TO PLAY WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 277, 20 August 1935, Page 15

TO PLAY WELLINGTON

Maori Team Selected For To-morrow A POWERFUL SIDE The Maoris have selected a powerful fifteen to play Wellington to-morrow. The pack is up to full international strength, while the back line, apart from the exclusion of Herai, is probably the best that could be fielded. Under the circumstances, Wellington Rugby patrons will have an opportunity of seeing in action a team practically of the same strength as that fielded against Queensland and New South Wales. Yesterday afternoon the Maoris, happy and full of spirit, had a traininggallop at Athletic Park. The forwards in particular impressed as a very powerful combination, both in tight and loose, and the Wellington team will have a handful of opposition to contend with. Under the expert eye of the co-manager, Mr. W. J. Wallace, the Maoris scrummaged and worked up passing movements between backs aud forwards which revealed remarkable precision in handling, while the ball travelled from flank to flank with bewildering rapidity and accuracy. The team selected by Mr. W. J. Wallace will take the field as follow: —

Full-back: Nepia (East Coast), captain. Three-quarters: Phillips (King Country), Ngaia (Taranaki), C. Smith (Hawke's Bay). Five-eighths: H. Harrison (East Coast) first, Chase (Wanganui). Half-back: Mellish (Nelson). Back Row: Broderick (Poverty Bay). Middle Row: G. Harrison (Taranaki), Kawe (King Country), P. Smith (Hawke’s Bay), Rogers (East Coast). Front Row: Mataira (Hawke's Bay), Whin (East Coast), Cooper (North Auckland). Emergencies: Backs, J. Reedy and Kotua; forwards, Whiteley and K. Reedy.

J. Hemi, the brilliant Wairarapa goal-kicker, is suffering from swollen ankle joints, as a result of continual play on the hard grounds. Hemi played in all 11 games in Australia. He was selected for ten and went on as an emergency replacement in the odd match. Hemi should make a quick recovery.

Nepia has recovered from the rib injuries he received in the last New South Wales game, but he still favours his right leg, which was also injured below the thigh against New South Wales. According to Mr. Wallace, Nepia's leadership was worth many points to his team.

Mellish, the young half-back, is the most improved player in the team, while Broderick and George Harrison are the two fastest players. These two men, with their brilliant speed, were always the worry of the opposition in Australia. Broderick found his place ns a permanent loose forward following a race over 66 yards in which he and Harrison boat the remaining members of the touring party/ The speed of this pair will bo appreciated by New Zealanders who have seen C. Smith. Chase, Phillips and McDonald in action.