RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 104, 3 May 1924, Page 18

RUGBY

LBV "OROPKICK"!

CHOOSING THE TEAM

EEPKESENTATIYE1 FIXTURES. Wellington's engagements and special • matches to be played in Wellington are as follow:— ':.-.. ■■■■ ■ -„--. •■■ .-.■ -.. May2l—-Possibles v. 'Probables : (North; la- ■■... land), at Wellington. ■ ■: May 21—Seddon Shield Districts' Trial Match, at Wellington. May 81—North-Island v. South Island,1 at Wei-' . lington... . ... June S—Possibles v. Probables (New Zealand), .'at Wellington: ■ . -' .. » July l(£^v. Waira'rapa,' at Waifarapa. ' August 27—v. Nelson, at Wellington. ■ August 30—v. Taranaki, at Wellington. ■ • September .6—V: Auckland, at Wellington. September 10—v. South Canterbury, at Tiinani. September 13-^. Marlbbrough. at Wellington. September 13—v. Otago, at Duncdin. September 17—v:. Southland, at Invercargill. . September 20—v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 20—v. King Country; at Wellington. ! Some of, the above mutches are subject to confirmation, and. the dates ol those from the 6th September are subject to alteration. The choice of- the. New Zealand team j to make the big tour overseas this year Will commence hi earnest next Saturday,■when the first- o£ the trial games will be-played at Auckland. The task of' the"five selectors is anything but light; - they "are faced with a month's solid work in seaching for the twenty-nine players whom they consider most worthy of representing the Dominion. In the first place, however, the selectors of the various unions . are confronted with a very important duty, as.it falls upon their shoulders to find the men -with the best claims for inclusion' in the New ! Zealand team. Their nominees will be | placed on trial, and it will be to the trial matches that the New Zealand selectors will pay attention. In view of the fact that selection in the first place rests -with the union selectors, it seems to the writer that the appointment of five-, men to make the final choice of players -was 'Quite unnecessary. Three ■would "have been quite sufficient, and it is more than likely that, if the right maii' could have been' found—and there ..ire some very fine impartial judges of footballers in New Zealand—the selection of the'"team 'from the "'players nominated by the^ varioiisvunions might have been carried out in such a way as to give just as much satisfaction as might be given by' the " five selectors. Opnions about play and' play el's differ, and it is to be hoped that the views of the New Zealand "selectors will not be conflicting as td'a'ecbunt for any. selections that may cause dissent. Of -course, it -will be an extremely difficult matter to piease everybody, but it should be possible for five toen, if they are all capable judges, to make a selection that will give general satisfaction. By taking into account the merits of the players, irrespective of the province which they represent; ta - good selection should be iriaclc.''Under.'.'the 'system 'adopted by the New' Zealand Rugby Union for making the choice of players, players from all parts of i the Dominion are being given a chance to gain a'place in the' touring team, and no doubt a majority, of the provinces ■ will -be represented in the team.-'-There: is not1 much: room in the system,: however; for' trying ouf all players whose ■ form-suggests that they are worthy of a trial.' Take the 'first trial match for example.. One ;team will be made up of Auckland, North Auckland, Thames, and .Waikato players.' It is .possible, though., not.. probable,, that the. best fifteen players from those four districts may all be in one district, say, Auckland. In order to make the team .representative ..players...from ( the other districts, will be._-included.- in .'the trial team,., and-'th'e'ir form .. may not-.be as good as that of players in the other; district who have not found a place in the team. To bring the, matter nearer home, Wellington, has to combine with Wairarapa, Horowfcenu'a,'arid Bush' Districts. When this combined team is chosen it may be found that some local players. with good'credentials have been dropped to make 'room','for the country players;; And to-put/the1 boot on the other foot, the country. unions may regard some of their'players'who are'nat. chosen as more worthy of a place in the team than some of the Wellington players who have been included. Then, ih regard to" the New Zealand team, one union may possess ten or a dozen players who" are arnorig the best twen-: ty-riine' in New' Zealand, but "it'is ex-; tremely Unlikely that any union will be so largely represented in the team; in fact, it is practically an impossibility under the system adopted for the selection of the team. Of course, there would be fe-.v if any followers of the game who would seriously suggest that any one union possessed over one-third of the best twenty-nine ..players "in New Zealand, but what the writer is driving at. is that, in the absence of inter-pro-vincial matches before the selection of the New' Zealand team, there is very little room for the unions to have as many of their players tried uut-in the trial matches as might be desired. However, the system has been adopted, and if; is being brought into force next week, so; that the best'will have to be made of it, and if the judgment is good there is ho reason why the final selection, as previously stated, should not be good. Unless, there is any glaring case of omission, tbose who are 'disappointed will'just have to accept the judgment of the selectors in the sporting spirit which ' helps to keep up the good name of New Zealand's national game. The complete list of trial matches is as follows :—• • ■ -

10th May (Saturday).—Auckland, North Auckland, Thames.' and Waikato v. Hawkes Bay, Bay of' Plenty, East Coast, and Poverty-Bay;-at Auckland.

12th May (Monday).—Te Mori Bose Bowl match between teams representing the Northern and Southern Maori districts, at Auckland. (The jN'ew Zealand selectors hare been asked to ,view this match.) . ■

I6th May (Friday).—Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua, and Bush Districts v. Taranaki, Wanganui, ifanawatu, and King Country.'at Wanganui. 21st May (Wednesday).—Possibles v. Probables (teams comprising North Island players), at Wellington. 21st May (Wednesday).—Marlborough, Nelson, and Motneka-Qpld«n Bay jr.

TRIAL MATCHES START. NEXT WEEK

limited room for all likely players

West Coast and Buller, at Wellington (This match will be played as a curtainraiser to'the North Island PossiblesProbables match). : 24th May (Saturday).—Canterbury and South Canterbury v. Otago and Southland', at Invercargill. ■ 2Sth May (Wednesday).—Possibles. v> Probables, (teams comprising South Island players), at Christchurch. - 31st May (Saturday).—North Island v. South Island, at Wellington. 3rd Jun6 (King's Birthday).—Possibles v. Probables (teams comprising players from both Islands). „ INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRIALS. Iv connection with the trial matches, the Nsw Zealand Rugby Union's Man- ■ agement Committee has issued instructions to unions that they are only to nominate players who are: (a) Available for the,' English tour; (b) who are eligible by fitness and ability to be included in such a tour.; and (c) who are fit as to character and in every other way to make the English.tour. The attention of all unions has been specially drawn' to the decisions, of the annual Meeting that no reinstated player is to be included in the touring team, and. that married players are only to be considered for inclusion under exceptional circumstances. All players will be medically examined in Wellington prior to the North v. South Island match.' Any.player who is riot likely to pass this test as physically fit to take part in this strenuous tour should not be nominated to participate in any trial match.'

Players are expected to arrive at the playing centre on the day preceding the day; on which they, are to play. Allunions are expected to see that only absolutely necessary expenses are incurred. No taxi charges will be recognised unless certified .to as ■'authorised by the local union from which the player is drawn. The home union is to provide each of its players with tickets or funds sufficient to cover their expenses to and from' the matches they are selected to play, in, and claim a refund from the -N.Z.R.U. The local union is expected to arrange for the necessary accommodation. ...

The West Coast R.TJ. will send its players to Wellington via Christchurch The Buller R.U. will send its players via Nelson. . - -

All matches are to.be controlled by the home union on the basis of 20 per cent, from the gate grounds, after paying for advertising, amusement tax, and gatekeepers' wages. The players are to provide their own white knickers, stockings, and hoots The Wellington and Wangamii Rugby Unions are asked to supply a set of jerseys each for the match to be' played at [ Wanganui, the choice of colours to be mutually arranged. Marlboro ugh and West Coast are asked to' supply a set of jerseys citth for the Seddon Shield group ! match, to be played at -Wellington, the I colours to be mutually arranged. The K.Z.R.U. will supply the jerseys for this j match. : SENIOR COMPETITION. Athletic opened the championship sea«>n well by beating a, .strong Old Boys fifteen handsomely by "11 points to ml. The win was all the more men-I tonous, because the Old Boys' defence I wwaa really good, and Malcolm was seen I at his best. He had a great deal to do i but did it well. There is, however, the i point that all full-backs suffer greatly through the amended rule, and Malcolm's line-finding was not so good as it would have been otherwise. All the same, he promises, to become Wellington's best full-back. Brook on the Athletic side also played well, though lie had much less to do. The back line of the; winners was really excellent for the opening of the season/ It remained practic-. .ally unchanged from that of the team which did so well last season, Cookson, at centre, being the exception, a worthy rectuit.for'a first-class rear division. As a place-kick, Cookson is a decided acquisition, to the side. The two wings, B. Gibson and Sutton, were distinctly 0 good, Sutton already showing an improvement on last year's form. Warwick played a heady game at half for Athletic, and Svenson and G. Gibson carried out their part in the machine effectively: It was a day for wing scoring, as the defence in the centre was too sound to be easily penetrated. The Athletic forwards were a3 good as ever, the two front-rank men, Swain and Osborne, playing especially well. Without anticipating too much, ouo likes the chances or Athletic for the chamoioasbjp. . ■..-.',■ ■ LThs losers put up a very plucky fi«ht and are starting the season to all appearances a better team than they were last year. The back line is strong with the new accession, and the forwards stood up to the heavy and more experienced Athletic pack with honour. The screwing tactics of the Blues were a bit of a problem in the later stages of the game, but the Old Boys came out of the ordeal very.. creditably. Hutt made a very promising start against Petone, and thoir display, under trying conditions, was good enough to mark them down as .1 much better side than they were last sea-son. Their light forwards, who appeared to be giving away pretty well a stone in weight afl round, were too nippy for the Petone pack, and the rearguard performed well, though hampered by'the wet conditions.' Ihey were exceedingly unlucky in 'not placing at least one try to their account, and had all opportunities been used to the best advantage, the young team might have brought off a surprise.. Ar, it was, they gave Petone supporters not a little cause for concern. That the Hutt Club means to go a, Jong way in the- Bu?by game is indicated by the keenness'of the members. On the training night prior ito the opening game eighteen players in j the running for places in the senior team turned up at the new gymnasium, and. they included three players from Wellington, one from Wainui; two from U]>per Hutt, aud one from Khandallali. Altogether, Hutt have twenty-two players from whom to draw for their senior team. We are "quito pleased with tho weiv things are going," romu.rked the sßureL tary (Mr. Budding) to "Drop-Kick" ibis

week, "and our men do not mind fettinobeaten. That does not stop them." ° Hutt are fortunate in securing the services of a very capable man iv Major Rogers to look after the training of the team. Major Rogers, who resides at Upper Hutt, trained the A.I.F. team in England.

The Hutt Gymnasium is now in full swing, and is to be officially opened at an early- date. The state of the ground is not all that could lie desired, and one of the grounds, which has been marked out, does not appear to be suitable for play. It is a pity that the | whole ground could not have been ploughed some months ago. Lack of funds probably prevented this from being done. The Hutt tack division last Saturday differed entirely from that which met Petone last season. Fisher, from Training College, was full-back, and carried out his duties very capably. J. Hickling, from Berhampore, put in some good work as wing-three-quarter, and was unJueky in not registering a try, the ball slipping from his grasp as he crossed the Petone hn-o. His brother, R."Hickling, filled the centre position in the threequarter line, and Haaelwoodj who has not played for several years, was on the other wing. The latter was inclined to be weak on attack, but he will, no doubt improve with play. Baumber, from Poneke, was in fair form behind the scrum and the five-eighths, M'Kay ' (who has been playing for Bulls while absent from Hutt) and Burt (a last year's junior), worked well.

The Hutt forwards last Saturday included Sullivan (from Marist), Benee (from Upper Hutt), and Fawcett (a reinstated player). The whole pack went well,; and Slmn was seldom found wanting in his capacity as wing-forward. The hookers, Fawcett and. Cox, were more successful than the opposing pair. Christie, who played at half-back for Hutt last year, has returned to the district, aiid others available for the Hutt senior team when required are Do Castro (from Wellington) and Colin Cudby, who ■has changed back again from League Cudby was an excellent club man for Hutt before trying the other code, and his return is welcomed.

• Petone are usually noted for the- spectacular combined work of their backs, but conditions were against them last Saturday, and the occasions" on which they . worked effectively against Hutt were very few. A number of the players appeared td be suffering from the effects of the walk over the Tararuas, but as soon as any stiffness has been worked off they should be able to show old Petone form. -The forwards were on the slow side last Saturday, and did not get going in a manner altogether satisfactory to thosewho are putting their faith in last-year s champions. Corner is suffering from an injury, and was unable to take the field last Saturday ior Petone. It may be a week or two before he is right. Griffin was also an absentee. His place was : taken by Scott, who played for Petone several seasons ago, and was a member of the representative team which went to Auckland in 1918. He played well, arid scored a good try. Pctone's outstanding forward against Hutt was King, the ex-Oriental player. He played ,a dashing game all through and showed more pace in the loose'than ihonias, who is recognised as a fast forward. Love appeared to be carrying too much condition. H. E. and.Mark Nicholls accomplished quite a lot of good work, and should again be well in the limelight this season, but they did not receive a great deal of assistance, "Doc ' Nicholls being obviously out of form. C4. Nicholls, another brother, who was expected to play for Old Boys, filled the full-back position for Petone in a creditable- manner. As Petone were short, a fifth-class boy, Wat-kins, was called upon to fill a vacancy in the backs, and he shaped well Cornaga did not get many opportunities, but on one, occasion, when the backs.' moved attractively just after half-time,' he topped off the movement by registering an excellent try. Mark Nicholls indicated that his goal-kicking abilities are still retained, the penalty goal Which he landed being a very fine effort Hawkins appeared to be out of place 'as cen-tre-three-quarter. He is best suited to the wing position. E. King, the ex-Ponek'e player, who was in Manawatu" last season, has thrown in his lot'with the Oriental Club. Marist have suffered a severe loss through Sheehan, a young, and nippy five-eighth, sustaining an injury, to a shoulder while playing' .in a match at .Shannon during Easter. Sheehan, as a junior last season, showed much promise, and was well worthy of promotion to senior ranks. It may be advisable for him to remain out of the game until the effects of the injury disappear completely.

Wellington are at present without the services of Johnston, who injured an ankle in an early match. The Yellow-and-Blacks will miss this good fiveeighth, who was one of the strong men of tho team last season. He may be able to resume play shortly. Although the conditions were totally unsuited \o a. good exhibition of Rugby last Saturday, Marist and Wellington provided a very interesting game at Kilbirnie. It was a day for the forwards, and both sets seized the chance to make use of it. Those prominent in the Marist pack wore Mick O'Sullivan (a last year jun. ior), who kept on the ball all the time, Burley (a West Coast representative last year), and Bowman (of Christchurch Marist).. The trio put in a Jot of good work. Hall and Hopkins' also played with plenty of dash. M'Rao was good in the line-out and in the open play. For Wellington Butcher, Joyce, and Parsons we're conspicuous, but all the forwards worked well, and there were no laggards. The feature of the, game was the good combined work of the Marist forwards.

_ Among t,he backs in the Marist-Wel-lington game last Saturday, Hill and Sidet did all that was -required of them as full-backs. Holt/, (the Southland re presentative of last year) played well, but was evidently not accustomed to the play of the Marisfc team. He stands over six feet and M'Cleary, on passing on the blind side, hit him oil the knee, and remarked, "Sorry, 'Longy,' I haven't got used to your height yet." Mahonev,. Murphy, and M'Cleary'played well. For Wellington Bi'aiusall was the best back, being good both on defence and attack. Frater was sound, and Morgan and Glennie showed that they might do well on a fine day. Moore did not play up to his Johnsonvillo form, and seemed overeager.

Had the weather been fine on Saturday, the game at Athletic Piirk between Berhampore iinil l'oneke would,* no doubt have been a spectacular struggle between two determined and confident teams. As it was the mutch was quite interesting from the spectator's point of view,-anti despite a greasy ball and the uncertain nature of the sodden turfj some bright piectM i)l piny «■!!(•« witiujKsistl, 'Bulb towns fought hard ail the way, sud the

manner in which they maintained a particularly fast pace throughout the game was testimony of the benefit which can be derived from training in a gymnasium. After a closely contested game the teams divided honours, both having three, points to their credit, and, although it may be contended for Poneke that the advantage was with them in that their points came as the result of a try, while Berhampore's only success was the outcome of a well-directed penalty kick, it must be said that the result was the best possible, as neither team succeeded in showing any marked superiority.

A fast three-quarter with, the physical qualities of a forward is certainly an asset, to any team, and in Bennett, the sturdy young ex-Manawatu player, Po» neke have a man .who should soon develop into something really worth while. Though not particularly tall, he is very strongly built, and when he has been allowed to accelerate for a few yards the man whose duty it is to stop him will have to temper determination with a degree of caution. A weighty back always takes a lot of grassiiig, and although against Berhampore on Saturday Bennett did not perform in any way brilliantly he showed that, with a little more confidence, he will trouble all the veterans who pride themselves on their knowledge of how and when to collar a man. All the scoring in the game at the Athletic Park on Saturday between Selwyn and Varsity was done in the first spell, v wi - c play of the Collegians was slightly mferior to that of the aggtessive town men. Heavy, rain began to fall Hist before the interval, however, and the losers seemed able to fight back far bette! under these uncongenial weather ps", t .r.^S,'StL'Sf oe« awaited with interest. CANTERBUBY'S TEAM. Canterbury are early off the mark in making a _ selection of representatives the following team having* been chosen meet'a team from the Fleet at Christchurch to-day :—Full-back T Harris (Old Boys), thie-quartersfw A Ford Merivale), W. Elvy (Linwood) A Robilhard (Christchurch);1 five-eighth^ Wj .Dall ey (Old Boys), S. R. Cadeton (Old Boys); half-back, J. Brodie ('Varsity); forwards, wing.lß. Diedrich (Hurunui) B M'Cleary (Hurunui), F. Partodge (Merivale) T. Milliken (Old Boys), j; Mf^J^Won), O. Turpin (Li,! P°°i ]> Knhy (Christchurch), J. H Parker-(Old Boys). Emergencies, back, MM nf" <Old Boys)' toward, J Meikle (Merivale). , P™ts t °{™ te? T est in of the selection of the New Zealand team are made by the Christchurch "Star " h, commenting upon the selection. The choice of a full-back could not have given the selectors much trouble, as J Harm is again this season at the lop of his form. If he goes through all tho .trial games satisfactorily, he must have a great chance of obtaining his All Black colours (says "The Star.") The picking of the_ three-quarter line was not so easy I he biggest surprise of the lot is how tha selectors came to overlook I. 11. Brown wo played such fine games at centre for Canterbury last year. The North Island papers had nothing but praise for us play when Canterbury were on tour last season. Brow,, was not playing last Saturday on account of an abscess on his lace, but he is all right now. On prosent form are either Ford or Robilliard better wing three-quarters than Werren ? Most people would answer in the negative. Werren is a strong, determined runner and a brilliant tackier, and youn<* players are what are required in the team to go Home. Ford is a.good man, or at least has been a good man. The only question is whether he is as sound as he used to be, and able to stand up to the strain of big football. Robilliard is solid without being- brilliant. As a good dashing type of three-quarter,' Werren should have been the first man picked. The exclusion of Brown is astonishing. W. Dalley, first five-eighth, is a tried and experienced player with such good all-round qualifications that lie must be looked upon as ah All .Black possible. M'Gregor, of the Christehurch team, would have been included but for an injury, but he might have gone m as centre.

M'Cleary is sure to be fit, and the selectors have clone the right thing in giving him an early chance, because a repetition of his last season's form will make his inclusion in the All Blacks a certainty. The inclusion of Millikon will give general satisfaction. There is no doubt that he 13 one of the best exponents of the present clay style of Rugby in New Zealand. Fleet of foot, he handles the ball with as much precision as any back. Turpin can play good football when he likes. Parker's inclusion was a certainty, and the universal opinion is held here' that lie has a royal chance of obtaining an All Black jersey.

A start was made with the Wairarapa championships last Saturday. Six teams are out for senior honours—Red |Star, Masterton, Featherston, Carterton, Greytown, and Gladstone. Victories were gained in the opening matches by Red Star, Fcathcrstoi), and Masterton.

Scott, an ex-Berhampore player, is now playing for Cartertou seniors, and showed good form last Saturday.

The Donald brothers wero leading lights in the Featherston team last Saturday, doing much towards the team's success over Gladstone. Judging by their showing last Saturday, Featherston will be a solid proposition for the other Wairarapa teams. But they may not be tho same team if the Donald brothers are missing later in tho season.

P. Storey, the ex-New. Zealand representative wing-three-quarter, turned' out for the opening games in Timaru last Saturda}', and accomplished good -work for Zingari. Some of his efforts on the wing accounted for tries. Fairbrother, who was in Wellington last year as an emergency for tho third Test team, is.Zingari's full-back. P». Stewart, who has also been under the notice of the South Island and New Zealand selectors, was out with Old Boys, and played well.

Sam Cameron, who showed good form with Taranaki last season, is now loading the Waverley team, and his form last Saturday suggested that his dash is still retained.

W. Collier, of Kaierau (Wanganui), displayed excellent goal-kicking qualities last Saturday. In addition to converting the three tries scored by his side he kicked a penally goal. Ono of tho conversions was a splendid effort from the touch-line.

AlLhough one dub has withdrawn from the Canterbury Union, the entries for tlsiti <wftgijn'i) conii;clilfi9nit ahu>y nti iijj W'ease gf seven teams.