THE RUGBY GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18483, 21 August 1923, Page 4

THE RUGBY GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. ; This i following representative . matches will be played by ; i the Auckland y teams during the remainder of the season,-— August 25-Agttinsfc Thames (V, diteside benefit); North Auckland, at Whonsarei . September Against Otago: i v. ; Sins Country, at Auckland. ~;■. _","•, » September • B—New /South Wales, .;•;■. v. Thames: Valley, at VPaeroa. - - *\ „■ •'•'.' September 16— Wellington. * , ~. TEST ' MATCHES, "'■■■ August 25—Acainst New South Wales, at Dunedin- , " ..__., v September Against New South Wales, at- Christchurch ■•■ , _ , - September 12-Againflt New South Wales, at Wellincton., - ....,'.■,;-""

The Wanganui-Auckland representative match is now history, but such history as must create in ? the memories of the most enthusiastic old-timers another such team with the complete combination and brilliancy of the team which showed such superiority in modern Rugby, particularly in back play as the Auckland fifteen which defeated the " All Blues '' of Wanganui. It is true that Wanganui was not represented. by its strongest sideIt is also true that Auckland was not ex-. tended to its greatest possibilities or its defence was in any way tested. But it also true that the combination was brilliant in attack, that the passing. was perfect, that the running was superb and the execution was . almost faultless, that any team infinitely stronger and more powerful in pack and back line than the recent visitors could have extended Auck- ! land/on present form. Auckland has acjc'omplished this high standard of back play I in the comparatively short period since the war, "' when ¥ most ; ! fof ? the »provinces: best players played "the Great Game on the flooded field of Flanders. The Auckland representative team has yet to meet the real test before the present side can b6 regarded as the best that has represented the province. This test may be forthcoming with Otago,* which is' to play Auckland on September 1, but as the Southern touring team is not the strongest side that the province can produce it may not be a real test of Rugby supremacy. Otago is in the unfortunate position of touring with a comparatively weak side, several of its best players, notably, Dr. Perry, five-eighths, of Otago University, who is regarded as the superior of.Fea, the Army and South Island captain, of last season. J. Sinclair, the Otago and Now Zealand fullback/ together with Murray, the ex-Auckland University ' threequarter, who has been playing fine football for Otago University until an injury incapacitated him from further play. Diack and Mackereth are also absentees from the Otago touring team, which, consequently, will not be at full strength to meet Auckland in a real Rugby test on the homo ground. Th» New South Wales Team. Possibly the task of ..extending Auckland will be the work of the New South Wales touring team, but if this first match form is to be accepted as a guide, which should not be so accepted, the Australians will not extend Auckland to its limits. When the visitors are strengthened by the six players who will join the team at Dunedin for the first test match, and achieve some semblance of combination opinions may then be expressed as to Auckland's prospects. '

Consequent on the unfortunate incident in the -sub-union match in Rangitikei, when four, players of the original Wanganui team, Potaka, Peina, King! and Hartly, preferred to play for their club in a club championship match, while the Wanganui team was opening its northern tour, these players are not available for the ' touring team. The players were suspended, but after an inquiry and an explanation from the Rangitikei sub-union the suspension was removed. 'It was generally anticipated that this would have afforded the players an. opportunity of rejoining the Wanctanui team for the match against' Auckland, but to the. disappointment of : Rugby supporters in general v and the officials of the Auckland Rugby Union' ini particular, the Wanganni touring team decided not to include the players referred to, preferring those men who had loyally come to their assistance, at inconvenience, on the eve of- the departure of the team for the northern tour, i This i fact necessitated a rearrangement of the Wanßanui team, .which consequently, weakened the side, particularly in the back division. When the .circumstances are taken into, consideration, Wanganni is to be congratulated on their fight to the finish acainßt overwhelming odds in a contest that wasmemorable for the fine "sporting spirit in which it was played.

The New Zealand Selection. The extra charge of two shillings for the grand-stand, at Eden Park, on Saturday, created little, if any, feeling of resentment by the public, who appeared happy to pay for such fine exhibitions of Rugby as have been accorded in big football the past three Saturdays. The attendance at the Auck land-Taranaki, and £he New Plymouth High Bchool-Grammar contest for the Moascar Cup, was estimated at 13.000. Of this number upwards of over 10,000 paid for admission, while 2000 schoolboys were admitted free of charge and other deserving supporters also received free access to the games. This consideration on the part of the Auckland Rugby Union is being greatly appreciated, especially by tho schoolboys, in whom the future of the game lies.

Possibly the selectors of the New Zealand team for the test matches against New South Wales have. realised ere this that Auckland has a few backs who are well qualified for , test ; match honours and fit representatives for any New Zealand team. Particularly is this the position with those three; fine backs, Lucas, K. Ifwersen, and V. Badeley, who on present form, have shown qualifications for big football. It is possible, too, that realising this fact, through the matches against Southland, Taranaki and Wanganui, the New Zealand selectors will recognise, though tardily, that Auckland is entitled to some consideration of i€s representatives for test match football, not to say for the still more important event,,-the New Zealand team for England next year. A Taranaki Aspirant. .. Like Auckland, our recent visitor, Taranaki, is subject also to some serious consideration for test match players of qualification. ■ Notably, is this so in the case of West, the "All Black" forward of 1921 against the Springboks, who, on present form, is worthy of 6ome recognition for his services as a test player for this year's New Zealand team. So sore: are the Taranaki Rugby officials that West is the one player in Taranaki deserving of consideration that 'hey propose bringing the matter under the notice of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Whether this is a wise procedure, it is not polite to say, but the fact remains that the : New Zealand selectors have not satisfied many of the unions in the matter of their selection of the 20 players from which the final fifteen will- be chosen to represent New Zealand in the first test match against New Ronth Wales .at Dunedin, on Saturday, It is not too late, even at this date, to remedy the weakness in the selection for the benefit of securing the services of the best players in the Dominion to represent New Zealand in the series of test matches in ■'. international -Rugby football. Several of the sub-nnioni are also clamouring for some consideration for their players whom they think fit for tpst honours. For "instance, C. Fletcher, who is* well known in Auckland as a grpat forward, who plays with dash and who has an intelligent knowledge of modern forward play, is worthy of some recognition, narticnlarlv. as on present form, he must he retarded as qualified for a place in the first 20 of New Zealand's best, if not in the final fifteen. ' '■. -v '<':

KING COUNTRY TEAM. [BY TELEGRAPH. ' ronWKSPOVDRNT. ' • TATJMARTJNUI. Monday. Considerable interest is being taken in I the match on Wednesday next between :. Hawke's Bay and King Country at Tauimarnnui. The following players will .re- ! present King Country :—ParranV Brice, | Byrne, Carlson, > Brown, Nikora, Reichenbach, Foster, Ge&nge, Watson, Bennett, jS, Hartj, Young, Pilkington, and Raleigh.