RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 52, 29 August 1925, Page 18

RUGBY

tiY "OROPKICK"!

GAME OF THE YEAR

SfflELB CONTEST NEXT SATURDAY

BaMom h*s ft game excited such ta» lerest v that In which the forcea of Hawkes Bay and Wellington will dash at Athletic Park next Saturday. It is undoubtedly the gam© of the yeai, and if tho weather and everything else are in good order- it should he the mean* of adding something Teally Interesting to the records of inter-provincial lootbaD. There will be few enthusiast* ■within reach of Wellington who will miss tlds event, and in the large a«emblags that is likely to Bee this snatch for the Ranfurly Shield there will be quite a large section of supporters from the Hawkes Bay diswiot, arrangements having been made for a special train to run from the. Bay. . The Hawkes Bay team will arrive here next Thursday evening, and as far as is known at present, it will be the Bay's very best.' That means that It will be composed mainly of playera who have represented New Zealand in reoent years. There will be Nepia, Paewai, Mill, Irvine, and 0. and M. Brofwnlls, of the 1924 New Zealand team; J. Bloke, Oorkill, and Kirkpatlriok, of the 1925 New Zealand teamj and Qemmell and Ormond, who have been in other New Zealand teams. Also there, wfll bs Falwasser, who was in this- year's North Island team. Pot other places in the team there are plenty of good players offering, among them Grenside, Banolay, Mahoney, Walker, and"! Swain. -All those players mentioned are well known, and there is no getting away froto the fact that they are a hot proposition. But with all their record and with all their strength, Hawkes Bay may find that Wellington on this oocasjou will not be so easily disposed of as other teams. Indeed, Hawkes Bay now appear to be) well alive to the faot that it is up against a hot proposition. General opinion seems to favour Hawkes BaYs chance*, and taking aline, through performances it is only reasonable that favouritism should go to the Shield holders. The team that Wellington will have to beat in order to regain possession of the Kinfurly Shield win probably be arranged as follows s—iFull-baok, Nepiaj threequarters, Falwusser, J. Blake, Qren»ide j fivs-dghtha, Fae-wai and Oorkill or Barolfty.j half-back, Mill; wing-forward, Walker j forwards, Irvine, Kfrkpatrick, 0. BrownHe, Mahoney, M. Brownlis, Geramill, and Ormoud or Swain. It is a std* that will take some beating I Wellington's Team. In the search for the best get of playera to represent Wellington against Hawkas. Bay, the seleotors have found ihe makings of a team which should keep Hawke* Bay moving all the way. The job has not been easy, and the selectors hay« found It necessary to take time .io.ooiao to a definite conclusion about some plsyars. Then, too, it has bflen nooatsary for them to do some nursing in order that certain good players mty not be lost for the most important engagement of the seaßon. The filling oi certain places has been quite • simple matter, but all along the line there hsv« been, points Where the strength wi» not up to requirements, and no little difficulty has been experienced in the endeavour to make these point* stronger. There has been a good deal' of manoeuvring, but it has not produced any particularly satisfactory result*. The chano* ol making one important experiment, which might have Seen to Wellington a advantage, was air lentred to pass. This was in trying out Porter as a half-back. Evidently the selectors we satisfied that the team woold bo better served by keeping Warwick In his usual position than by taking Porter from wing-forward to halfDftdc. Warwick is a good hall. He is olev«r and game, and ha has done exceedingly well as Wellington's half, but on tills occasion there is need of a halfback of the Roberts type. The only likely man to lupjply the want is Porter. Brainwell is another good half- i back—he showed up quite as well as Warwick in last Saturday's trial. But Bramwell. too, is on the light side. It is too lato to leave the experiment of playing Porter as half until the match itself, so it is taken for granted that Warwick Is to hold his place. For fiye-eighths there are Nicholls, Johnson, Mansfield, and Tilyard, but tho lastnamed may be required elsewhere. Nicholla was in tip-top form last Saturday; In fact, he has been playing great football for weeks past., Johnson is ' not showing- his best form, but Mansfield js now doing what was expected of him some years ago, and he showed up particularly well in the trial. Tilyard is without doubt the moat solid inside back in Wellington, and he has played a big part in- putting Poncko at the top of tho lftddar this season. This player shoijld bo given a chance where ho shows bis - best form, and that ie as a fiveejgKfch. A Tilyard-Nicholls combination some years ago provided some of S,he finest inside baok pjay that has ever >een seen here. Here is the chance for t to be repeated. The three-quarters ■will be chosen from Hiokey, Bvonson, Bedell, and Tilyard. Bedell did well in the trial, and Hiokoy, with few opportunities, showed good form against New South Wales o-t Palmerston. Svenson was not playing lost Saturday, but he is a certainty. Malfroy also gave an impressive display in the trial until ho met with an injury, which accounts for Wa absence from the final set of twenty players. ." Walters has given displays satisfactory enough to retain Ms place, Cudby was a disappointment last Saturday, but Malcolm played .up to the form which 'hrus bcon. running him very close to Walters this season. IE Warwick plays as half, Porter, of course, will bo wing-forward. The two front-rankers will coma from S. Shearer. Osbonic, and B- .Wikron, and from last Saturday's experience there is no • better pair that Shearer find Osborne. Martin-Smith or Puncvu (Uei'hanjporo) will lock • tho snrum. the former being No. 1 so far as the (selectors am concerned. Uis unfortunate that J. Duncan (Athletic) could not sco his way clear to play in rep. mmc*. Tno twff forwards In training Ja» J. Shwrar, Sly, Orotty, Young, wet

KEU.rNGTON'3 OHANOES AGAINST HAWKES BAY

1 Smith (Poneke)-a good lot. Young ! was an outstanding player in the trial, and Orotty also impressed. The one player whom the selectors- soem to have made a mistake in overlooking is Fitzgerald. He is in great form this seai son, and showed it in the trial. There ! is probably no other player of this type in Wellington who can fit in. so well with the backs. . . . From the twenty players in training the selectors should We no trouble in sorting out a fifteen that will keep Wellington's supporters alive with enthusiasm. The bid for possession of the trophy should be a very determined one, more so, if the team is proporly fit, than that which Canterbury made recently. In the writer's opinion, the team from the twenty players now in Naming should be made up as follows : Walters; Hiokey, Svenson, Bedell; Tilyard, Nicholls; Warwick; Porter; S. Shearer, Osborne, Sly, Martin-Smith, J. Shearer, Orotty, and Young or Smith. Eitherone of the following teams would have had a greater appeal: (1) Walters; Hickey, Svenson, Bedell; Tilyard, Nichoils; Porter; Fitzgerald; S. Shearer, Osborne, J. Shearer, .Martin-gnuth, Crotty, Young, and Sly. (2) Walters; Hickey, Fitzgerald, Svenson; Tilyard, Nichoils; Warwick"; Porter; S. Shearer, Osborno/ J. Shearer, Martin-Smith, Sly, Young, and Crotty. Items of Interest. It will be remembered that Wellington went very olose to beating Hawkes Bay in the match, played at Napier two years ago, and as the local team to take tha field next Saturday should be a better one than that which went to Napier in 1923, another creditable performance should be given. Of course, Hawkes Bay are also stronger than they were twoyears ago, but on this occasion they will be playing away from home, mis is the first time that Hawkes Bay have taken tte Shield on tour, and Wellington may be counted fortunate in having the shield matoh playod here, as the : Hawke» Bay Rugby Union has not entertained a request from Auckland that .the Hawkes Bay-Auckland match at Auckland be a Shield game. The usual thing is for the holdern of the trophy to piny Shield matches at home, but in previous years both Wellington and Southland carried the "log of wood on Regarding* the reference to the previous strength of teams, it may be of interest to note the composition of the Wellington and Hawkes Bay teams in the 1923 match at Napier, when > Wellington were beaten by 10 points (a "potted" goal, a penalty goal, and a goal from a mark) to 6 points (two tries). The teams were: —Wellington: Corner; Faber, Svenson, Jackson; F. Tilyard, M. Nichoils j H. E. Nicholls (captain); Porter; Swain, Osborne, J. Dunoan, J. Rogers, C. B. Thomas, L. A. Thomas, and A. Pringle. During the second spell A. D. M'Rae replaced H. E. Nicholls, Porter then playing as half-baok. .Hawkes Bay: Yates; Grenside, Kirwan, Mapu; Nepia, Paewai; Mill; Martin-Smith; KirkpatTick, Irvine, C. Brownlie, M'Nab, M. Brownlie (captain), Walker, Gemmell. In the Becond spell Heb-berley replaced Mar-tin-Smith. The latter is now one of Wellington's ptroba-blos, While Swain is on Hawkes Bay's list. Of the Wellington players in that match five are among the local trainees for next Saturday's match. At least ten members of the 1923 Bay team ore likely to take the field next Saturday. The two players who have changed over —Martin-Smith and Swain—are also available. The Hawket Bay team which lifted the Shield from WeUirgrton in 1922 was: Yates; Barclay, J. Blake, Grenside j Kingston, Kirwan; Kivell; Scott, Kirkpatriok (captain), Wynn, McGregor, O. Brownlie, M'Nab, Gemmell, and Miller. Several of those players are still in the Bay's firßt fifteen. The Wellington team which' lost the Sihield to Hawkos Bay was: J. Murphy; Jackson, Aitken (captain), Malfroy; Wogan, Udy; Trapskij E. King; Standen, D. Scott, C. B. Thomaa, Moflfitt, Troy, A. D. M*Rae, and J. Duncan. During the game W. Ryan replaced Standen. Not one of those Wellington players will be in the local team next Saturday, but it was possible that Malfroy might have played had he not met with an injury last Saturday. Malfroy was very koen, particularly as he was the one remaining member of the team which lost the Shield. The injury to his leg came at a most inopportune time, and there will be general sympathy for him in meeting with such bad hick. Other players who may have been seen in next Saturday's match had misfortune not come their way are: Pringle, "Doc" Nicholls, and L. A. Thomas, of Wellington, and M'Nab, of Hawkes Bay. Ft (cord of Shield Matches. It was in 1902 that the Ranfurly Shield was presented by Lord Ranfurly, and Auckland were honoured with first possession, aB they were regarded as champions that year. In 1904 the northerners lost the shield to WeDington in the first challenge made in that year. Subsequently Wellington withstood five challenges, but the trophy ■was then reoaptured by Auckland, who defended it successfully on 25 occasions. Taranaki secured possession by defeating Auckland in 1913, and remained holders until Wellington defeated them in 1914. In tho seasons from 1915 to 1918 no shield matches were played on account of tho war, but when the contests were resumed in 1919 Wellington held out against all-comers.. The shield remained in Wellington's keeping until a tour of the South was made in 1920, when Southland took possession. Jn the following year Southland withstood a- challenge from Ofago, but on bringing the trophy to Wellington they wore beaten, and Wellington held it until the following season, when Hawkes 8.-iy sprung a surprise. 1 Since ■ then the shield has remained in Hawkes Bay. All told, Auckland, vrhile in possession of the shield, withstood 25 challenges, j Twanakl 6, Wellington, 23, uid South.]

land 1. Hawkes Bay ha,ve withstood 17 challenges. Canterbury, Ofcago, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Buller, South Canterbury, Marlborough, Poverty Bay, Syoufch Auckland, Manawatu, HorowhenUva, Bay of Plenty, King Country, and Ne&on have been unsuccessful in their challenges for tho shield. Tha holders and the list of results since ifcha shield was presented are shown in the following table:— Auckland. 1904— v. Wellington, at Auckland. Lost 3-6. Wellington. 1904----v. Canterbury, at Wellington. Wifi 6-3. v. Otago, at Wellington. Won 15-15 J v. Southland, af Wellington. Won 14-3. ' 1905----v. Wairarapa, at Wellington. Drawn 3-3. v. Hawkes Bay, «t Well'ton. Won 11-3. v. Auckland, ai Wellington. . Lost 6-10. 1 Auckland. : 1906— V. Canterbury, at Auckland. Won 29-6. v. Taranaki, at Auckland. Won 18-5. v. Southland, at Auckland. Won 48-12. v. Wellington, at Auckland. Won 11-5. 190?----v. Wanganui, at Auckland. Won 6-5. v.. Buller, at Auckland. Won 21-0. v. Hawkes Bay, at Auckland. Won 12-3. 1808— ' v. S. Qaat'b'y, at Auckland. Won 27-0. v. Marjborough, at Auckland. Won 32-0. v. Wellington, at Auckland. Won 24-3. v. TaraSnaki, at Auckland. Won 9-0. v. Otago, at Auckland. Won 11-5. 1909----v. Poverty Boy, at Auckland. Won 12-5. v. Taranaki, at Auckland. Won 18-5. 1910— v. Hawkes Bay, at Auckland. Won 11-3. [ v. Wellington, at Auckland. Drawn 3-3. v. Taranaki, at Auckland. Won 16-9. v. Canterbury, at Auckland. Won 6-4. 1911— v. S. Auckland, at Auckland. Won 28-5. v. Pot. Bay, at Auckland: Won 29-10. 1912— v. Wellington, at Auckland. Won 12-0. v. Taranaki, at Auckland. Won 6-5. v. Otago, at Auckland. Drawn 6-5. 1913— v. Wellington, at Auckland. Won 6-5. y. Poverty Bay, at Auckland. Won 27-3. v. Taranaki, at Auckland. Lost 11-14. Taranaki. 1914— v. Wanganui, at'Hawera. Won 17-3. v. Manawatu, at N. Plym'th, Won 11 3. v.: Horowhenua, at Hawera. Won 14-3. v. Wairarapa, at Stratford. Won '22-3. v. Cant'bury, at N. Plym'th. Won 6-5. y. Southland, at N. Plym'th. Won 6-0. v. Wellington, at Stratford. Lost 6-12. Wellington. 1919— v. Oaniierbury, at Well'ton. Won 21-8. v. Taranaki, at Well'ton. Won 18-10. v. Canterbury, at Oh'ch. Won 23-9. v. Auckland, at W'gton. Won 24-3. v, Wanganui, at Wellington. Won 30-3. 1920— v. Canterbury, at Well'ton. Won 15-3. v. B. of Plenty, at Well'ton. Won 22-3. v. Taranaki, at Hawera. Won 20-9. v. Hawkes Bay, at Well'ton. Won 20-5. v. Auckland, at Auckland. Won 23-20. v. Taranaki, at Wellington. Won 16-5. v. Wanganui, at Well'ton. Won 20-14. v. Auckland, at Well'ton. Won 20-3. v. S. Cant'b'y, at Timaru. Won 32-16. v. Otago, at Dunedin. Won 16-5. v. Southland, at Invercargill. Lost 6-17. Southland. 1921----v. Otago, at Invercargill. Won 10-8. v. Wellington, at Well'ton. Lost 13-21 Wellington. 1921— v. Auckland, at Well'ton.. Won 27-19. v. Otago, at Wellington. Won 13-3. 1922— v. Ha-wfces Bay, at Well'ton. Lost 9-19. Hawke3 Bay. 1922— v. B. of Plenty, at Hastings. Won 17-16. v. King Country, at Napier. Won 42-8. 1923— v. Wairarapa, at Napier. Won 6-0. v. Wellington, at Napier. Won 10-6. v. Pov. Bay, at Hastings. Won 15-0. v. Cant'b'y, at Hastings. Won 9-8. v. Horowhenua, at Napier. Won 38-13. v. Auckland, at Napier. Won 20-5. 1924— v. Wairarapa, at Napier. Won 30-14. v. Pov. . Bay, at Napier. Won 46-10. v. Nelson, at Hastings. Won 35-3. v. Auckland, at Napier. Won 23-5. v. Manawatu, at Hastings. Won 31-5. 1925^— v. Wairarapa, at Napier. Won 22-3. v. Canterbury, at Napier. Won 24-13. v. Southland, at Napier. . Won 31-12. v. Taranaki, at Hastings. Won 28-3. Auckland's Record. It is getting on for three seasons since the Auckland representative team has been beaten' on its own ground, and the Hawkes Bay team has a similar record, so it is only natural that footballers generally should await the defeat of either team with a good deal more than usual interest, says . the Auckland "Star." Hawkes Bay's home record is looked upon as being safe for another year, for all the serious challengers for the Ranfurly Shiold in home matches have been. disposed of, and the two remaining dangerous opponents, Auckland and Wellington, are to be played in Auckland and Wellington respectively. In 1923, when Auckland started on its home-winning career and had inflicted heavy defeats on various touring teams, , Hawkes Bay's champion team came along and played an exhibition game for the benefit of the Soldiers' Memorial Fund, but failed to break the spoil. Last season the All Black team was' unexpectedly numbered among the list of tho AuoklarjJ victims in a home match. Yet in both those seasons Auckland was signally defeated by Hawkes Bay at Napier. The result has been increasing interest among footballers of all provinces in the approaching match between Hawkes Bay and Auckland at Auckland. Within the last fortnight visiting players have informed tha Aucklanders that they are fated for their Waterloo on 12th September, when they meet the Ranfurly Shield holders, and they appear to hold the opinion that Auckland will not only be beaten by Ha-wkes Bay, but that it will bo a great and • inglorious defeat. Secure in the knowledge that if beaten by Hawkes Bay they will be in good company, Auck- ; landers have the- temerity to remain: hopeful of "being able to sustain their j distinguished home record. At tho same time the game is recognised as one which will call for every resource that our team is capable of, and now that the player's have been well tried out in Hip, -games against Thames, Canterbury, King 1 Country, and Wa-ikjdo enthusiasts! ■would bo '&Ind to bop- the team selected 30 into snofinJ combination training for what is expected to bo the greatest game of tho f.eaaon, fly a, decision of the Hawks* Bay Rugby Union's MttiAgcnie&t Committal

the Hawkes Bay-Auckland matoh at Auckland will not be for the Eanfurly Shield. The reason has not been' made public, the Bay Union discussing the matter in committee at its meeting last week.—"Drop-Kick." N.S.W. Tour—Opening Match. The display given by New South Wales at Palmerston North last Saturday was one to inspire confidence in their ability to finish the tour with a good record. They are indeed fortunate in having auch a fine set of players for the tour. The presence of such players as E. J. Reid, 0. V.Morrissey, and T. Lawton, in the back-line must mean a whole lot of confidence. It was through no weakness in the defence of the Combined team that these players were able to carve opening* for themselves, but rather on account of the excellence of tho trio of players mentioned. Reid and Morrissey possess many of the qualities of Cooke, the All Black, and players of that calibre are capable of beating tho strongest defence. It was not by dummying that they got through, but by their quickness off the mark. They were generally past a couple of men, before the latter knew they had the ball. All «three players are speedy, nippy» and solidly built. Moreover, they ' think and think quickly. Good as they are those three could not defeat the homo team on their own, and praise must be given to the nippy little half, Snell, and to the forwards for their good advance work. The forwards, working as a barrage, their devastating rushes; clearing tho way for the backs to finish off. Setting a fast pace, the visitors maintained it, and they.had tho home forwards pretty well worn before half-time. Also, tho visiting forwards, looked little inferior in weight, and in the scrums with their extra man they easily held an advantage. The visiting wing-three-quarters mulled too many passes to be' called good, but they are both experienced players, and possess tons of speed. Toby, at fullback, did all that was required of him, quietly and neatly, and showed versatility by running and passing to his backs. He started the movement from which the final try was scored. The best of the New South Wales forwards were perhaps Thorn; Eigmey, and the "baby" Bryant, but the outstanding feature of the forward play, was the combined work. The visitors excelled as a pack, rather than as individuals. In the Combined team, Brophy was the pivot of the attack, until he went off. He played well, and it was difficult for Low, in a strange position to carry on with Brophy's work. Johnson made many openings, and was keen for work, but made the mistake of trying to go too far, and so a good opening was often quickly olosed. Porter played as a five- | eighth in the second spell, and provod a good link. He played well right I through, his backing up being very good, both in attack and defence. Akuira, at !■ half, and H. Wilson, centre-three-quar-ter, played ordinary- games, doing nothing outstanding. They were just "plodders." Walters started off very well, but as the dashing piny of the Blue forwards was maintained, the Wellington full-back had no end of trouble. Hickey made the best of about the only two chances he got, and each time a score almost resulted. Bailey had more chances and proved himself a first-class playor. It is interesting to note that he was preferred to Law, tho recent All Black, for the wing-three-quarter position. The Combined team's forwards disappointed. A great pack of heavy-weights had been gathered together, but they 'were soon tired out, and hardly had a gallop in them. K. Beid, the last year Petone senior, now resident in the Manawatu, was the best of tho lot. B. Wilson and Jacob showed up well in the loose, whilst Sly and M'Lenn worked hard in the tight. Taken all round it was a good game, and the standard set by the visitors augurs well for a successful tour. N.S.W. Manager. Mr. Harry Baker, who is managing the New South Wales team on the present tour, was in his day one of the leading swimmers of Australia and Now Zealand, Many years ago he won the 100 yards and 220 yards championships at an Australasian championship meeting held in Christchnrch. Among the New Zealandera' competing at thajfc meeting were "Tiny" Freyberg and the noted Rugby players, F. Roberts (Wellington) and Gr. Tyler (Auckland). It wa3 on that occasion that the Australian team first introduced water polo to New Zealand. Mr. Baker holds fastest time for the straight, clean, trudgeon stroke—6Bsec— and, although still affected by bad injuries received during the war, he is still a keen swimmer, capable of doing the hundred in 60sec. In tie Coogee tragedy of 1911 Mr. Baker figured prominently in rescue work, and such was' his bravery that he received a cheque for 1000 guineas from the citizens of Sydney, as well as the highest awards for life-Siaving—the Rojjd Life-saving Society's medal, the Royal Humane Society's medal, and the Albert modal. As a footballer Mr. Baker also gained honours, representing New South Wales and Australia on numerous occasions. He hns also done much as an official. Among other sports with which he has been associated is boxing. For five years ha was honorary official referee for the Sydney Stadium. Interests of Maoris. "The Maori Advisory Board is endeavouring to create more interest in Rugby among the Maoris in the South Island," said Mr. S. F. Wilson, in reporting to this week's meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, on a suggestion made to him by Mr. Parata, who was manager of the New Zealand Maori team which played last Saturday in Christchuroh. The president said that Mr. Parata had informed him that tho Marlborough Maoris were prepared to visit Chriotchurch, and play a match against the Canterbury Maoris on 26th September, the idea being that a South Island Maori side should be selected from the two teams, such side to be pitted against.tho Hawkes Bay E team on Wednesday, 29th September, m Christchurch. The Ha,wkes Bay B team would be playing a match on the West , Coast on 26th September, and the present arrangements were that it should corao to Christchurch on 28th September, leaving on the same evening to return to Hawkes Bay. Tho team would include G. Nepia and J. Mill, and if Hawkes Bay would hold the team for an extra day in Christchurch, in order to play the South Island Maoris, there was no doubt but that tho match would be a big attraction. The public would flock to .see Nepia. The match between tho Marlborough and Canterbury Maoris could be a curtain-raiser to <i representative match, in which tho provincial side would be engaged, and tho expanses of paying for the board of the Maoris could ho a charge on tho match with

which Simon secured the ball/and added another goal to Auckland's score. Auckland 2, Wellington 1. The frequent onslaughts of the Auckland forward line