RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 23

RANFURLY SHIELD

TODAY'S CHALLENGE

NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

The Ranfurly Shield fever seems to have struck Otago and Southland very severely, and apparently no event in recent times has been so freely discussed and so eagerly anticipated as today's interprovincial Rugby, match at Dunedin. The challengers built up high hopes, *but, the defenders were never shaken in' their firm belief that they had the coveted "trophy in' safe keeping. , .',.'■•

According to. a special message to "The Post" from Dunedin, it was considered that Otago had such a solid and dashing pack of •forwards—all members of which have previously worn the dark blue jersey—that even under wet conditions its supporters would not hear of it being beaten by the maroons. Hore and Vorrath, both New Zealand representatives, have been playing right up to form. Niven, Quaid, McDonald, Parkhill, and Green have all represented the South Island, and Black gets his jersey for the first time. All the. others have gained representative honours previously. Smith has represented the South Island-and New Zealand, and Simon and Trevathan have played for the South Island. .

Until the last few weeks Southland supporters did not appear sanguine of the chances of their team, but the maroons' stock rose considerably as the match drew closer..■ Southland has indulged in special* Sunday training for some weeks. Half of the pack is from the country. This is in contrast to the Otago team, all members of which are drawn from town. ~.-■'

While the Southland defence was regarded as solid, there was no doubt

that Otago would have it on the challengers for pace. It was a moot point whether Southland would be able to hold its own in the set scrums.

Irwin, in a lock position, was a member of the Southland team last season, as was Ward, the other lock. Metcalfe and, George are the most experienced' members of the pack. Metcalfe has represented New. Zealand, and George: was one of the unlucky ones in the" All Black trials last season._ ; Dunstan (back row) is probably the fastest forward in the side, which has Sherriff as hooker. * Soper, another country; forward, turns the scale at 14st 71b. Parker comes from the northern country district of Southland. : : / ■ ;1

The Southland backs appeared solid rather than brilliant, and it was expected that there would be \. nothing half-hearted about their defence; -,Mitchell (All Black three-quarter) was fancied as' centre-three-quarter, but the Southland selectors elected to play him on the wing; .Sharp formerly of Wellington,: is a "solid defensive player: with "long experience of representative football for Wairarapa and Southland. Thornbury .(a countryi player), on the opposite wing to Mitchell, represented Southland last season. Hamilton and Wesney are both sound five-eighths.

Ten of the Southland team are town players and five country.