TARANAKI’S NEXT GAME.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 12 September 1927, Page 10

TARANAKI’S NEXT GAME.

SIDE TO MEET WANGANUI. Thanks to the representations made by the southern delegates l on the Taranaki Rugby Union Management Committee, both Taranaki and Wanganui supporters of the code will he afforded better opportunity this season for viewing the latter union’s game in Taranaki, the venue having been changed from New Plymouth to Hawera. In order to meet the convenience of visitors coming from a distance, it has been decided that the game will commence at 2 o’clock. The visiting team was published in “The Hawera Star” of last week. After the conclusion of Saturday’s game with Wairnrapa the Taranaki sole .selector (Mr. W. A. Guy) announced the following team to represent the province in the game against Wanganui:

Full hack.—A. Petty (Tukapa). Three-quarters. —C. Dinniss (Old Boys'), H. W. Brown (Old Boys), L. Bourke (Patea). Five-eighths.—D. Johnston (Okaiawa), C. Hohaia (Opunake). Half. —E. Owen (Stratford). Rover. —0. Dearr (Tukapa). Back row.—L. Stunner (Star), C. Wills (Patea). Sides. —J. Walter (Stratford), P. Ward (Clifton). Lock. —1L O’Keefe (Stratford). Hookers. —W. Robinson (Hawera), J. Young (Stratford). Emergencies.—Backs, W. Hohaia (Opunake), W. Morey (Old <Boys), Collins (Stratford); forwards, O. Alurphy (Patea), B. Espin (Kaponga), Smith (Stratford). To the p ayers. engaged tire game has particular significance, In that it will provide Messrs W. A. Guv (Taranaki) and J. Crowley (Wanganui) the liual opportunity for reviewing the fo-m on which to base their selection of the players to represent Taranaki ;tiid Wanganui combined in the All Black trial garni? against Wellington and, Manawheiiua at Wanganui on the following Wednesday, though it does not necessarily follow that only those who take part in Saturday’s game will be poosi hi lties for the trial. Taranaki supporters, will welcome the re-appearaua? of the clever full-back. Petty, who is reported to have practically recovered from .the injury sustained Ji -. rr the recent tour. Petty is .regarded as one of the best of presort t day full-hacks', and though he will he compared with a sound player in Bairbv. the Wanganui last line, the latter will have to play above his usuai’ standard to be given preference should Petty be up to form. On the form shown last Saturday, the three-quarter line comprises about as stronor a trio as Taranaki can produce. Bourke must be given, preference as the battling tv ■? ot wing whose mark might he made in big football, tiXMigh derision on the uespective claims b Diiuiihu anj W. Hohaia for- the other wing position must have j>roved difficult to the seleetoi.

Brown’s inclusion at centre may be

.egarded as a foregone conclusion, and che same comment applies to the reselection of Johnston, who, at second five-eighth on Saturday, was the most set. i mic'dkv man on the field. He is \vt?T. partnered by C. Hohaia. another resourceful player with considerable possibi fines. Owen, whose inclusion at half on

atuidav gave rise to critical comment in certain quarters—where it is perhaps not known that during his school days and his earlier period in Inh football.-lie consistently played behind the scrum—showed in plucky rush stopping and prompt deJieve riies to 'll is supports that lie is no stranger to the position. Even with a ball which was as elusive as a piece of wet soap, lie maintained a fair .standard, and lie certainly showed as a good example of t-hp i tigged type of hall" which gives the right opposition to' charging forwards.

Dean’s place as rover was consolidated on Saturday by his Ircst exhibition of the season, and as Ward, Walter. Robinson and Young were the forwards who on Saturday’,s showing could not -be dropped, the selection of the pack loaves little room for comment.