OTAGO V. WANGANUI

Evening Star, Issue 22106, 13 August 1935, Page 8

OTAGO V. WANGANUI

INTERPROVINCIAL RUGBY TOMORROW PROSPECTS FOR THE GAME The fine performance of the Otago team in the first two representative matches has aroused more than usual interest in, the game this year, and there should be a good attendance at Carisbrook to-morrow to see the match with the touring Wanganui team, which arrived last night from the north. While the Otago team is expected to show a still further improvement to-morrow, it is realised on the other hand that the opposition of Wanganui will be Wronger than that of Buller and Southland, defeated respectively by Otago by 20 to 0 and by 20 to 3.

Ten games have been played between Otago and Wanganui, Otago winning eight and Wanganui two. The first match of the series was played in 1904 at Dunedin, when Wanganui won by sto 4. The next match at Wanganui in 1906 was won by Otago by 26 to 5, and in 1911 and 1912, at Dunedin and at Wanganui respectively, Otagowon by 18 to 12 and by 19 to 3. Eight years elapsed before the teams met again in 1920 at Dunedin—when Otago won by 34 to 19, the winners’ score to that date being the highest registered in these games. In 1923 Wanganui had their second victory on their home ground by 14 to 12. Nineteen years thus separated Wanganui’s victories. The Dark Blues won the 1925 match at Dunedin by 31 to 14, the 1929 match at Wanganui by 22 to 20, the 1930 match at Dunedin by 34 to _8 (the biggest win against'Wanganui), and last year’s match at Wanganui by 13 to 8. Wanganui has never been a side to take cheaply, as the closeness of the scoring in some of the above games show. Those who saw the Otago team in action against Southland at Invercargill on Saturday last will be satisfied that the team is capable of putting up a very fine showing to-morrow. At Invercargill the team showed more dash than has been the case for four or five years. As the ‘ Southland Times ’ said: “ Otago’s team in Saturday’s game was an outstanding one. The forwards were capable of subduing and finally outplaying Southland’s strong pack, and the backs, speedy and resourceful, displayed that initiative and understanding which means so much to successful combination. Their play was a revelation to many Southlanders, and showed out in marked contrast to the drab work, tardy at times, of the slow-moving Maroons.” The Otago team to play tomorrow is exactly the same combination that defeated Sotuhland, except that M'Donald, who has a slightly injured ear, is being given a rest and being replaced by the Union forward Lester, who played well during the club season. H. Simon is again

captain, a position he has filled well in the two games so far played. The Wanganui side for to-morrow is a young and keen one, with a number of very promising players, and is confident of giving a very good account of itself. The players had a run at Carishrook this morning, and appeared to be fit and well. Of special interest will be the first appearance of Bullock-Douglas, wing three-quarter, who was a member of both the 1932 and 1934 All Blacks in Australia. The forwards are. reported to be a solid combination. The teams will line out to-morrow as follow: WANGANUI. Full-back, Connolly. Three-quarters. Taiuru, Campbell, Bullock-Douglas. Five-eighths, Jones (first), Petersen (second). Half-back, Drum. Forwards: Front row.—Clay, ■W. Thompson, and Murphy. Middle row.—Hutchinson, Davidson, James, Cave. Back iw, Lockett (captain). Reserves: Backs. Welsh, M'Casshin; forwards—Firmin, Wally, Thompson. •OTAGO. Full-back, W. MacFarland. Three-quarters.—A, C. Procter, H. Smith, J. Gold. Five-eighths, H, Martin, C. C, Gillies. Half-back, H. Simon (captain). Front row.—J. Lester, W. Laney, C. Quaid. Middle row, L. Niven, A. Parkhill. Back row.—J. Green, O. Chapman,. R. Neiper. Reserves: Backs.—Saxton, Trevathan, Taylor; forwards; Noreland, Murphy. < The team will meet at Carisbrook at 5 p.m. to-day. Mr F. Sw'ete will be referee. RECORD OF GAMES. Following is the record of games played between Otago and Wanganui : 1904.—At Dunedin, Wanganui won by 5 to 4. 1906.—At Wanganui, Otago won by 26 to 5. 1911.—At Dunedin, Otago won by 18 to 12. 1912—At Wanganui, Otago won by 19 to 3. 1920.—At Dunedin, Otago won by 34 to 19. . ' 1923.—At Wanganui, Wanganui won by 14 to 12. . 1925—At Dunedin, Otago won by 31 to 14. 1929. —At Wanganui, Otago won by 22 to 20. 1930. —At Dunedin, Otago won bv 34 to 8. 1933.—At Wanganui, Otago won by 13. to 8.