TE MORI ROSE BOWL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 172, 22 June 1926, Page 8

TE MORI ROSE BOWL

TO-MORROW'S BIG MATCH

PLAYERS AT PRACTICE

A number of northern Maoris who will participate in the Te Mori Rose Bowl match to-morrow arrived in Palmerston North yesterday and this morning. This afternoon their numbers were added to by the arrival of the Horowhenua and South Island players. Naturally,' in view of the tour which lies before those who are fortunate enough to come under the favourable eye of the selectors, competition is very keen, particularly as to-morrow’s game will be the final of the series of trials which have been conducted in both islands as a means to determining the composition of the touring party. In addition to the players already selected, several emergencies have been drawn on and the opportunity will be taken t<s? try out one or two of the less favourably known in the second half of to-morrow’s match. Kingi, the Rata player, is at present suffering from the effects of a slight injury, and, although he will take his place in to-morrow side, there is a probability that he will give away at the interval to Akuira, the Old Boys and Manawatu half. The team which will leave these shores by the Marama in July, connecting with the Markunda at Sydney, will be composed of 28 players under the managership of Messrs H. Harris, delegate to the Rugby Conference in England, and Mr \V. T. Parata. The addition of two extra matches in the French section of the programme will entail the tourists playing some 30 games, while en route they will oppose Victoria in Melbourne where Rugby is reported to be gaining an exceedingly strong footing after having, been practically non-existent for some time. On arrival at Marseilles the party will disembark and will play at least two of the eai'ly matches in that locality, and at the conclusion of the French programme will enter upon an extensive programme of games in Britain. No definite arrangements have yet been made concerning the return trip, but overtures have been made by Canada and British Columbia for the party to return via Canada and America. Indeed, so anxious were the Rugby authorities in Canada and British Columbia to secure the presence of the Maoris that overtures were made for the party to journey via Canada both ways. It is, however, fully expected that the Maoris will tour New Zealand on their return, the only fixtures to be played prior to their departure being the matches versus Auckland and Wellington on the 17th and 21st of July. In conversation with Mr Parata this morning, a “Standard” reporter was informed that, while it was regretted a more extensive series of trials could not be played, he was confident the best of the Maori Rugby talent would be got away. In regard to Saturday’s trial match at Gisborne the 30 players who had participated were drawn from a district embracing over 2000 ‘Maori players and the standard of football had been particularly high. The selection of the southern players, explained Mr Parata, had been in the capable hands of Mr W. Stead, the vice-captain of the famous 1905 All Blacks, and seven players had been nominated for tomorrow’s trial by that well-known authority, one of whom had been termed by Mr Stead as a “find.” “My one regret is,” added Mr Pnrata, “that ‘Billy’ is not going with the team in the capacity of coach.” The majority of the players, he continued, would be comparatively youthful, the one exception being Jacob, of Horowhenua, who, in all probability, would be found in the role of captain. It was hoped that the knowledge acquired on the tour would be carried further by these exponents on their return to the Dominion. This morning some 14 of the northerners engaged in a practice at the Showgrouds, when passing and dribbling rushes were undulged in, the manner in which the players carried out the movements pointing to a high standard of efficiency. The South Island players arrived this afternoon and a full practice was conducted, following their arrival. THE TEAMS. The teams to play in the final tryout were chosen last evening by the selectors (Messrs W. T. Parata, M. Winiata itnd A. Takarangi). They are not truly representative of the North and South Islands, for, although the Te Mori Rose Bowl is at slake, the teams were chosen rather with the idea of giving all the players an opportunity of gaining a place in the touring team. Several well-known players are missing, but, in explanation, it has been pointed out that, as the selectors know their ability, it was thought advisable to give other players the opportunity to show their worth. The teams are as follow: North team (black): Full-back, PhilJinps (King Country) ; three-quarters, Robinson (Canterbury), Maata (Waikato), M. McDonald (Horowhenua) ; five-eighths, Wineera (Wellington), Haddon (King Country); half, Harrison (East Coast); rover, Edwards (Hawke’s Bay); hookers, Sergeant (Bay of Plenty), Peihana (East Coast); lock, W. Rika (North Auckland) ; supports, Haupapa (Bay of Plenty), Batty aways, Lewis (Wairoa), Wilson (Wairoa). South team (white): Full-back, T. Bennett (Taihape) ; three-quarters, Fahvasser (Taranaki), Potaka (Wanganui), Hartley (Wanganui); fiveeighths, Peina (Wanganui), Moses (Horowhenua): half, King (Taihape); rover, Jacob (Horowhenua) skipper; hookers, Pine (Wanganui), Stewart (Otago) : lock, Manning (Canterbury) ; supports), Mateno (North Auckland), Sheriff (North Auckland; breakaways, Tatana (Horowhenua), Matthew (Poverty Bay).

TE KAWAU SUB-UNION. JUNIOR TRIAL TEAMS. [From Our Own Correspondent.] The following players have been chosen by the selector, Mr T. McGee, to play in a junior A and B trial match at Kaimatarau to-morrow at 2 p.m. The team to meet Oroua at Awahuri the following Wednesday will be selected after the match: A team. —Backs, Gust (C.), Grammar (U.), Poneke (H.), C. Hunt (C.), Greeks (C.), Graham (A.), Tioko (A.); forwards, Sanson (H.), Fagan (H.), Hancox (GO, Algar (U.), H. Montgomery (A.), Gust (C.), L. Scott (C.), Grammar (U.). B team. —Backs, Cooper (U.), Payne (A.), S. Richardson (II.), Wilson (U.), Cowrie (U.), Gardner (C.), Richardson <H .): forwards, Harris (H.), Knight (C-), R- Saunders (C.), Mudford (H-), Griffith (C.), Baylis (A.), Coles (A-), Jorden (H.). Emergencies (both teams): Milliard m ) (H.). Osborne (U.), king (A.), Brown (A.). Any players not available are asked to telephone Vo 22, Rongotea. MATCHES ON SATURDAY. Competition games will be resumed

on Saturday next, the following fixtures and referees having been arranged : Senior: United v. Hui Mai at Oroua Downs; referee, Mr T. Goodwin. Central v. Awahuri at Rongotea; referee, Mr E. Spry. Junior: Hui Mai v. United at Sandon; referee, Mr S. Reeve. Central v. Awahuri at Awahuri; referee, Mr H. N. Cave.