Final Shield Match Tomorrow

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1949, Page 9

Final Shield Match Tomorrow

Rugby

DUNEDIN, Tue. (Sp.)— The ' final Ranfurly Shield match of the season, between Otago and Auckland, takes place at Carisbrook tomorrow. . The prospects are for good weather. Teams announced are: OTAGO Fullback, R. W. Orr; threequarters, R. H. Bell, G. J.' T. Moore, C. Moore; five-eighths, D. R. Wightman, J. McLeod; halfback, L. S. Woodhouse; front row, C. M. Garden, C. Todd, H. W. Wilson; middle row, J. Riach, or L. L. Thompson, J. C. Pilling, W. J. McNab, W. A. Lunn; back row, K. J. O'Connor. AUCKLAND Fullback, R. G. Sorenson; threequarters, J. K. McLean, J. M. Tanner, 8. - A. Sweet; five-eighths, R. L. Dobson, I. Versalko; halfback, G .Kearney, front row, A. L. West, A. M. Hughes, H. C McLaren; middle row, A. S. Taylor, D A. Cutler, R. D. Johnstone, W Andrew, back row, G. S. R. MacDonald. The final choice of the Otago backs hinges on whether Wightman, second five-eighths, has fully recovered from his injury to a thigh muscle. If he is not available, G. J. T. Moore will go to his position and Bell to centre, and R. Matchett will probably take Bell’s place on Ae wiDg. Aucklana will have an advantage of half a stone weight in the forwards.

N.I. Team Changes

WELLINGTON, Tue. (Sp.).—H. D. Harkness (Manawatu) will replace J. W. Kelly (Auckland) as fullback in the North Island Rugby team to play South Island at Christchurch on Saturday. Kelly was injured in the test against Australia. M. B. Couch (Wairarapa), who played at first five-eighths in both tests against the Australians, but who was not chosen in the North Island team, is now a reserve.