RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 165, 12 June 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TO-MORROW’S' TRIAL MATCH. NORTH VERSUS SOUTH. As a moans to determining the composition of the fifteen which will rlo duty for Manawatu versus Horowhenua at Shannon on the 23rd, a North v. South trial match will lie staged at Johnson Park, Feilding, to-morrow, the North team being drawn from Feilding Clubs and the To Kawau and Oroua Sub-Unions, and the South from Palmerston North and Woodville Club teams. Play is timed to commence at 2 o’clock and should the weather conditions be at all favourable, there should be a large crowd of enthusiasts present to witness the contest. THE SOUTH TEAM. (By “Cross-bar.”)

The team selected to represent the southern end of the district does not furnish any real surprises, although there are one or two inclusions which were, perhaps, not altogether expected. The full-back position had undoubtedly lain between Williamson and Wasley, but presumably the former’s greater experience has stood him in good stead. Strange, on the right wing, has been proving more enterprising in his play since his revertion to the position and the selectors apparently preferred him to his club mate, Griffon, although probably the latter would prove equally useful. Palmer, on tiro opposite wing, is dashing enough, but lie has not always proved himself against- a strong defence. Mullins, despite the many years in which he has worn the green and white jersey, continues to be very useful, but lie is more a defensive than an attacking plaver and had Riddell been included, or even Urophy brought further out. it would not have occasioned any great surprise. Brophy is inclined to be in and out. but ho is capable of a high standard of football and it is to be hoped that he gives of his best. Akuira promises to be fully at home at inside five-eighth and ho will no doubt carry much of the burden of the day if matters run unkindly for the side. Evans has been preferred to Sbapleski, hut the writer had rather anticipated that he would be placed at inside five-eighth with the Kin Toa player as donkeyman by way of a trial. ' The big surprise is the inclusion of O’Shea as rover, for his tactics in the past have not appealed to “Cross Bar” and, on Saturday’s performance, one would have considered McDonald still worthy ol a trv-out. It would now appear that Wald in is certain for the ; position in the side to meet Horowhenua. The performance of Crawford on Saturday was apparently sufficient to merit- his being given the front row position and ho and Summers should go well together, but after all possession in the set scrums will be tlio deciding factor. With TremewaiV, Parsons, Payne, Galpin and Hcatley—all of whom wore the blue and red and white barred jersey of Manawlrenua last year—to complete the scrum, little, if any, fault can be found in this direction. On the face of things it should be a great battle for places in the fifteen to oppose llorowhemia.

PRINCE OF WALES CUP. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, June 11. At a meeting of the Poverty Riy Rugby Union this evening a letter was received from the x.M.P. Club (Maoris) complaining of conditions tn the Prince of Wales Cup, it being contended that the conditions made in the letter by the late Sir James Carroll to the. Prince suggesting the trophy were to the effect that the cup should be for Maori Clubs only and not for Maoris’ districts as laid down by the Maori Advisory Board. In furtherance of this contention attention was drawn to the fact that the inscription on the cup stated that it was for competition among Maori football clubs. 'After discussion it was decided to forward the letter to the New Zealand ltugby Union and a Iso to ask for a copy of tlie rules relating to the cup.