RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 28 September 1927, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FINAL TRIALS NO~.TH ISLAND TEAM PICKED PLAYS SOUTH ISLAND ON SATURDAY. Wellington, Sept. 27. Following is the North Island Rugby team to play the South Island at Athletic Park on Saturday:— Full-back. Mark Nicholls (Wellington) Three-quarters: Hook (Auckland), Sheen (Auckland), Grpnside (Hawke’s Bay). Five-eighths: Berridge (Auckland), L. Johnson (Wellington). Half-back: Kilby (Wellington). I Wing forward: Keene (Auckland). Forwards: Hadley (Auckland), Swain (Hawke’s Bay), M. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay), Harvey (Wairarapa), Finlayson (North Auckland), McWilliams (Auckland), U. Brownlie (Hawke’s Emergencies. — McManus (Auckland), Brown (Taranaki), Rushbrook (Wellington), Coulston (Wanganui), Ward (Taranaki). POSSIBLES V. PROBABLES. FORWARDS GOOD; BACKS LACK COMBINATION. Palmerston N-, Sept. 27. The Rugby trial game, North Island Possibles v. Probables, produced a fairly high standard to-day. Although the forwards rather dominated the game, there were many hashes ot scintillating open pia.V, lune.i.ig battle between the scrummages. The only alteration to the original teams was when Stringfellow replaced Johnston (Taranaki), who was injured in the second spell. The teams were evenly matched in both divisions, the final scores being indicative of their respective merits. There were weaknesses in the inside backs of both teams, which was responsible for the spoiling of many promising movements. The first spell ended 10—6 in favour of Probables and the final score 19—18 in favour of the Possibles. For the winners Rushbrooke scored two tries, M. Brownlie and Swain one each, Nicholls kicked a penalty and one conversion and Grenside one convert. For Probables Hook (two), Sheen, and Thomas scored tries and Berridge convened three. ' FINLAYSON A “CERT.”

Finlayson, Ward, Donaldson and Harvey were always in the thick of the battle, the former particularly outstanding being a match for the Brownlie brothers on the many occasions they met, and was quite the best forward on the ground; leading rashes into the opponents' territory time and again He looks a certainty for the African trip. Porter proved too old in the head for his vis-a-vis, Keene, and as a result of his hookers getting more of the ball, he had to protect his half more than attack. The Possibles packed a good scrum, The two Brownlies were quick off the mark and quite up to their usual All Black standard. Swain was also up to New Zealand standard, his try being an excellent piece of work. Conrad was not as good a lock as Harvey and did less work. A GOOD FORWARD. Leahy was not brilliant, being little better than provincial standard, and not showing up as well as Galpin, who was always grafting, especially in the second half. The Manawhenua man could always be seen in the thickest of the fight and was easily the next forward on his side after the Brownlie brothers. McWilliams was not prominent.

Hadley and Palmer suffered in comparison with the Possibles' hookers, Coulston and Swain. Coulston was good in the loose work and did his share of the tight. Kilby was vastly superior to McManus, although he had the advantage of better hookers and combination with backs. He, being used to playing with Nicholls, made few mistakes and has lost none of the art of kicking. Johnston (Wellington) was disappointing in the first spell although he improved his display in the second half.

Grenside, South and Rushbrook suffered by comparison K with the opposing three-quarter line. The firstnamed, perhaps, was the better of the trio, but could have made more use of many opportunities. Brown at full-back was safe, but he made one or two mistakes, which cost his side dearly. He could not resist the temptation to collar an opponent on one occasion when the latter was going to touch down. A penalty try was awarded. There was little to choose between the two fullfollowing up and bluffing Nicholls,, backs. Thomas scored a try through who did not force down, but kicked to the full-back's arms just in front of him. The Probables’ three-quarter line made few mistakes, Brophy being one of the best wingers on the ground. He had few chances in the second spell but made good use of them. There was no fault with his play in the first half. Hook and Sheen were always in the limelight and. with Berridge," were always dangerous. Johnston (Taranaki) at five-eighths was not brilliant and frequently missed passes from MeManus, which made the latter appear to be not getting the ball away to the scoring men. The game proved that New Zealand should more than hold its own in Africa- The forwards have speed and weight, but the back division would appear to want combination. This, undouhhtedly. would come with more practice together.