Big Rugby Tomorrow

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1948, Page 5

Big Rugby Tomorrow

The stage is tastefully set for the New Zealand Maoris v. Northland Rugby match in Whangarei tomorrow. The beautiful spring weather of the past week has dried out Rugby Park, and the ground is in excellent order, although bare in patches. With the sun apparently 1 bound to hold sway for some time yet, everything is set for spectacular football.

The Maoris have recovered from their Fiji trip and looked fit and lively when training at the park this morning.

The five Northland members, Smith, Pearson. Cherrington, Isaacs and Te Haara, will be playing. Murray will also be in the side, at second firmeighths. Smith suffered a knee injury at Auckland on Wednesday, but expects to be in good condition. The Northland team was out this morning and after lunch with selectorcoach Mr Ted Griffin. THREE OLD HANDS Mr Griffin is taking the field tomorrow with only three of last year’s Northland reps in his XV. They are forwards —Fraser, White and Pausina. The Bay of Islands front-row man, Te Tai, has not turned up to take his place in the team. C. Isaacs (Northern Wairoa) was enlisted as emergency forward. Mr H. Mabbett (Warkworth) is refereeing the game. A large crowd is expected and, with the Brake Shield game between Whangarei and Mangonui as the curtainraiser, fans are looking forward to a day of grand football. The Maoris’ traditional flair for the spectacular plus the happy memories of the Prince of Wales Cup game will act as a big draw. The teams are:— New Zealand Maoris.—M. Kenny; N. Cherrington, J. B. Smith, K. Pearson; J. Murray, B. Couch; Sciascia; J. Te Haara, G. Parahi, W. Carrington, T. Smith, L. Hohaia, R. Hohaia, J. Isaacs, A. W. Blake. Reserves:/ back, M. De'lamere; forward, H. Ranapia. Northland.—C. Campbell, F. Berridge, S. Erceg, H. Penney, B. Beazley, W. Bowmar. T. R ; chardson, W. Thomas, P. Clarke, S. Pausina, C. Harris, I. Fraser, S. Urlich, P. Murphy, S. White. Reserves: backs, H. Adolph, J. Nelson; forwards, C. Mcßae, C. Isaacs.

JUNIOR REPS

The Brake Shield teams are:—

Whangarei.—Howson, Davies, Cunningham, Beazley, Gunson, Mason;, Hamilton; front row, Marshall, Birchall, Brown; second row, Flower, Cope, Maihi, Dickie; back row, Arncil. Mangonui.—Gibbons, Simeon, Berghan, Olsen, McPherson, Morpeth, Koroi, Wagener, Roughsedge, Maheno, Dudley, Julian, Yates, Masters, Anderson.