Waikato’s First Rugby Invasion

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1938, Page 4

Waikato’s First Rugby Invasion

The Waikato team which steps out to meet North Auckland at Rugby Park on Saturday will be the first ever to appear in Northland. On both previous occasions when these two unions have met at Hamilton, the South Aucklanders have been successful. However, after losing to Waikato 24 —8 in 934. the touring Noiih Auckland team, under R. Pickering, triumphed in the same week against Auckland to the tune of 17—6. On both occasions they have played this season Waikato have been defeated, although the margins have not been large. However, it is North Auckland, which has gone closer than any other province to lowering Auckland’s colours this year. The game which was played at Eden Park was one of the most exciting staged in the city, and many who witnessed it were of the opinion that our team was unfortunate not to suceed Strong North Auckland Pack.

The North Auckland pack played magnificiently and the day was lost only through inexcusable errors on the part of one or two of the backs, who enabled Auckland to pull the game out of the fire with penalty kicks. Saturday’s match will be the only chance this year given local followers of the game to see the North Auckland team in action. Waikato, with many more representative fixtures on their list, have had the opportunity of building up a strong combination and have enjoyed a successful season, which they hope to cap in their last game together on Saturday. They will be bringing their best team to Whangarei arriving here in time for dinner on Friday night. Wynyard All Black Forward.

Great interest will centre upon the appearance of J. G. Wynyard, (Waipa) recognised as one of the greatest forwards New Zealand has produced in this generation, Wynyard was an AH Black against the Springboks last year and has just returned from the Australian tour. He puts all his wegiht into the scrum and gives liis half ample protection. In the game with New Zealand Universities, won by Waikato last week, 15—6, he and the half worked the trick used by McKenzie and Saxton in the last Test in Sydney, Wynyard breaking out from the side of the scrum and Brown running be-, tween the scrum for the line.

Another player whose performance will be studied by Northland fans will be, It. G. Russell, the .Morrinsville half-back who, on two occasions has played for North Island. Injured in the Wellington match this year he could not be considered for the transTasman trip. W. Brown (Matamata), who has been playing half-back in the absence of Russell, will be seen ,at first five-eighths. Tried there in the latter stage of the Universities’ game he played well. Wth the inclusion of Harbutt (Cambridge) and Thomson (Waipa), the pack will be the strongest to represent Waikato this year. In its other representative matches Waikato has invariably been superior to its opponents in the set scrums, E. H. Catley (Taupiri), being an outstanding hooker who has played for the North Island, j C. White Available. I

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With the exception of four players on the injured list, Ryder, Codling, Scarborough and Wordley, North Auckland will have the same talent available as that which made such a good showing against Auckland. Most of the 19 players from whom the final selection will be made have already asesembled at the Settlers’ Hotel, Whangarei for coaching under Mr, Karl Ifwerson. To their number has been added C. White, the Whangarei player, who has returned from his tour of Fiji with the Maori All-Blacks. Early Start.

For the convenience of patrons from a distance, the match has been arranged to start at 2.15 p.m. New Players.

Particulars of the North Auckland team which played at Eden Park have already been given. Appended are thumbnail sketches of the new men for consideration:—

Ken Mack (B.ay of Islands), aged 24, height sft. 7in., v/eight 12st. Gibs. A cool and capable halfback, who excels when the going is heavy, Mack learned his football in Wellington and played until this season with the Athletic Senior Club. He assisted Otiria to win the B,ay championship. Gus Smith (Whangarei), 24, sft. 4in., 9st. 61b. The other candidate for Codling’s position as half, Gus Smith has played some scintillating games in the position. His exhibition for Whangarei against Grammar Old Boys was as good as any seen this season. Plucky ns they make them, Smith handles well.

R. Nathan (Mangonui), 28, 6ft., 15st. If the Goliath of Te Kao, most northerly club in the Dominion, is in the final team, there will be two Nathans playjng, the other being the Northern Wairoa man. Making his first appearance in big football, the Te Kao man plays either in the front row or lock.

R. Flavell (Northern Wairoa), 29. 14st., sft. llin. Unavailable for the Auckland fixture this season, Flavell

has been a leading member of the North Auckland pack for some years. He is ,an indefatigable worker, and was largely responsible for upsetting Whangarei’s Harding Shield prospects.

It is doubtful whether Callanan, the Whangarei forward, v/ill return in time for Saturday’s match.