LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19057, 30 June 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE DOMINION TEAM. INCLUSION OF S. LOWRY. COMMENTS ON THE PLAYERS. Tho inclusion of S. Lowry, the Ponsonby hooker, in "tho New Zealand representative League team to tour Australia, was decided upon by the selectors, Messrs. C. Pearce, W. Liversidge and J. Hardingham, yesterday. Tho party, which will compriso 23 players, will sail for Sydney from Auckland on Friday. The selectors | were set a difficult task in choosing tho players to represent tho _ Dominion. Tho team chosen is a fairly strong side. The forwards, with, perhaps, one or two exceptions, fully represent the best of New Zealand's players. A largo following of League supporters will note with surprise the exclusion of N. Bass. This City forward has for years shown consistently good form. Ho possesses great pace and has a particularly good knowledge of back-row forward play. Bass has also shown high-class form as a back in'both club and representative football. He handles the ball remarkably well and has always stood out as a grim defender. His exclusion is hard to understand. A> Great Hooker. Tho decision to include S. Lowry will bo well received, for his omission from the 22 players selected on Saturday indicated that his claims had not received very serious consideration. No player in New Zealand has shown greater ability. Assuming that Townsend was not available, it is hard to understand how Green was chosen instead of. Lowry. Against the southern team on Saturday Townsend beat Green for the ball with monotonous regularity. J. O'Brien, the Marist forward, should do well on the tour. He has a good knowledge of scrum nyork, (and good front-row forwards are hard to find. The inclusion of the four South Island forwards, Monatfc, Ellis, Thomas and Henry will moot with general satisfaction. Tho quartette gave a sterling display on Saturday. The Successful Backs. The selectors have adopted a wise course in sending two fullbacks. Dufty is a clever player, who can take his place in any position in tho team. Gregory will be available to fill the position of fullback should a change be necessary. Brisbane is a surprise selection. His form this season has been disappointing, but ho has , the ability to make good. The halfbacks, Wilson-Hall and Webb, should gain ti good deal of experience that will improve their football tho tour progresses. B. Davidson was an unlucky player, his game on Saturday costing him a place in tho team.