RUGBY FOOTBALL Three Senior Games at Rugby Park To-day

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1948, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL Three Senior Games at Rugby Park To-day

Rugby followers will be well catered for this afternoon at Rugby Park when six of the West Coast senior teams will be seen in action. It will he also a day of interest in that, for the first time, the new rule allowing onlv three points for a potted goal will be in operation. This change in the points has aroused considerable controversy in New Zealand aad-elsp-where, and it will be of interest to note whether players who have made no little impression .by their use of the field gaol, will alter their methods. ', An even match shouic result in lhe meeting of Celtic and United, who are to play the main match on No. 1 ground, while the match between Blaketown and Star on the other ground at 3 p.m. may resolve itself into a keen forward struggle, tne odds, in that case, favouring Stars. The early match is between St. Mary’s (Hokitika) and Cobden, and this too, gives every promise of being an even struggle. At Hokitika, Kiwis and Excelsiors will try conclusions.

TRIALS The West Coast Rugby Unions decision in favour of dropping the so T called Seddon Shield district trial games is to oe commended. Not only have thev been all that has been said of them "at the Union’s meeting during the week, but they have added an expensive burden to some of the district unions, who could have used the extra cost to better advantage. In addition, players are unwilling to travel to such matches, knowing beferehand that they are likely to do anything except give the selectors a good opportunity of assessing the merits of players. COBDEN CLUB ' Seniors. —Lindbom, Ellis, Wright, McKenzie, George, Horrack, Olsen, Borlase, May. Lamberton, Hornby, Birchfield, Krakosky, Pau.ltney, Watkin, Mettrick, Herricks. Juniors.—Goodall, Vaughan, Skeats, Nott, Hay, Abelson, Brown (2), Reid, McVicar, Brunton, Williams, Parfitt, Churcher, Mather, McMillan, Gray, Thomas. Fifth grade.—Anderson, Goodall, Daniel, Hall, Hill, Allan, Alderson, Port, Jenkins. O’Donoghue, Williams, Egerton, Wallace, Peggie, Carpenter, Evans, De Goldi. Seventh grade... Pentecost, Lmdbom, Sumner, Brailsford, Robin (2), Skelton, Mettrick, McKenzie, Jackson, Kinsey, Niyon, Coom, O’Donaghue, Hail, Martin, Allan, McArthur. New Zealand Union Nominations WELLINGTON, April 23. The following nominations have been received for the officers of the New Zealand Rugby Union:—President, Mr J. Prenderville (Wellington); vice-presidents, Messrs J. A. Finlayson (North Auckland) and D. S. Max (Nelson); council—North Island (three wanted), Messrs S. S. Dean (Bush), J. A. Finlayson (North Auckland), G. A. Maddison (Hawke’s Bay), F. E. Sutherland (Auckland); South Island (three wanted), Messrs R. W. S. Botting (Otago), W. A. Craddock (Buller), W. E. J. Maxwell (Canterbury), W. A. H. Qliver (Southland): council executive, Messrs A. H. Andrews (Taranaki), A. A. Baker (Auckland), T. R. Booker (North Otago), A. St. C. Belcher (Waikato). L. V. Carmine (Poverty Bay), L. A. H. Clode (Southland), J. D. King (Wellington), A. McDonald (Otago), T. C. Morrison (South Canterbury), C. L. Mullany (Wanganui). H. E. Nicholls (Ashburton), and J. H. Parker (Canterbury).

No Official “Touring Party” with AH Blacks

“There will not be any ‘official touring’ party accompanying the All Blacks on their tour of South Africa',” confirmed the chairman of the N.Z.K.F.U., Mr S. S. Dean, at Monday’s meeting of the management committee. “Our players will be there as guests of the South Africans and it wouldn’t do to arrive with an ‘official touring’ party as well”. 'Without dissent, the other members of the management committee agreed with the chairman’s views. Mr Dean spoke with feeling'. After all , he had been manager of the 1924 All Blacks in England and had had experience of the difficulties associated with having official parties travelling with the team —and expecting all sorts of privileges. For the South African tour the N.Z.R.F.U. will not recognise any such parties. Propaganda Fund The Auckland Rugby Union’s request for a grant for a “propaganda fund,” received at this week’s meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was referred to the council for action. It seems strange that such a fund should be necessary for use by a country where rugby union is the national sport.