Whole Team Nominated

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1938, Page 2

Whole Team Nominated

Following the Maori trial match at Rugby Park, the players were entertained to dinner at the Whangarei Hotel, when Mr H. Lent, co-manager ot the team for Fiji, announced that the following had been nominated for consideration: —

Full-back: D. Urlich. 6ft.. 12st. 81b?

Three-quarters: K. Rika. sft. 9ins., 12st. 7lbs.; R. White. sft. 10in.. 12st. 71bs: W. Davis. 6ft. lin., 13st. lOlbs.

Five-eighths: Te Rore. sft. 10in., 12st, 71bs; Donaldson. sft. Bin.. list, lllbs.

Half-back: M. Wharerau. sft. Bin 12st. Gibs.

Front row; WordJey. sft. 10in., 13st; B. Harrison. sft. 10in.. 14st.: Edwards, on. 10in., 13st.

Locks: W. Cooper, Oft., 15st. 21bs; Flavell, 6ft, 13st. 121bs.

Middle row: C, White, sft. 11 in., 14st. Gibs; Sonnic Alison, 6ft. lin., 12st. lOibs; P. Rei, 6ft.. 13st. 121bs. The final selection for the Maori team for Fiji will be made at Palmerston North, when the Now Zealand Maori selectors will meet after seeing a match between the Wanganui district and the East and West Coast and South Island combined.

Good Forward Material. Rugby Park, as it was on Saturday, was just about as dissimilar as could be to what conditions will be like on the baked grounds of Fiji. It was a day for heavy men to show out, but the selectors have evidently borne in mind that tall, rangy forwards will have things more to their liking on tour. For that reason, probably, Sam Alison, after turning on one of the best games in his career, has boon passed over in preference to his brother .Sonnic.

Cooper and Charlie White disputed the honour of being the best forward. While, working hard in the tight, was really brilliant, in the second spell, when he continually fed his backs with long passes. The pack work, generally, was good, hut on many occasions the hall was not raked cleanly, this applying particularly to the work of the Probables' scrum. Flaveli and Rei lived up to their reputation, and if any of the forwards is unlucky, it is the tall Nopia. of Mangonui. Tikena fully justified his inclusion. Although, having an off-day. Urlich was a better full-back than Eruera. who usually plays for Rangiahua as a three-quarter. Brown’s Omission a Surprise. It is hard to understand how Brown, easily the speediest of the wing-three-quarters, and who figured in many line rims, came to be overlooked. Apart from an inclination to stray out ot position occasionally, ho turned on an excellent game. Davis is not the player the North knew a few years ago. Ho is a follower of the old style, who simply lucks the ball under his arm and goes for it. However, the tackling was so deadly that the big winger finished all Ins spurts on the ground Ken Rika was outstanding on defence, bm made little ground on attack. For R. White the game was not a trial of his prowess, but of his knee, end for that reason it was surprising to see him withdrawn at half-time. He remained on the field long enough to convince the selectors that there is little amiss either with his play or his physical condition. Spectators were highly disappointed that Rangi Shortland was not given more opportunities. Actually, he only had one run during the afternoon. This was due to the indifferent showin;', of the inside backs on the Possibb s' side, who were either floored nr had mulled a pass before movements got as far as the centre. The Inside Bucks. Rider who was in the running for

the Waikato reps, at the beginning of the season, showed occasional bursts of individual brilliance, but did not work in well with his colleagues. Neither Tahu nor Hanna stayed long enough on the field to be properly appraised, but their penetration was not good. Heke spoilt his game by over-use of the dive pass. Tire Probables’ team was much bettor served by its Inside men, Te Rore and Donaldson combining nicely throughout. Considering that he was playing in a position foreign to him, the Northern Wairoa full-back gave a remarkable display. Wharerau played so efficiently at half that he must have good prospects of inclusion in the touring team. The Maori All Blacks will play five

games in Fiji, and will meet Auckland on their return.