RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 April 1926, Page 3

RUGBY.

Judging from tlie array of talent in Hawke’s Hay, it will be a very formidable combination that can hope to deprive the champion team of, New Zealand of the lianfurly Shield (remarks a writer in the New Zealand Herald). They will still have in their ranks Nepia, and Brownlie brothers, Midland Irvine, while Cooke will add still further to the brilliance of the team. Hawke’s Bay will probably be the greatest sufferers when the Maori team leaves New Zealand, for of their team Nepia, Mill, Paewai, Ormond, Blake Gemmell, and Walker are all likely to obtain places. Falwasser is another who should be in the team. It is reported that he may play in Taranaki this season. The departure of these players will possibly weaken the champion team a great deal, but when the All Blacks went away in 1924, taking with them six of Hawke’s Bay best players, they still maintained their premier position. There is no reason to believe that there will be any changte this year. The Canterbury Union has decided to play Canterbury at Christchurch on June 3 (the King’s Birthday). At Lansdowne road, Dublin, in February, Ireland defeated England _ at Rugby football for the first time since 1911,* scoring three goals (one penalty) and two tries (19- points) to three goals (15 points). There were moments when lids tremendous struggle the victors, this tremendous struggle teh victors, but on the whole Ireland merited their success, if only for the splendid work of their forwards and the fierce thrust of their backs when near the line. The crowd was too much for the stands and hanks 1 , and the overflow seated themselves on the grass around the playing field. Happily, the crowd was sporting and orderly, as well ns intensely excited, and not until the very last minute, in which Ireland scored a clever try that did not decide the match, hut settled all possible argument. did they allow themselves the luxury of a really serious encroachment.