FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 August 1924, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. DECISION AT WELLINGTON. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.} ELLINGTON, Aug. 20. In consequence of the contention that too many outside matches are being played, to the prejudice of local club matches, a theory which found echo in other places as well as Wellington, the Rugby Union has decided this season to confine its attention to club matches only. One or two representative matches have been played so far, and in each ease practically a junior team was put in the field. According to one authority the results of these tactics has been exactly the opposite of what was expected. It is claimed that never before has so little interest been taken in club matches, and not ror many years has the standard of play here been se low. Against this may be urged the fact that for 11 successive weeks rain fell every Saturday, and kept the public away, but it is a fact that' no Wellington side has had any practice together, and in representative matches now coming on the men will be entirely raw and without combination. This is contrasted with the numerous games the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay men have had an opportunity of playing. HAWKE’S BAY V. AUCKLAND. The Hawke’s Bay team to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Auckland on Saturday next will be selected from the fol loivi ng:— Yates (Pirates), Kopua (Dannevirke), Grenside (Hastings), Corkill (Wairoa), Barclay (Pirates), Kivell (Pirates), Mat-don (H. 5.0.8.), Falwas'/u- A.C.), Blake (Celtic), Ormond (\Vairoa), Miller (Celtic), Hchhcrtev .(Pirates). Gemmell (M.8.0.1J.) Mahoney (M. 8.0.8.), Wylie (Pirates). Walker (Damievirke). McNab (Celtic) Kirkpatrick (Hastings). I lie team will not lie definitely announced until the end of the week.