MAORI TEAMS CHOSEN

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 108, 9 May 1935, Page 7

MAORI TEAMS CHOSEN

NEPIA INCLUDED

The.Maoris, take .precedence in the order of trials to be played this season with a view to selecting the New Zealand Rugby football team for the tour of the Home countries, and for their] trial at Hamilton on Wednesday, May 22, the teams have been selected. It is styled a North v. South match, though East.Coast, Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, and.Bay of.Plenty players fill all but one "place, in the "South" team, .while Wellington, and nearby districts are grouped with. others in the "North" team.' Only one player from the South. Island has been included in the selections, and some-sur-prise has-been expressed at the noninclusion of Hohapata, a former Bay of Plenty representative now stationed in Dunedin. It. is understood, ho\yeyer, that Hohapala, who was regarded as the. best wing-three-quarter in the Maori team last year, .would not have been able to set leave for the match, and.it is expected, that he will get his chance later.

One of the features of. the selection is that G. Nepia,. the famous full-back of the 1924-25 New Zealand team, is included as full-back for "South." It can be taken from this that Nepia is again a candidate for higher honours. The Maori trial is being played not only for the benefit of the New Zealand, selectors but also to assist the Maori selectors in the choice of their team for the tour to Australia. The Maori selectors are:—Messrs. Harding Leaf (Toherau), Ariki Takarangi (Taihauauru)', Thos. French (Tairawbiti), andW.T. Parata (Waipounamu). Mr. Kingi Tahiwi, secretary, of the Maori Advisory Board, has been appointed manager of ..the Maori, team to go to Australia. . ' ;

The teams for the trial are:—

North Maoris.—Full-back, J. Hemi (Wairarapa); three-quarters, J. Wilson (Waikato), G. Ngaia (Taranaki), W. Phillips (King Country); five-eighths, T. Robinson (Tarariaki), T. Chase (Wanganui), half-back, W. Parata (Horowh'enua); forwards, M. Murphy (Wanganui), H. Whiu (North Auckland), McDonald (Horowhenua), L. Kawe (King Country), T. Berghan (North Auckland), G. Harrison ,(Taranaki), J. Allison (North Auckland), and E. Ropata (Wellington).- Emergencies: Back, J. Rata (Auckland); forward, M. Wharerau (North Auckland).

South Maoris.—Full-back, G. Nepia (East Coast): three-quarters, C. Smith (Hawke's Bay), G. Pepere (East Coast), J. McDonald (Marlborough): five-eighths, Maka Mcßae (Bay of Plenty), P. Ka'ua■ (Poverty Bay); halfback, H. Harrison (East Coast); forwards, John Kershaw (East Coast), Martin Mcßae (Bay of Plenty), Ra Paenga (East Coast), T. Whiteley (Bay of Plenty), T. Reed (Hawke's Bay).:P. Smith (Hawke's Bay). B. Rogers (Poverty Bay), and H. Mataira (Hawke's Bay). Emergencies: Back, I. Pohatu (Poverty Bay); forward, Kotuku Reedy (East Coast). ■•.■■-.■

Permission has been' granted for Maori teams representing King Country and Waiikato to play a match as a curtain-raiser to the trial.