FIVE COASTERS SELECTED IN N.Z. TOURING TEAM

Grey River Argus, 10 May 1948, Page 7

FIVE COASTERS SELECTED IN N.Z. TOURING TEAM

All Former Kiwi Players P.A. AUCKLAND, May 9. The New Zealand Rugby League team, which will play eight matches in Australia between May 22 and June, was chosen by the selection committee, Messrs T. A. McClymont, E. K. Asher and J. Amos, after the North Island v. South Island representative match on Saturday. The team is:— BACKS Full-backs: — W. S. Clarke (Auckland), age 28, weight list 41b, height sft 7in. M. Rich (Auckland) 23, 12st 81b, sft Ilin. Wing Three-quarters:— j. Forrest (West Coast), 24; 12st 9lb, sft 10in. A. W. McKenzie (Canterbury) 23, 12'st 71b, sft Ilin. D. Redmond (Auckland) z 4, 12st 41b. sft lOin. Centre Three-quarters:— A. V. Wiles (Auckland) 27, 12st 4 lb, 6ft. ' D. Anderson (Auckland) 2.1, list 8 lb, sft 9in. ’ M. Robertson (Auckland) 22, list 101 b, sft Ilin. s Five-Eighths: : A. Graham (Auckland) 2t>/ list 2 lb, sft Bin. V. Belsham (Auckland) 22', lOst 8 lb, sft 7in. R, Cunningham (Auckland) 25, list 51b. sft Sin. . in n D. Barchard (Auckland) 2a, 12st 2 lb, sft 6in. FORWARDS Front Row: — C. Hurndell (Auckland) 21, 14st 10 lb, 6ft. .. . J. Newton (West Coast) 27, 14st 121 b, 6ft 2in. J. Johnson (Auckland.) 30, 15st, 6ft. Hookers: — P. Smith (Canterbury 32, 14st 101 b, sft Ilin. R. Aynsley (West Coast) 26, 13st 2lb, sft 9in. Second Row:— C. Mcßride (West Coast) 23, 13st 2ib. sft Bin. J. Dukes (Canterbury 30, 13st 61b, 6ft A. Flambleton (South Auckland) 23, 14st 41b, 6ft lin. Back Row: — K. Mountford (West Coast) 24, 12 st 41b, sft Bin. T. Hardwick (Auckland) 26, 13st. 21b, 6ft. SIX NEW INTERNATIONALS Six of the team, Rich, Redmond, Wiles, Belsham, Dukes and Hambleton, are now internationals. The remaining 16 were members of the Kiwi team which toured England and France from September to February last. Redmond is a recent convert from Ruj?by. „ „ , The team leaves for Sydney oy plane on May 17. Messrs W. A. Swift (Auckland) and V. M. Simpson (Wellington) have already been appointed managers of the team. The appointment of the captain and vice-captain will not be made until later in the week, but it is almost certain that Smith and Graham, who held these offices in the Kiwi team in England and France will be reappointed. Smith suffered a broken nose in the game on Saturday, but has been classified fit to play in a fortnight. ITINERARY OF TOUR The itinerary for the tour is:— May 2'2 v. New South Wales at Sydney. May 23 v. Combined Country at Wollongong. May 29 v. Australia (first test) at Sydney. June 2 v. Northern New South Wales at Armidale. June 5 v. Queensland at Brisbane. June 6 v. Rockhampton at Rockhampton. June 12 v. Australia (second tset) at Brisbane. June 14 v. Newcastle at Newcastle. The possibility that the team would play three or four matches on its return to New Zealand was mentioned by the president of the New Zealand Council, Mr J. A. Redwood, at a reception to the players on Saturday. It was suggested that the team should play four matches at Auckland, Wellington. Christchurch and Greymouth. Mr Redwood said it was not yet possible to say whether the fixtures could be arranged, but the Council recognised there was a strong wish for a sight of the representative New Zealand team, and it was anxious to arrange a short tour if possible.