RUGBY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12570, 4 June 1935, Page 7

RUGBY

ALL BLACK TRIAL MATCH

NEPIA IN GREAT FORM

FAST GAME ON WET GROUND.

Tlie elect of Poverty Bay, Bay of . Plenty and East Coast .Rugby, play- * xes inet at the Oval yesterday in the preliminary All Black trial match held for the purpose of selecting a combined team to meet Hawke’s Bay-Bush at Napier on Thursday. Though conditions were right against fast interesting Rugby, the teams provided a dashing exhibition and, on .a dry ground; it would have been a really great game.

A feature of the play' was the reappearance of George Nepia, the fariiotis All Black, who, on yesterday’s display, must be conceded an excellent chance of a second trip to the Old Country. Nepia’s form was excellent and all his work bore the hallmark of a master. His line-kicking was marvellously accurate and his tackling was practically as deadly as ever, while he provided a. brilliant climax by kicking a goal from the field in the last minute, a goal, actually, which one can hardly conceive another player in the whole Dominion securing. In addition Nepia, converted the three tries secured by his team, so that he was directly responsible for 10 out of the 19 points scored by the Probables against the 9 which came the way of the Possibles

.31. Davies, the opposing fallback, is clearly a player with a . future and lie was unlucky to run up against a player such as Nepia. In most trials elsewhere Davies could have considered himself unlucky to have missed a further chance. The host wing-ihree-qunrters were undoubtedly C. McKinley and P. Goldsmith, while R. Lees, though having to leave the Held fairly early, gave ample proof that he is a, player of great possibilities. E. Howell, formerly of Poverty Bay, gave a dashing display and so also did A. Wiebb, who was associated with Howell in the five-eighths line. T. Reedy, especially, and Wi Bonn Both played well and must have been *»■ well in the running for the final so- ® lection. There was little between the respective halves, Pot-aka. and W. McKinley, though the former’s habit of sending out rather slow passes mustbe a. definite handicap when he comes lip against fast-breaking forwards. Due allowance, of course, must he made for the'greasy ball, but, on the day, McKinley, impressed rather more than his vis-a-vis. • G. Reedy, C. Nevth, Porohiti, L. Martin, M. 'Wright, W. Matheson, J. Kershaw and Broderick appeared the best of the forwards, but practically all in thi-s division played well. The teams took the field as follows : Possibles (Blue) —-Pullback M. Davies (Bay of Plenty) ; three-quarters, (L-. McKinley (Poverty. Bay), A. WebT ster (Poverty Bay) and M. Howell (Bay of Plenty) ; five-eighths, T. Wi Repa (East Coast) and T. Reedy (East Coast) ; halfback, Potaka (Bay of Plenty), captain; forwards, B. Rogers (Poverty Bay), M.. Wright (Poverty Bay), J. Kershaw (EastCoast), L. Martin (Poverty Bay); Broderick (Bay of Plenty), R. R-ogcrs (Poverty Bay), W. Matheson (Poverty Bay) and T. MeClutchie (East Coast). ’ Probables (Red). —Fullback, G. Nepia (East Coast), captain; threequarters, P. Kutia (East Coast), R. Lees (Bay' of Plenty), and P. Goldsmith (East Coast) ; five-eighths, A. Webb (Poverty Bay) and E. Howell (Bay of Plenty) ; half-back, W. McKinley (Poverty Bay) ; forwards, 31. Porohiti (Bay of Plenty), G. Ready' (East Coast), C. Newth (Bay of Plenty), R. Bantu (East Coast), W. Steel (Poverty Bay), E. Joyce (Bay o fPleUty) and M. Stirling (East Coast). HOW THE PLAY-WENT. After an indecisive opening, a good kick by' Lees placed the Reds on the attack and W\ 3lcKinlcy T shot the ball out to 3Yebh, to E. Howell, to Lees who was solidly tackled By Davies. Attempts to open up hack play, by both sides, proved fruitless, largelyowing to the greasy ball, and then Nepia failed to gather in a short kick though he recovered in time to beat R. Rodgers and MeClutchie who followed through fast. Soon after Nepia, with Goldsmith giving support, chocked a promising dribbling rush by the Blue forwards and then was temporarily laid out. 3Yi Repa short-punted neatly, but Nepia cleared Avell and play- was indecisive for a few minute-’. Webb then broke away in fine style and sent E. Howell away, the latter cutting through brilliantly with Loos and Webb in support. Davies dived at Howell who sent on to Lees. C". 3rcKinley came across field frith a great- tackle and the hall rolled -over the line, Webb following through to touch down. Nepia- converted, making the scores : Probables 5, Possibles 0. Shortly after, mainly by dribbling rushes, the Red forwards again invaded Blue territory and some tight work ensued. Webster received a, knock which compelled him to retire for a short time. Nepia attempted to goal a penalty but the kick fell

short and Davies' cleared to halfway. Wu Repa short-punted neatly, but Nepia regained the lost grbund with a good kick. Back swept the Blues and from a scrum near the Red line Potaka drove through in good style. A penalty then gave the Blues a c lance and Davies missed narrowly with a -good kick.

Webster left the field at this stage and was replaced by Dovi.

BLUES OPEN SCORING

T. Reedy, Wi Repa and B. Rodgers combined in a slashing run from mide hut Lees marked well. Soon after Potaka snapped up in loose play and, punting cleverly, secured again to dodge several would-be tacklers and score wide out. Davies failed to convert.—Probables 5, Possibles 3. A long punt by B. Rodgers was nicely fielded by Nepia who lined at midfield. The Red back shot away and ■ Webb short-punted, only for Nepia to find touch neatly. Dovi made a giood break through and sent the hall to 31 light who, however was ■ offside. The Reds finally drove hack the attack and then, when Wi Repa knock-od-on in attempting to gather a bad pass, some tight- work followed. A long punt was collected by Nepia who found touch neatly. The Blues -opened up the game with good passing, but Goldsmith made a solid dash and Kutia broke away, after picking up a cross-kick nicety, but was forced into touch by Davies. 13. ."Rodgors for the Blues and Porohiti for the Reds were each responsible for solid dashes while C. McKinley managed a good punt- to touch at midfield. After an even period the ball came out to Blues anil T. Reedy lined neatly, inside the opposing 2d. Again, the Blue backs swung away and there were exciting moments near the Bed line, until Nepia, cleared with a splendid liner to midfield. Back came the Blues again and this time Kutia lined well. Mathes-on shone lout- in a further Blue attack and then a penalty, well out, though in front of the goal, saw Davies give tlm Blues, the lead-.-Possibles 6, Probables 5. Kutia shone ou.t with a. good dash along touch and then Red backs broke away, but Goldsmith krvoeked-on. Lees received a knock which compelled him to leave the field, B. Hale (P. 8.) coming on in his place. Snappy passing saw Potaka twice handle in a promising attack and play hung close to the Red line until a penalty relieved, Nepia finding touch outside the 2d. Halftime followed soon after with the scores: Possibles 6. Probables 5. THE SECOND HALF. Early in the second half Nepia sent away a long kick which Davies fielded nicely and kicked into touch Outside his 2d. Soon after Nepia failed- to gather cleanly in face of a hotforward rush, bat a penalty again relieved. Davies again fielded neatly and lined at the 2d, but Red backs were sent away and Dovi cut through nicely. After some tight scrummaging, the Red backs again shot away, but little real headway was made, the Blues playing up-.close and tackling solidly. Potaka broke away and passed to 31. Howell who centred neatly when' tackled, but the ball went out near the Red 25. Potaka was penalised for holding on to tlie ball and then bustling, play by 3lathesou forced Hale to find touch. 31cPhail showed out in a Blue forward rush which was carried on by Kershaw with a good dribble, but Goldsmith lined well. After a scrum near the line T. Reedy lined nicely, but Newth checked the attack. Davies appeared overwhelmed by a bunch of Red forwards, but broke clear and found touch ip. great style, a splendid piece of defensive work. Webb then executed a neat side-step, but went down under a bunch of opposing forwards. C. McKinley showed out in a good dash, hut stepped into touch. REDS INCREASE LEAD. Following a spell of scrambling play, due mainly to tlie slippery ball, Matheson led his forwards in a dashing run and the ball crossed the line. G. Reedy showed a lot of pace in the race for the hall and scored near the dead hall area. Nepia converted.— Probables 10, Possibles 0. Almost immediately, a long kick by Porohiti went over the line. Davies slipped in turning, but recovered to win the race for the touch down. Nepia collected the kick-off and found touch with a fine kick, play then centring for a time about midfield. Another kick by Nepia gained 20 yards and then the Blues shot away. M. Howell, with only Nepia to boat, was beautifully grassed by the ex-All Black and the hall went into touch. Wright shone out in the subsequent line-out and then the same player, with Dovi and Matheson in support, in a real old-time dribble, drove through brilliantly, but were checked by E. Howell who found touch near the Blue 35. C. McKinley showed up for a nice dash along touch and then a splendid cut-in hv Webb gained 20 yards. Potaka secured from a. scrum near the 25 and lined well, while Wright also gained ground with a useful kick. B. Rodgers drove through solidly, hut Nepia, with another wonderful liner, pained half the

field. Webb smashed down a clearing kick and regained possession, but- his pass out near the line was forward and from the scrum Dovi found, touch near the 25. REDS INCREASE LEAD. A series of line-outs took play to midfield, but a good' dribble by 3latheson placed the Blues again on the attack. 3lartin followed suit and Rodgers broke through soon after. From a loose forward scramble the hall crossed the lines and Steele £olI lowed through very fast to score. Nepia converted.—Probables 15, Possibles 6. O. McKinley left the field, after a knock and was replaced by Ross. The Red backs moved away, but dropped passes paved tlie way for a counter-attack and Ross was well in the picture immediately. M. Howell cut through well, but a long kick by Nepia regained the ground lost. Soon after, from a scrum near the line, Potaka shot the ball to Ross who had a clear run in. Davies narrowly failed to convert.—Probables 15, Possibles 9 Nepia did not delay and kicked off before the Blues had fallen back into position. It was a beautiful kick, but M. Howell managed to tip the hall into the touch-in-gonl, otherwise it would have been just inside the line. Two minutes later, .gathering a, clearing kick near halfway, and within a yard or so from touch, Nepia. ran 10 yards and then “potted” one of the finest goals yet seen -on the Oval. Time was called immediately with the 1 scores: Probables 19 Possibles ... 9 3Tr. N. Tasker proved a very sound referee. TEAM FOR NAPTER. SELECTION FOR THURSDAY. FIVE P.B. 3FEN INCLUDED. Following yesterday’s trial game, the Poverty .Bay, Bay of Plenty and East Coast selectors chose the following side to participate in the further trial game against Hawke’s Bay-Bush at Napier on Thursday. Fullback.—G. Nepia (East Coast). Three-quarter.-—C, McKinley (Poverty Bay), R. Lees (Bay -fo Plenty), P. Goldsmith (East, Coast). Five-eighths.—E. Howell (Bay of Plenty), A. Webb (Poverty Bay) Half-back.—Potaka (8.P.) Forwards.—G. Reedy (East Coast), \Y. 3latheson (P.B-.), C. Newth '(B.P.), R. Rodgers (P. 8.); E. Joyce (8.P.), J. Kershaw (E.C.), L. 3Tartin (P. 8.), Porihiti (8.P.). Reserves: 31. Davies (8.P.) and 31. Wright (P. 8.) NOT FOR LEAGUE CODE. NEPIA REFUSES OFFER. A definite denial that he had any intention of transferring to the league code was given yesterday by George Nepia, the famous fullback intimating that he intended to complete his playing career in the union game which had given him his chances and which he had played since his schooldays. Very recently a G-ishorne Rugby official was approached by a visitor as to particulars of Nepia’s domicile and condition. The local resident communicated with East Coast- enthusiasts and the were advised that Nepia had been interviewed by a man who offered him a substantial sum if be would play three games for a New Zealand representative league loam. Nepia, however, refused to have anything to do with the proposal. MANAWATU BEATS TARANAKI. (Press Association) WANGANUI, Juno 3. In the annual Rugby match Wanganui beat Taranaki by 21 to 20. The game was the fastest and brightest- played for many years. CANTERBURY BEATS WEST COAST. fPrass Association! OREYMOUTH, June 3. The Canterbury Rugby representatives defeated West Coast by 10 to 12 in the presence of over 2009 people. There were ideal conditions for play which was hard and even. The score at, half time was 11 —9 in favour of the visitors, for whom Oliver (2), Hart, and Rankin scored tries, Deavoll converting one. For Coast, 3fann' scored two tries and Gilbert kicked two penalty goals. The Canterbury backs were markedly superior, Oliver originating all the Scoring movements and Hart and Rrfcwn co-operating. Nolan was a. good custodian. The outstanding Coast backs wore Mann and Gilbert-'. The .Coast forwards prevailed in the loose, while the tight play was even. King, McNeight and Freitas wore in excellent form, while the best Canterbury forwards were Rankin, Howell and Dpavoll, , - -

HAWKE’S BAY BEAT WAIJ! All A !’A (Pres'3 AsaociatiAuLHASTINGS, June 3. In their second outing this season, the Hawke’s Bay Rugby representatives scored another win when thoj defeated Wairarapa by 29 points t<o 14. to-day at McLean Park, Napier, before a gathering of well over 4000 spectators. Tlie game was interesting. throughout, -Hawke’s Bay having easily the best of play in the first .spell but, after the interval Wairarapa showed improved form and inoic than held their own. The home backs showed superior combination and ability to grasp the opportunities. Therein lay the big difference between the teams, Hawke’s Bay turning the. mistakes of tlm visitors into scoring points. The early stages were very even, neither side being dangerous until Clothier paved the way for Mataira. to score near the posts after nine minutes’ play. Bradley missed an easy kick.—-Hawke’s Bay 3, Wairarapa 0. Within a- couple of minutes the whole of the Hawke's Bay rearguard handled in a delightful movement, Smith sending Rolls over for a groattry. Bradley converted. — Hawke’s Bay 8, Wairarapa nil. Following Fuller narrowly missing a penalty, Hawke’s Bay returned to the attack and twice came within an nee of scoring. After 20 minutes’ play Powdrell replaced Mataira, who retired injured. A brilliant solo run by Nunn placed Wairarapa in a dangerous position hut mainly due to the fine defensive work of Hutchinson, the visitors were driven hack. Once again they returned' to the attack and Hutchinson kicked a penalty goal.— Hawke’s Bay 11, Wnirnraon 0. Up and down play ensued for a time, after Hawke’s Bay had thrown away two chances of snoring as a result of poor handling, A erossfiebl kick gave Smith a. chance to show his speed and he raced over for a sensational try. Bradley converted and the score at the interval' was: HawIce’s Bay IG, Wyiirarapa 0. After the interval, Wairarapa lost no time in reducing the margin, their forwards playing with great dash and Trass crossed near the posts for Fuller to convert.—Wairarapa 5, TUB. 5. A little later Fuller put over a penalty goal making the score B—lo. Even play ensued for a- time and then a brilliant solo run' from near halfway preceded. Apsey piercing the defence to score a brilliant try at the corner.-—Hawke's Bay 19, Wairarapa 8. Tlie Hawke’s Bay forwards returned promptly and Rolls set the Bay hacks going, Apsey again putting in a good run before passing to Le Quesne who scored and Hutchinson converted.—H.B. 24, Wairarapa 8. Another infringement by Hawke’s Bay enabled Fuller to kick a fine goal from a long range making the score 11 to 24. Botli teams were now going full out and following a thrilling attack by Wairarapa- Hawke’s Bay retaliated for Rolls to score a great try, Bradley converting.—-Hawke's Bay 29, 'Wairarapa 11: The. visitors had the final say in the scoring when Fuller put across his third penalty goal, bringing his contribution to 11 points for the game. NOTES AND NEWS. In a junior representative Rugby match played at 3Fartinbprough vesterda, Hawke’s Bay defeated Wairarapa by 29 to 3. Tlie visiting backs were far too speedy for their -opponents, who were outclassed, while the visiting forwards also more than held their own.—P.A. DESERVED UTS PLACE. A teat comparable with those of the “good old cloys when men were men” was accomplished by Mr Nigel Hunter, Unworn, before he could take part in the Taranaki trial game at Elthnm. His access bridge -over the Uanawapou river from his farm was carried away in the Fern-nary floods, and it was necessary !for him. to swim the river, again m high floo-cl, and walk eight miles before- reaching a conveyance. He gave a. go.cd exhibition < f football, and won a place in the Taranaki representative team. NOTES AND NEWS. Looking at New Zealand through .Rugby eyes, Dr. S. ,J. GriirseU, president of rhe Border Rugby Union and a. member of the South African Rugby: Football Board, says he has been amazed to see nothing hut goal-posts everywhere lie goes. He has been equally amazed at the number of teams making use -of them. “I do* not wonder that you produce tfootba.tilers,” he informed members of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s management committee in Wellington, when telling them briefly of his observations.