (Auckland) wore in the, last New Zealand team which visited Australia, and "Rangi'.? Wilson, of Wellington,'was a North Island representative.- Francis was one of the most dashing forwards in New Zealand last year, - and no ono can cavil at his inclusion. Hughes also made ■ a name for himself last year, and is well worth his place. Wilson's' inclusion will be a popular . selection, the Athletic man fairly won his spurs by hard work and consistently good play. — With tho backs in good form, the team'. would undoubtedly bo strong on attack. As all the members of tho back division, with the exception of Cameron, were "All Blacks,'' they are certain to adopt the tactics which proved so successful at Home.. In order to enable them to again attain the' high degree of combination which characterised tlieir play in 1905, they will assemble in Dunedin somo days prior to tho contest. Five of the eight forwards were also members of the "All ! Black" team, and they must hare , a good knowledge of the style of play best suitedto thwart the manoeuvres of tho visiting vanguard. The two hookers will proves hard nuts to crack, and the British rearguard will find tho attentions of Wilson,. Francis, and Co. harassing in tho extreme. If any. thing, the Now Zealand vanguard may ba a little lighter than .their opponents.; .- Some of tho "All Blacks" selected to represent ' Now Zealand are getting on in-yc-ars. Wallace is 29 years of age, Hunter 28,. Stead 30, Gillett 30, Thompson 26, and Cunningham 31. Of the others, Roberts is 25, Deans 23, Casey 24, M'Donald -24, Seeling 24. Mynott, tho emergency back, is 31. WELLINGTON REP. TEAM. The following team has been selected to tc~ present Wellington against the Englishmen . at the Athletic Park on Wednesday• ; Full-back: George Spencer (Melrose). ' Three-quarters': Evenson (Athletic), Mitchinsan (fonoke), Thompson (Oriental). Five-eighths: Wallace' (Poneke), Roberts (Oriental).. . ■ Half: Green (Petone). Wing forward :.Hardham (Petone). Forwards: Ready (Petone), Hamilton (Melrose), A. M. Wilson (Wellington), Rush (Poneke), A. Wilson (Athletic), Dewar (Melrose), Alexander (Old Boys). • ■ Emergencies—Back: 'J. Ryan (Petone); forward: Knight (Petone). . . . . . Tho team is. not so; strong_as those which have represented the Union in recent years, and' could havo been improved on in seVeral directions. . It was generally expected that George Spencer would bo selected as full-back. Al-though-more than one of tho younger players have shown improved form, ho is probably tho safest back for. tho position. Tho. three-quarter line is not as strong ar it .could have been made. Evenson (a centrc, of the solid order) will play on one wing, and Thompson, of "All Black" fame, on tho other. Tho former has played .successfully in previous rep. matches, while the latter, is. a . brilliant attacking player, ..but is not .noted for going down to a forward rush. Givo him' a chanco to pick , up the ball and run'round tho advancing forwards, and ho shines. Mitchmson in tho centre has only played one gamo this season, having, injured his kneo. On his last year's form lie would bo ono'of tho first men picked, but, with only one gamo to his credit this year, and a doubtful leg, his inclusion is-risky. -, _ '. and Roberts will play five-eighths, and may bo successful, but the former at wing throe-quarter and Roberts at ; half would, if possiblo, havo been' a : better arrangement. ' ' Green, half,-is a clever young player, and it is probably the fact that it would bo bard lines on him to have' to stand down that has led to Roberts being shifted.. Hardliam,- on his present season's form, has earned his placo on tho wing. The forwards are a fair avoragc combination, but devoid.of champions. Outside of A Wilson and 1 Ready, threo equally strong fori ward teanfs could bo picked to represent 3 Wellington. ■-. .The k to attend at 7.30 o dock to-night at tho'Athletic' Club's f .gyinnasium l jjurgoses.