RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 140, 13 May 1930, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

TO-MORROW’S GREAT GAME. ELECT OF THE NORTH ISLAND. In preparation for to-morrow’s big match between teams drawn from all quarters of the North Island, players are due to arrive in Palmerston North this afternoon and evening and, in view of the importance which attends the trial, interest promises to be unusually keen. The British touring team will arrive in Wellington on Thursday afternoon and, in preparation for the test matches to follow later, the New Zealand authorities are now engaged in determining the merits of the players seeking All Black honours. It is to this end that the cream of the talent of the North Island is being assembled in Palmerston North for to-morrow’s trial game, and it will thus bo the good fortune of enthusiasts in this district to view a large number of the Dominion’s best players in action. LOCAL INCLUSIONS . An announcement which will be favourably received locally 's to the effect that the selectors have called on the Kia Tea wing three-quarter, M. J. Strange, and the Horowhenua rover, Tama Parata, to hold themselves in readiness for to-morrow's games. Presumably, the selected Probables and Possibles fifteens will take the field, but the opportunity will lo afforded those held in reserve to prove their worth in the second spell. While Strange has not as yet displayed this season the football of which he is really capable, he is undoubtedly fit and weil at present, and, well fed with the ball, ho should demonstrate bis scoring powers for he ranks as one of the fastest men on the football field of the Dominion. Parata gave evidence last season of developing into one of the really great rovers of the decade, and the opportunity which has been afforded him will no doubt be fully availed of by the burly Manawhenua player. Parata figured in the Maori games last season and it would not surprise district Rugby followers to find him joining the ranks of the All a ° THE CURTAIN-RAISER, For the benefit of early patrons, a curtain-raiser will be staged at 1.15 o’clock to-morrow when High School and Old Boys will try conclusions. Both fifteens play the bright, open game, and they should keep spectators fully entertained pending tho entry upon the field of play of the “stars.” M. NICHOLLS NOT AVAILABLE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 13. M. Nicholls is not available for the trial Rugby match at Palmerston North to-morrow owing to a septic knee.