RUGBY TO-MORROW

Evening Star, Issue 22414, 11 August 1936, Page 10

RUGBY TO-MORROW

RAHFURLY SHIELD MATCH HANAWATU'S CHALLENGE FOR TROPHY CARISBROOX IN GOOD ORDER The stage will be set at Carisbrook to-morrow afternoon for the representative game between Otago and Manawatu, in which the Otago team will make its third appearance in defence of the Ranfurly Shield. The game will be commenced at 3.15 in order that as many as possible may attend, and, if the weather continues fine, a very large attendance is expected. Both teams .playing to-morrow have not been beaten this year. Manawatu is never an easy side to defeat, and is hopeful of making a strong bid _ for success. The visitors arrived last night from Oamaru, and this morning had a run at. Carisbrook. The teams will take the field as follows : MANAWATU. Full-back, A. Welden 14.0. Three-quarters—H. Waugh 12.0, S. Bramwell 12.2, R. Gillespie 12.4. Five-eighths—C. Fletcher 11.4, J. Thurston (captain) 12.0. Half-back, Brinsden 12.5 . ■ Forwards—M. Sutton 13.8, H. Crawford 13.0, W. Sullivan 13.6, W. Powell 13.6, R. M'Kenzie 15.0, L. Findlay 13.5, A. Williams 13.5, J. Fifadlay 12.6. OTAGO. Full-back, J. M. Taylor (Pirates) 12.1. Three-quarters—W. A. Black (Southern) 13.3, H. Smith (Southern) 10.5, J. M. Watt (University) 12.6. Five-eighths—D. Trevatban (Southern) 11.9, C. C. Gillies (University) 11.7, Half-back—C. Saxton (Pirates) 10.0. Forwards—G. M’Donald (Southern) 13.8, J. Campbell (Alhambra) 11.6, J. Here (Southern) 12.7, W. Parkhill (Pirates) 13.0, E. Murphy (Kaikorai) 13.6, R. Neiper (Southern) 10.9, L. Niven (Southern) 13.0, and E. Valentine (University) 12.0.

la two particularly hard games so far this season the Otago team has made a very good impression, and there is good reason for believing, that, playing for the first time on a dry ground, it will give a, very good account of itself. There are four changes in the Otago. team, Saxton taking the place of Simon (who is being given a spell) at half-back, and Campbell, Murphy, and Neiper taking the places of Quaid, Vorrath, and Green in the forwards. These changes should not weaken the' pack in the slightest, and more ball should be obtained from the scrums, for Campbell is generally recognised as the best hooker in Dunedin. Murphy, who was a regular member of the fine Otago pack last year, is an excellent scrum forward, while Neiper is more of the roving type and clever at anticipating the trend of play. Otago is fortunate in having a second half-back of the calibre of Saxton, who is capable of giving smart service to his backs. In the second spell of the Southland match, on a particularly heavy ground, the Otago backs showed good combination, and, if the ground is dry to-mor-row, they should be able to use their pace td advantage. ■. Seen at practice this morning, the Manawatu team looked, a fit and likely side. The forwards, judging by the weights supplied, have an aggregate of over 107 stone against the Otago pack’s 99 stone odd. The forwards appear to have pace as well as weight and may trouble the local pack in the tight work. Included in their ranks is M'Kenzie, a member of the All _ Blacks of last year, who is credited with 15 stone and who looks that weight. The backs, who carry more weight than those of Otago, are reported to have good understanding and to be very capable in defence. It is doubtful, however, if they have the speed of the Otago rearguard, and this may prove nn important factor in the game. Manawatu’s record this year is as follows:—v. Wanganui, won by 21 to 19; v. Horowhenua, won by 44 to nil; y. North Otago,' won by 17 to 11. Otago and Manawatu have met- on three previous occasions, the games resulting as follows:—1905, at Dunedin, Otago won by 4 to 0; 1906, at Palmerston North, Manawatu won by 6 to 3; 1923, at Dunedin, Manawatu won by 20 to 11 In 1926'the Manawatu and Horowhenua Unions amalgamated under the title of Manawhenua Union. Otago’s games with Manawhenua resulted as follow: —1927, at Levin, Otago Won by 12 to 11; 1928, at Dunedin, Otago won hy 11 to 9; 1931, at Palmerston North, Otago won by 16 to 11. Several years ago the Manawatu and Horowhenua Unions separated again. As a cutain-raiser to the match a game will be played between the A grade primary schools’ teams, Kensington and Arthur Street. Mr L. M. Wright has been appointed referee for the shield match. - The box plan for stand seats will close at noon to-morrow at Begg’s. The Bailway Department announces that, for the convenience of those who wish to attend the match to-morrow, the usual 4.42 Dimedin-Palmerston train will be delayed till 5.40. The usual 4.48 Dunedin-Clinton train will he delayed to leave Dunedin at 4.55 and Caversham at 5.5.