Thumbnail Sketches Of Teams for Saturday’s Rugby Test

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1939, Page 9

Thumbnail Sketches Of Teams for Saturday’s Rugby Test

J?OR SATURDAY’S BIG RUGBY MATCH AT KENSINGTON PARK,

WHANGAREI, AUCKLAND WILL BE FIELDING THE IDENTICAL SIDE WHICH DEFEATED WAIKATO 31-12 AT EDEN PARK EARLIER IN THE MONTH.

For the first time in many years the city team will have a heavier pack, the average weight of its forwards being 14st 31b, compared (with 13st 1011 b of, the local men.

The North Auckland backs are slightly heavier at list 9-lTb as against list 21b.

The average age of the North Auckland backs is 23 years and of the forwards 27 years, heights being sft Sin and sft lliin.

Home Side’s Strength in Backs

The strength of North Auckland on the football field has in past years been in the forwards, but this year the backs will be probably leading the way.

With the key men in the backs, Codling, Gibson and White,, out of one club team and Cunningham a winger from the same team—Hikurangi—leaders in the Whangarei senior competition, the combination will be hard to beat. “Nip” Lambly, as the second five-eighths, at Dargaville proved that his play worked in with the Hfkurangi “Quads.” Well Matched Forwards

The forwards will not average the weight of the usual North Auckland pack, neither will there be the long reaching line-out men who previously showed to advantage in North Auckland teams. A lighter, evenly matched pack of workers v/ill be donning the Cambridge blue of North Auckland this year.

It is interesting to note that the following players have been nominated for inclusion in the North Island minor union’s team to play a similar team from the South Island at Christchurch on Saturday, August 19: .Backs: R. White, A. Cunningham, Des Codling and Nip Lambly; forwards; W. Cooper and Williams.