RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 74, 24 September 1927, Page 23

RUGBY LEAGUE

, WEDNESDAY'S MATCH WELLINGTON LACK CONDITION" (By "Selector.") Wellington were beaten in the match against Auckland on Wednesday more by conditions and the lack of fitness than toy lack of combination. Individually, the team was not greatly overshadowed, but the pace told on the local representatives. The Auckland manager (Mr. Minehan) said that- the northern team did not. play up to its usual standard, but, nevertheless, the spectators must have been impressed with their display. . The tackling of both sides was not of a very high standard, the only one to show up in this department being Hyland (Wellington). Combination in the Wellington team was conspicuous by its absence, while the "dummy" was also taken too often. Auckland's passing was a treat, and, no "doubt, it will i prove an object lesson to the players here. An innovation was the manner the Auckland full-back, Dufty, entered into the attack. Several times he sprinted from his position to join in a passing movement. Now that the players here have seen how the game should be played there is hope that in the future they will do better. Mr. Minehan considered that the Wellington team compared favourably with those in other centres. The Auckland manager spoke highly of the knowledge of the game possessed by Mr. Wrack and of the workmanlike manner in which he officiated. Notes on the Players. The following.are a few notes on the Wellington players:— Full-back: Collins, who plays for Hutt, tackles in the proper manner, kicks effectively, and has. pace that would do a "wing" credit. ij Throe-quarters: O'Neill (Albion), an ox-Christchurch player, takes some stopping. O'Neil docs not appear to bo going fast, but he manages to beat the opposition when he gets'into Mb stride. Corringe (centre) is a young player with a future. Ho has been the mainstay of the North team, and nover lets up until the whistle. Having overcome a tendency to hesitate and also hang on to tho ball he make a good scoring man. Halliday (Newtown) is one of the fastest backs playing football in New Zealand. Ho gathers the ball up well and has latoly proved himself a' tackier of tho first order. Ho is inclined to kick overmuch instead of using his speed First five-eighth: F. Nunn, the captain, is a general that uses all the fine points. His tricky side-stepping has the- opposition guessing, and whilst hard to tacklo ho would, also tacklo a house. Socond' fivo-oighth: Hyland, from Auckland, is a player who tackles well, lie has played iv various positions for Ncwtowu, but shines particularly at second nve-eighths. Knowing tho wnys of the Auckland players he proved an asset to,tho Wellington representatives. In Gregory, Hyland had a hard man to mark and acquitted himself well. Half-back: Brace is a battler with brains. He is always pegging away, and was a thorn in tho Auckland side. Forwards: Bowen heads tho list as a scorer in Wellington League. Ho usually plays in tho back division, but ho has proved a splendid breakaway forward. Posspsßod of rare pace ho also wears a pair of goal kicking boots, and gave a good display of how to pilot the. leather over the bar when within shooting distance. Harding, hookor, is a willing worker who is always to the forefront when there is something doing. He is not a heavweight, but. he puts all he has got into it and tackles with vim. G. Love, who stands 6ft 2in and turns the scales at 14 stone, is a vigorous forward, with a good fend and dribbles well. Ho is one of the best forwards Wellington has produced, and is well worthy of the honour of representing the North Island. Green is a good dribbler, useful kick, and handles the ball as a back. When in possession he goes forward ivith all tho sang froia of a "tank." He plays a. sterling game, and is a deadly tacklor. Ho has represented Wellington before and comes up smiling. Owine to jllness ho had to stand down in the Auckland match. Mooney, an ex-Canterbury junior representative, is possessed of pace and stamina. He has got tho weight to foTn "V scrum > a°d speed in the loose. Mooney 13 always up with the ball and he will worry the opposing backs when he does nqt tacklo them V STv ar«^ ayS,a trier to tho finishK. M«.Randall, as a breakaway for-' J" d- P! ars a splendid game and will min?f ? g8 moTi»S-- Trained to the around' 5° P°ssesses speed to be 2 thZ BCrum in quick time and i Ttl \, 1C °PP°sing half if his side is not getting the ball from the scrum, well handles and dribbles