RUGBY ATTRACTION

Northern Advocate, 20 August 1929, Page 4

RUGBY ATTRACTION

HAWKE’S BAY VISIT,

NORTH AUCKLAND TEAM,

Tomorrow', for tho first time in history, tic Rugb/ representatives of Hawke's Bay and Ncrth Auckland will meet on the field of play. Leer since-inter-provincial Rugby had its beginning Hawke’s Bay has been considered one of the “Big Six,” and splendid traditions are associated with tlie wearers of the black and white jerseys. However, North Auckland is now definitely on the Rugby map, and it would not be at all surprising to see the local team commence the series of matches with Hawke’s Bay by a victory.

The game tomorrow is the last, of a fortnight’s tour in which South Auckland was defeated by II points to 3, and on Saturday brilliant Auckland won by 32 points to 6. In the latter game Hawke’s Bay scored first and quite held their own until Lucas brilliantly intercepted to score as only Lucas could score.

The visitors, who arrived by the express yesterday, arc the youngest team that has ever left, iNapier, Their forwards have learnt much from such as the Brownlie brothers in keeping play as open as possible, and the pack, containing as it does two 16-stone and one 15-stonc player, can be expected to have pushing powers beyond the ordinary, Especially should tills asset of weight be useful on a wot day. The most noticeable forward of the tour so far has been Wilson, a. member of the 1925 Maori team which tour.ed England and Franco, and was also a Maori All Black last season. Campbell, Hefferman, Roach and. Cairns are reported to have led numerous loose rushes which badly pierced the defence of the Auckland backs. A player wellknown to the Whangarei public is Jobson, who, as R. MacDonald, was a promising forwuard in the Old Boys > team a couple'of seasons ago.

A great deal lias been said about Setford, the second five-eighths, who is expected to rise to heights in the football world. Hiekling, the full-back, is a sound player. After playing together twice, North Auckland can bo confidently expected to give a good account of themselves. That the material is there, the following notes, contributed by “Tkckler,” will show:—

• G. Korr, —A full-back who has established himself in every way, os one who can be relied upon wet or dry. His play is always a treat, and besides a safe pair of hands has speed. His line kicking is of perfect length. Has been for two seasons a worthy successor to Griffen as North Auckland’s last line of defence.

Barrach.—Won all hearts by his cleverness in the game against Whangaroi last Thursday. Ho is Rodney’s sole representative and makes up in brains wha/t ho lacks in weight. Guy Nieholls,—Mark and Ginger may yet see their younger brother rise to first-class football. His play in club and representative matches for Whangarei this season has been a revelation of straight football

science. Waterman. —Attained All Black honours as the result of his play in the northern tour of last year. Since his visit to Australia he has gained in determination and developed a very useful feud. Anderson.—When Mangonui played Whangarei for the Harding Shield the second live-eighths was the most admired back. He is a young player, who gets his chance as the result of the most unfortunate accident to Ryan. Bartley.—When a half behind the Whangarei High Behool team of several seasons ago, Bartley earned high praise. Since then he has been schoolteaching in the Hokianga district and also giving the reps, lessons in fiveeighths play. B. Morrosey, who comes into the team owing to McDonald's illness, is a young half who has created a very favourable impression, and in his first season after High Behool did much to help in winning championship honours for Mauugakaramea. His defence is perfect. Wells.—(Last season a junior fiveeighths in Dargnville, he decided to play ns a rover. After two games ho was given a chance against Whangarei, caught the eye of the North Auckland selectors, and has represented the peninsula ever since. Harmona.—Two tries by a forward who used his weight all the time, was a good performance in the trial game last Thursday, And was quite sufficient to prove that Harmona from Hokianga was one of the best. Donaldson.—A member of the great Otamatea football family, which has 1 seldom boon unrepresented in a North Auckland team. He has every credential for a good breakaway. Bunny Finlayson,—The other day an authority who saw every game the All Blacks played in Bouth Africa choose Finlayson in a world team. It is gratifying that the leg injury which Bunny sustained will not keep him out oi further first-elass football. Ptoses Yates,—When the 19x2 Maori Ail Black League team toured Australia they put Yates to mark Horder, said by many to be the best wTing-threo-quarter that ever played the code, Wit os has gone back to Rugby and the forwards, but often his speed and anticipation enable him to link up with the attacking backs. W. Rika.—Ls the third forward w T ho has -worn black jersey and silver fern. With McWilliams he w r as classed as the best iu Australia last month. He also was a member of the Maori team in Europe

N. Wilkinson,—Grafton, Mangonui and North Auckland have won many serums as the result of Wilkinson's hooking. Besides he is an honest toiler, never afraid of getting into the thick of it.

M. Morresey,—ls suited in build and ability to be the other hooker. His fast following up is a feature of his play. Those who might get a, chance are Chcrrington, a fast rover, from Bay of Islands, whose footwork is a feature; Sheriff, one of the very best forwards in the north; Hansen, the Hokianga speedy three-quarter, whose goal-kick-ing is excellent; and Bcrgusson, the centre three-quarter from Northern Wairoa, The curtain-raiser at 12.30 will be between a North Auckland Maori junior representative team and the Whangarei junior reps, who won the Brake Shield last Saturday. Mr S, Weston has been appointed to referee the match.

iSpeeial train arrangements have been made and a. record crowd is anticipated. 353