RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 4

RUGBY LEAGUE

'NEW ZEALAND TEAM

COMMENT ON SELECTION

■ The New Zealand selectors, Messrs. J. Amos, H. Avery, and A. McClymont, have performed a severe task with credit to themselves, and the side chosen to represent New Zealand in the first Test with England will undoubtedly give general satisfaction to Rugby League followers.

Jack Hemi has won his place mainly on, his wonderful goal-kicking ability,l' The Englishmen have given away numerous penalty kicks in matches-played to date and the selcctorsl,in choosing Hemi evidently took this • into account. Lou Brown, of course,, was a certainty for one of the wing positions, and L. Scott, the 1932 international, holds his place on the opposite wing. W..■Tittleton, a powerful, straight runner, and solid defensive -player.'is a centre of great possibilities. Tittleton was-Auckland's best back against the Englishmen.

Kay is_one of A. E. Cookc's proteges, and- one of the best colts the game has produced for many years. He is a brilliant attacking five-eighth. Trevathan, who partners Kay, , is a mild surprise selection for the reason that he did.not make the Auckland team against England. However, he is a solid, all-round man and his great defensive powers may counter the English halves' attack. The game does not possess a scrum half up to the best international standard, but Powell is the obvious choice; his robustness for a game such as the Test is likely to be is possibly his main asset m conjunction with 'ability to get the ball away. . The forwards, ■ averaging .14 stone,! are the strength and at the same time, ■ the hope of the selection. Men have 1 been chosen who are rugged and who | will worry the giant English forwards all the way. The chance of winning i rests-in the ability ■of - the Ntew Zealand forwards to unbalance the opposition sufficiently to make them concentrate on scrummaging, and not allow them to combine with the back movements. -

If the Englishmen dominate the forward play then New Zealand is in for-a torrid time. ' However, with the rugged West Coasters, Calder, Glynn, ■and McNeight, in' the front row, the Englishmen wiLUbe. well matched. [Cootes, of Wellington, and Pickrang, 1 ar.e a ■ good '• second-row pair. Cootes I made a big impression on" the Englishmen in the Wellington game and thoroughly earned selection^ • , '

Steve Watene, the breakaway, is the most brilliant forward in the game in New Zealand today. Watene played full-back for New Zealand against the 1932 English Rugby League side, but for the past two years has played in the forwards. Summed up, the forwards appeal as the best pack New Zealand has fielded for many years, and should make a grand showing against the formidable Englishmen. It is of interest that four Maoris are in the side, Hemi, Cootes. Watene, and Pickrang. S. Watene will captain New Zealand.