LEAGUE TAKES PLAYERS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4846, 16 May 1936, Page 5

LEAGUE TAKES PLAYERS

FROM MANIAPOTO UNION. SUCCESS IN AUCKLAND MATCHES A photograph published this week of the Manukau League team reveals three faces familiar to Rugby in this district—long Len Kawe stands near the camera as if eager for the game to begin. Further down is A. Gault, the player who led Hangatiki’s vanguard so ably last season and battled a way to representative honours, and Pickrang, the fast, keen forward who with J. Craig was Waitanguru’s inspiration last season and a worthy forward in King Country ranks. It is evident that the Manakafu League team has been making a raid in this district. Besides these three players it is rumoured that Davis and Noble, of Hangatiki, have been considered, while it is understood that R. Barlow, of Te Kuiti team, has received offers to turn to League. J. Rata, formerly of this district, is also playing League. Certainly the three Maniapoto players included in the Manukau vanguard seem more than worth their place in the team, from the following press reports of the two games in which they have taken part. Of the first match it was stated that “Kawe and Gault were Manukau’s best forwards. The appearance of Hemi and Kawe, both last year’s New Zealand’s Maori representatives, created considerable interest. Hemi made a good impression and he is sure to he seen to advantage once he learns the finer points of the game. Kawe played with dash and was the best forward on the ground.”

Then of the second game the Auckland scribe states: “Pickering was easily the best forward on the ground.” Kawe he also mentioned as being outstanding. Writing further on the same match he says: “The Manukau vanguard played splendidly against strong opposition and excelled in the loose. The outstanding forward was Pickering, a solidly-built Maori, whose following up and fine tackling were a feature of'the game. Pickering handles well and showed excellent control of the ball in dribbling rushes.”

Pickrang has evidently Anglicised his name for Auckland’s benefit, but the photograph soon dispels any doubt that it is indeed the smiling “Pick” known to Maniapoto who is so specially mentioned.