Australian Team Selected

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 August 1946, Page 9

Australian Team Selected

Players for New Zealand Tour SYDNEY, Aug. 5. ’ The selectors to-night announced the following Australian Rugby Union team to tour New Zealand: — Full-back: R. Rankin (New South Wales). Wing-three-quarters: J. Stone, C. Eastes (New- South Wales), J. McLean (Queensland). Centre three-quarters: P. Johnson, T. Allan, M. Howell, T. Mcßride (New South Wales). Five-eighths: E. Cremin, D. Bannon (New South Wales). ’ Half-backs: C. Burke (New South Wales), B. Schulte (Queensland). Forwards: W. McLean (captain), G. Cooke, A. Livermore, R. McMaster, K. Hodda (Queensland), G. A. Gourlay (Victoria), W. Dawson, E. Tweedale, E. Freeman, A. Buchan, P. Hardcastle, C. Windon, K. S. Windon (vice-captain) (New South Wales). Dr. W. H. Ward (Victoria) is appointed manager, and Mr. H. Crowe (New South Wales) assistant manager.

It was announced at yesterday’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union at Wellington that the Australian team, instead of coming in one special aeroplane on August 18, would be brought by four different aeroplanes between August. 16 and 23. This may make it, necessary to cancel the first match against North Auckland on August 21.'

Notes on Individual Players (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) SIDNEY, Aug. 6. The selectors in New Zealand of the Australian Rugby Union team, which flies to New Zealand on August 18 will be the manager, the assistantmanager and the captain. The members will undergo a medical test before leaving Australia. Individual notes on the selected players are as follows, the selected players being from New South Wales unless otherwise stated:—

R. Rankin, full-back and useful three-quarter; age 31; weight 13st; sft 10in, has played for New South Wales and Australia since 1934; toured New Zealand in 1936, was in the 1939 team to tour England; has a distinguished war record. J. Cremin, five-eighth; 23; 12st 6in; sft lOin; considered Australia’s best five-eighth sined Tommy Lawton; led New South Wales in Queensland last year. T. Allan, outside centre; 19; list 61b, sft 9in; already spoken of as Cyril Towers’ successor; kicked 29 goals and scored 12 tries in this, his first year’s grade football. P. Johnson, inside centre and fiveeighth; 21; list 71b; sft Ilin; changed [from five-eighth at the request of the State selectors.

D. Bannon, five-eighth; 23, 12st 71b; sft Bin; represented New South Wales against Queensland. C. Burk, half-back; 20, lOst; sft Gin; strong tackler; reserve in 19,44; represented his State in Queensland this year. B. Schulte. (Queensland), halfback and five-eighth; 28; list 121 b; sft Sin; has represented his State; prisoner in Malaya during the war® M. Howell, centre; 19; lOst; sft Sin: best display in Saturday's match. T. Mcßride, centre and winger; 19; list 71b; sft Sin; speedy and penetrating. C. Eastes, winger; 20; 13st; sft Ilin; has speed, weight and youth, but needs to improve his ground play and kicking. Fastest Winger j. Stone, winger; 23; list; sft 7in; probqbly the fastest winger in the side. J, McLean (Queensland), winger; 24, 13st; sft Ilin; brother of W. McLean and also Doug. McLean, former Queensland representative; may prp.ve the best winger. \r. McMaster (Queensland), front row; 24; l(>st; sft Ilin; regarded as the forward find of the season; tireless worker; strong in the rucks. K. Hodda (Queensland), hooker, 22, 12.10, 5«9; sound hooker, good forward. W. Dawson, hooker, 22, 12.8, 5.7; also useful in line-put. E. Freeman, second row and front row, 23j 14.7, 6.1; utility forward; rugged player; represented New South Wales against Queensland last year. E. Tweedalg. front row; 24, 12.6, 6.1; considered the ideal front-row forward.

P, Hardcastle, second row; 27, 15.9, 6.2; NeW South Wales in

1938 as a breakaway, and is a sound utility man. Line-out Specialist. G. Cooke (Queensland), second row; 34, 15.0, 6.2; line-out specialist; represented Australia in New Zealand in 1932 and in South Africa in 1933. ' , , W. McLean (Queensland), lock and breakaway: 28, 14.2, 6.1; one ol a family of whom the father and three sons all represented Queensland; captain of the State team; went to England in 1939. G. Gou.rlay (Victoria), lock; 21, 14.10- 6.4; impressive in line-outs. A.’Buchan, lock; 21, 13.5, 6.0; unequalled ,in Australia for cover defence; also speedy; second year as New South Wales representative. t K. Windon, breakaway; 29, 13.10, 6.0; toured New Zealand in 1936; represented Australia against South Africa in 1937; regarded as an ideal type for a tour. c. Windon, breakaway; 23, 13.iz, 5.11; brother of K. Windon; when fit -regarded as the best breakaway in Australia; won his place despite the effects of malaria and injuries. A.Livermore (Queensland), breakaway; 27;« 12.7, 5.10; tireless and strong on defence; leading Queensland goal-kicker. Kiwi Tourists Disband .(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 5. The Kiwi Rugby team is' no more. At a brief but pleasant function yesterday members of the tgam were bidden farewell by their leaders before leaving for their various destinations.

Mr. S. S. Dean, on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union, thanked the players for what they had done during the tour, and wished them the best of luck for the future.

Major V. J. Butler spoke on behalf of Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Andrews, manager of the Kiwi team, who was unavoidably absent. The team captain, Major C. K. Saxton, and the vipecaptain, Major J. Finlay, thanked the team for loyalty and splendid play throughout -the tour. Major Saxton impressed upon the men the need for carrying the Kiwi style of play into their home clubs and unions.