THE "CENTURIONS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 42, 18 August 1939, Page 4

THE "CENTURIONS"

RUGBY CLUB FORMED

PLAYERS OF THE PAST

Players of the past and younger men of promise will comprise the "Centurions," a Rugby Club that has just been formed in Wellington, on somewhat similar lines to the Auckland Barbarians Club, which has met with outstanding success in its few matches to date. Some years ago the idea was first mooted hi Wellington and then, after the players in Auckland formed the Barbarians Club, it was thought that Wellington ought to try and organise a club and control a similar team in Wellington. The moving spirit behind the idea was Mr. -M. McG. Cooper, former Scottish International , and present captain of the Wellington provincial side. Though the matter has been discussed informally for the last two years no definite move was made locally until about a month ago. As a result of a number of requests for the formation of the club Mr. J. Prendeville, former chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, and at present a member of the New Zealand Rugby Council, called a meeting of old-time players and representatives of clubs and went through a list of old, representatives and officials. As a result of the meeting about, thirty persons who it was thought might be interested were approached. At this meeting it was definitely decided to form the club and the committee set up is as follows: —Chairman, Mr. J. Prendeville; secretary, Mr. H. R. C. Wilde (New Zealand University representative); committee. Messrs. A. Gilchrist (New Zealand Army representative), B. Algar (former Wellington and New Zealand representative), J. Parker (1924 All Black), and F. D. Kilby (1928 All Black), and M. McG. Cooper. NAMING OF CLUB. Some difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable name for the club and eventually the suggestion of Mr. Cooper, "Centurions," was adbpted. The colours have not yet been finalised; reports are being awaited from all clubs as to their colours so as to avoid any clashing. The idea behind the scheme is that the club should play two or three matches at the end of each season and not interfere with club games and interprovincial matches; and in particular to play outside matches where local districts need assistance. Players eligible for selection are ex-New Zealand and provincial representatives— not necessarily of Wellington—and players who have given loyal services to their clubs and have not managed to win representative honours/ In addition, players—young and promising— will be given consideration. Players selected by the committee to represent the club will automatically become members of the club. On Tuesday night the committee will wait on the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union with a view to gaining affiliation. The "Centurions" have already offered to play a Wellington side on September 2, and an invitation has also been received to send a team to Taihape on September 9. No more than two matches will be played this season, and in future seasons the maximum number of games will be three. NOT FOR TROPHIES. One rule of the club is, that no team organised by or selected to represent the club shall play for any trophy or other prize, nor play in any competition for which points are awarded. Some of the players who have intimated their willingness to play for the "Centurions" are J, Watt (former New Zealand representative), A, Jamieson (former Auckland representative), C. Robins, F. H. Fraser'Smith, and D. Thompson (former; Wellington representatives), and A, H. Andrews (former Canterbury representative). Replies are being awaited from about twentyfive other able players, and the committee is optimistic of putting into the field a fine side.