THE WARATAHS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1931, Page 2

THE WARATAHS

STRONG TEAM COMINC. BEST PLAYERS AVAILABLE SYDNEY, July 9. It is predicted here that the Australian. Rugby football team which is to tour New Zealand this season will have a big load to carry. It will be remembered that the Australians last visited the Dominion in 1912, and the players rom which a selection will be made for the 1931 tour will ihclude all the ‘ ‘stars” available: First there is the responsibility of upholding the prestige won in recent years by Australian successes—for it wil lbe remembered that Australia won all three tests against New Zealand in Australia years ago, and she also defeated Britain last winter in the only test match played. LOST INTERNATIONALS. The lostß of internationals of the calibre of Tom Lawton, a genius in the five-eighth position, and a capable and inspiring leader; Sid King a most consistently good centre and resolute defender; Owen Crossman, a speedy trickster on the wing; and forwards like Jack Ford, Wyle Breckenridge, Al (Huck) Finlay and “Geoff” Storey, whoa* names Have become by wore* of dependability, is an added burden, Tb find MV«m men in a season of the vast abilities and experience of those mentioned, is an almost impossible task, and the selectors will be hard put to furnish a team which will be right up fo the standard o those which did battle for Australia in 1929-30 or equal to the famous Waratahs. They are leaving nothing to chance however and the most thorough sifting of all the available material is now in- process, and on August 3 next the announce-ment-will be made of the twenty-five chosen to wear Australia’s national polour—green and gold. Australian selectors will visit Melbourne to'witness a final trial between the best thirty men of the southern State. From them will be selected some to- engage in the culminating game, Australia v. Rest of Australia, which eventuates at the conclusion of the Sydeny series of games, New South Wales v. Queensland. The stage is well set, the actors keen and the goal—that Mecca of all Rugby players, a. visit to the Holy of Holies so far as Rugby is concerned—New Zealand.

It is still early to speculate who will be the fotunate twenty-five to represent Australia, but a careful analysis of the games to date, keeping in mind the big football of the last two years Suggests., the selection of those named hereunder as exceedingly likely. < * It'is pleasing-tp be. able to 9ay that aft the-.stars are available. In fact, it is doubtful i( any potential candidates wil} refuse the invitation of the selectors, who are men who know thp\r job 'and know the type needed for a long and strenuous tour qf the All Black .territory. ,

SOME POSSIBILITIES,

‘ The chairman, Mr T. H. Bosward, has enjoyed considerable success in his many tilts since the war with All Black combinations. He is assisted by G, V. Portus, who won his English cap when a Rhodes scholar at Oxford as fiveeights. Quensland'?* selector. Davie Williams, was hooker for that State and Victoria, has as her representative H. G. Pen will, a fellow clubmate of no less a personality than the celebrated Percy Bush, he Welsh wizard fiveeighth. . ■ i The following may be among those selected-Full backs, A. W. Ross, (N.S.W.) and J. Steggall; wing threequarters, B. Palmer (N.S.W.), H. G. M’Ghie (Q.), . Cowper (Vic.), R. Yates (Q.), and A. Kennedy (N.S.W.), centres, C .H. Towers (N.S.W,), PClark (Q.), G. Hurtridge (Vic.), E. Hayes (Q.), B. Egan (N.S.W.); fiveeighths, F, Vincent (Q.), or J. Casey (Q.); halfbacks, S. C. Malcolm (N.S. W.), G. Bennett (Q.), V. Thicknesse (Vic.), and Taylor (Vic.) Sixteen backs have been mentioned to be reduced to twelve "or thirteen. There are others such a Harold Herd, and Harold Tolhurst, two youngsters of the Manly Club, N.S.W., showing splendid form as three-quarters. , . Forwards: W..R. Blair (N.S.W.), E. Bonis (Q.), W. H. Cerutti (N.S.W.) are sure to be the best front row, with J. Ritter (Q.), E. Love (N.S.W.), as a spare second row; forwards of firstclass* quality are scarce. G. Bland (N.S.W.) and B. Judd (N.S.W.), two , Wnratahs, and W. G. /Bimbo) White and Max White, both Queenslanders, not related, will be the keenest contestants/ W. G. White is a 10 yearold lad, 6 feet 3-$- inches, over fourteen stone, and playing with tons of life and vigour. Lockmen (back row) will come from J. Reville (Q.), T. Perrin (N.S.W.); breakaways, R. B. Loudon (N.S.W). L. J. Palfreyman (N.S.W.), J. Clark (Q.), and K. Suter (Q ) Eighteen forwards have been mentioned and the number to tour is only thirteen. Victorians, in Bridle and Jacobs, or Basrittv. will also have to be eliminated o selected.

A STRONG TEAM. Enough has been given in name to indicate a strong team with an Australian composition and one which will work into a ttadesmanlike and efficient fooball preposition.

The backs will be brilliant and if only Lawton had spared another year of his life o the game they would go forth with every confidence of holding their own in every encounter. There wil be no weak links in any position and no joy rides will be presented, because the competition of competent men or each post is so keen. The average of the vanguard will be round about 13 stone 121 b, while the backs nominated will size up to about lli stone average,—"Hacka,”

The itinerary is ns follows: — August 22—v. Otago at Dundein. August 28—v. Southland. August 29—v. Canterbury. September 2—v. S&ddon Shield Distriest at Nelson. ,September—5 v. Wellington. September 9—v. Maoris at Palmerston North.

September 12—v. New Zealand, at Auckland. September 16—v. Taranaki. September 19—v. Hawkes Bay. September 23—v. Waikato, at Hamilton,