RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 21499, 25 August 1933, Page 4

RANFURLY SHIELD

CTAGO MEETS CANTERBURY TO-MOHM CHALLENGERS SHOULD DO WELL At Lancaster Park, Christchurch, tomorrow afternoon, Otago’s Rugby fifteen will endeavour to wrest the Ranfurly Shield, the token of provincial supremacy in the national game, from Canterbury, the present holders of the trophy. Interest in the game throughout the dominion will be centred on this match, for it is generally anticipated that Otago, which among the major unions of Now Zealand lias not yet held the. shield, will on this occasion be a very strong challenger for the honour. Supporters of the game throughout (ho province will wish Mr J. Hore (captain) and his team the best of luck. The teams will take the field to-mor-row as follow; Canterbury.—Full-back, G. T. Nolan 11.11; three-quarters—G. F. Hart 11.8, C. J. Oliver 12.2, N. Dunshea 12.0; five-eighths—R. Hazelhurst 11.4, K. S. Mortlock 11.9; half-back, T. Mullan 11.0; forwards—A. I. Cottrell 13.5, J. Wade 11.12, A. Bowes 12.(5, A. H. Andrews 13.6, A. M. Hartnell 13.8, G. JHowell 13.2, J. K. Manchester 14.0, and R. K. King 13.6. Otago.—Full-back, J. Taylor 10.12; three-quarters—W. Dunne 11.0, H. Smith 11.10, \V. Allan 11.4; fiveeighths—R. M'Skimming 11.8, O. Gillies 11.0; half-back, H. Simon 10.6; forwards—H. Service 13.0, J. Here 13.0, W. Lucy 13.2, W. Abel 14.0, I'. Vorrath 14.2, W. Gibson 13.2, O. Chapman 12.12, and Macfarlane 13.0. Though Otago was beaten twice tins year by Southland there is good reason for believing that the team has a very good chance of lifting the trophy on this occasion. In the match at Invercargill, which Southland won rather easily, the Otago team was weak in the five-eighths line, enabling the opposition to penetrate without much trouble, but in the return game at Dunedin, won by Southland by one point, there was no such weakness with different men playing inside. On the run of the play, as a matter of fact, Southland was lucky to win, as Otago scored two tries to the other side’s one, the advantage being gained by Southland by means of a potted goal. The Otago forwards were more than a match for their heavier opponents, and, though the backs were reliable enough, they did not have quite enough combination io successfully clinch a number of chances. Their concerted work, however, was improving as the game went on, and, as the result of practice together since, they should be a much better attacking combination to-mor-row. As far as defence is concerned there need be no qualms on that score, for every member of the back division can be re)icd upon for rush-stopping and tackling. The Canterbury team to face Otago to-morrow is undoubtedly a strong combination. but on paper does not seem a brilliant side. Among the backs are some experienced players like Mullan and Oliver, who will be quick to size up any weaknesses in the opposing team and exploit them to the utmost. In the match against Southland last week Oliver seems to have had a day out and to have cut the Southland defence in half time after time. He is undoubtedly a versatile player, quick to seize an opening, and if Canterbury gets more of the ball the Otago backs will need to watch him. In the match against Southland at Dunedin the Otago backs stood the test well, and it was only because one back happened to bo out of position that Southland secured its only try of the day. In Hart and Dunshea the defenders of the shield have two good attacking wings, and it is to be hoped that Otago’s inside defence performs as it is capable of performing and prevents the ball from reaching them too often. Canterbury forwards outplayed the Southland pack last Saturday, but it is extremely doubtful if they will be able to do the same to-morrow. Otago’s forwards, who will take the field with a slight superiority in weight, are more of the typo to circumvent the fast bustling tactics of the Canterbury than were the heavier, slower vanguard of Southland. The clear-cut advantage which Canterbury obtained last week will not be obtained so easily against Otago, the forwards of which, as they showed in their match here a fortnight ago, are capable themselves of dashing, fast play in the loose. Canterbury forwards will be playing the 3-4-1 formation in the scrums, and Otago 3-2-3, and the Otago forwards have shown this year that they can hook the ball more cloanlv than teams using the 3-4-1 scrum.

The stage seems set for a great trial of skill and strength, and, win or lose, the Otago team should give a thoroughly good account of itself. The general feeling among those who follow the game closely is that the Otago forwards will be quite capable of holding the Canterbury pack, and that if the backs show the improvement they have promised the team will make a very big bid for success. From several accounts it seems that the breakaway forwards on the sides of the Canterbury 3-4-1 scrum were allowed a good deal, of latitude in offside play, and it is to be hoped that the referee for to-morrow will keep a strict yet impartial eye on that phase of the game. The game to-inorrow will be the fiftyfourth between the provinces. In the series Otago has won twenty-five, Canterbury twenty, and eight have been drawn. As a curtain-raiser to the shield match the Canterbury and Otago junior representative teams will play their annual game.