PLAYERS OF RANK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1930, Page 11

PLAYERS OF RANK

REPRESENTATIVE SIDE

(By "Drop-Kick.")

The selectors of tlie British team for New Zealand have been compelled to amend their preliminary choice very considerably, but it appears that they have succeeded in finding an excellent team. Some of the players are internationals of fairly long standing, while others have come to the front in the last two seasons. 'The reports from England indicate that practically all of thoso selected have been under consideration for international honours. Only four of the backs —Bonnor, Jennings, Knowles, and Poole—have not yet represented their country in international matches, while there is only one forward —Hodgson—who has not played in internati nal football. An interesting point about the representation is that only one of Scotland's players is included. V

"I am very pleased to such a representative teai. selected for the tour," remarked Mr. S. 8. Deari, ehair<nian of the New Zealand Bugby Union, to-day. "The team on paper appears to be a very excellent one, and a much stronger one than we .anticipated it would be possible to get away. It is stronger than Bedell-Sivright's team, practically every man being an international. We were told by England that unless they could send a truly representative team they would not send one at all. lam very impressed with the forwards particularly, and New Zealand will iiave to gird up their loins to win. . A very interesting aeries of matches should bo the result."

Bassett plays for Penarth and represented Wales in four internationals last season.

Bonner, of Bradford, is the Yorkshire full-back, and has been in the running several times for England's team.

Aarvold, a brilliant player from Cambridge University, plays for Headingley, and has represented England since 1928.

Beeve, another Cambridge University man, is a member of the Harlequins, and played his first international game for England against France last season.

Morley, of the Newport Club, represented Wales in all four international matches last season.

Novis, of Blackheath, has been a conspicuous member of the Army team, and played for England against Scotland and France last season.

Murray, of the Wanderers Club, represented Ireland for the first time in 1927 and again last seasonl

Crowe, of Lansdowne, has gained his international cap for Ireland this season. •

Jennings, of Bedruth, is a Cornwall representative and has played in .England's trials.

Jones-Davies, formerly of flanibridge, plays for London Welsh, and has gained his cap for Wales. Knowles, of Birkenhead Park, is a Cheshire representative who was, in England's trials this season. Spong and Sobey are a fine combination for old Millhillians as well as England this season. Spong played his first international against France last season.

Poole is a Cardiff player who has not yet played for Wales. Wakofield, of the Harlequins, Cambridge and •E.A.1., has represented England in over thirty international matches since- 1920. His is a record for. an English player. ■ Bew, of Exeter, Blaekheath and Devon, has represented the Army, and gained his cap for England last season. Parker, a well-known Swansea player, has represented Wales since- 1924, Welsh, a member of the Hawick Club, has represented Scotland since 1927. •

Black, of Oxford University, is a South African who won his way into England's team this season. Howard, another Oxford University player, also gained international honours this season, playing for England. Dunne, of Lansdowne, represented Ireland in the four internationals last year. Farrell, of Bective Rangers, is a wellknown Irish international, having played for his s country, since 1926. Beamish, of Coleraine, is a prominent Air Force player, and has played for Ireland since 1925.

Hodgson, of, the Northern Club, is a Northumberl'Vnd representative.

O'Neill, of Queen's University, won his way into Ireland's team this season. Ivor Jones, the Llanelly player, is an old' international, having represented Wales since 1924.

Wilkinson, of the Halifax Club, gained his cap for England last year. Prentice, of Leicester, has been in the English side for three years. Martiudale, a member of the Kcndal Club, played his first international football for England last yeas, -