RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19081, 28 July 1925, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES.

GOOD CONTESTS PROMISED. Tho Auckland Rugby team which played Poverty Bay at Gisborno last Friday returned by the Wainui yesterday morning, after a rough and unpleasant trip. Tho players were unfortunate in encountering bad weather on the trip to Gisbomo also, but the game was a good ono. Tho Poverty Bay team is said to possess somo excellent material, although a natural weakness was lack of finish. This would bo remedied if tho players could got more practice against good teams. Tho list of representative matches to be played in Auckland this season is as follows : August 15 (Flcot Week).— Canterbury v. Auckland. August 19 (Fleet Week).—King Country v. Auckland. August 19.—Now South Wales v. Now Zealand (test match). August 22 (Fleet Week).—Waikato v. Auckland. September 12.—Hawke's Bay v. Auckland. September 26.—Wellington v. Auckland October 3. —Taranaki v. Auckland. October 10.—Auckland v. Bay of Plonty. Another fleet week attraction will lie tho match between Now Plymouth High School and Auckland Grammar School on August IS. This should bo an excellent game. Although tho Auckland representatives will not go on tour this season they play King Country at Taumarunui on August 29, North Auckland at Whangarei on September 5, and it is proposed that a match should bo played against Taranaki in Taranaki on September 19. Thames-Auckland Game. A first-class exhibition was not to bo oxpected in thj Thames-Auckland match on Saturday owing to the heavy, greasy stato of tho ground, but thero were plenty of bright incidents and somo excellent individual efforts. Tho strength of the visiting team was in the forwards, whoso spoiling tactics and good footwork kept tho scoro down and repeatedly had the local fifteen in difficulties, especially in tho second half. Lomas, Smith and Pollock wero the most prominent. Tho backs lacked variety and pace in attack, and did not make tho most of opportunities mado by their forwards. Morrissey, on tho wing, tackled well until ho had to retire owing to an injury. Cosgrove, at fullback, saved his side on many occasions, his tackling being sound. Mcßao was the best of tho insido backs. Tho ball was seldom hooked cleanly from tho scrums, and the local forwards wero little superior to tho visiting pack in general play, but they co-operated well with their backs, and their ability in handling movements gave Auckland a decided advantage. The backs brought off a number of smart passing bouts in spite of tho adverso conditions, Olsen, on the wing, played one of his best games, and made no mistakes, doing all that was of him in good style. Lucas was responsible for a lot of good work, and was generally conspicuous, but ho showed a tendency to try to do too much, the result being that ho was too frequently caught with the ball. Matson's display was by no means faultless, but with his pace and determination ho is always a dangerous scoring back. I Carter was at his best and gave a sound, clever performance. His handling was safe and ho mado somo fino openings. ! Foster, the other five-eighths, played well up to form, and although ho seemed to lack pace ho opened up the gamo well. Wright got through a lot of work and should be an asset in the major representative fixtures. O'Brien, at fullback, was much below form. Knight was probably the best of tho local pack, working hard in tho tight play, and snowing cleverness in the loose. His pace and ability to handle tho ball always stand his sido in good stead. Peters again showed improvement, giving his best display to date this season. He took a prominent part in a number of fine movements and should soon be back to his old form. Righton played a solid game, while Macdonald worked honestly throughout and was generally on tho ball Assisting an Injured Player. Tho suggestion that a benefit match should be arranged for V. Badeley, tho popular young Auckland representative who was seriously injured in tho All Black trial match at Eden Park in May of last year, will bo endorsed by a wide circle of friends and supporters of the game. Badeley had represented Auckland since ISI9, was a member of the All Black team of 1922, and had earned a fine reputation by his ciean, clever play. Through his accident Badeley not only lost a great chance cf selection in the All Black team of 1924 and had to retire definitely from tho gamo, but ho has not yet been able to resume work. For many months after receiving his injury Badeley was in hospital, and it was not until early in this year that ho was sufficiently recovered to get about. Sinco then ho has steadily improved, and hopes to be ablo to start work again shortly. Tho question of assisting him in a practical manner has been discussed bv tho Grammar Old Boys' Club, of which Badeley is a member, and tho suggestion of a benefit match has been endorsed. Tho matter will be brought before tho Auckland Rugby Union this week, THE WAIKARE SUB-UNION. Tho Waikaro Sub-Union's competition for tho Pulham and Begbio Shield was brought to a close on Saturday, Rangiriri winning tho trophy by a margin of two points. The standard of play lias shown a great improvement over the previous season and tho shield matches havo been very keenly contested. The following team has been selected to represent Waikaro against Franklin next Saturday at Rangiriri:—Macky, Blakcy, Ward, C. Storey, Puru, Austin, Bain, H. De Thierry, Yendell, Jefferis, Morris, Mason, Souter, Bridgens, Anderson. Reserves: W. Do Thierry, C. Carter, J. Thompson, Robson, N. Storey, A. Callighan. Any player not availablo should notify tho secretary. THE KUSABS CUP. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA. Monday. Tho following team has been selected to represent Tauranga in the Kusabs Cup match against To Puke at Tauranga on August B:—Fullback, M. Fitzroy; threcquarters, P. Ngatai, G. lies and D. Borell; five-eighths, C. Humo and C. Hollis; halfback, H. Kelly; rover, W. Turner; forwards, C. Faulkner, Mayfield, Tui Tangitu, 11. Barton, D. Nathan, I. Tangitu, D. Tapeta. Emergencies: G. Tangitu and Hattarika, backs; Honiana and G. Mason, forwards. Other Kusabs Cup fixtures for August 8 are:—Rotorua v. Taupe, at Rotorua; Whakatano v. Rangitaiki, at Rangitaiki; Opotiki v. Apanui, at Opotiki. Tho final for tho Jordan Cup senior competition under tho auspices of tho Tauranga Rugby Union will bo played between Cadets Old Boys and To Puna on Saturday. WELLINGTON NOMINATIONS. [by TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday. From the following tho Wellington team to play Southland on August 5 will bo chosenßacks: Walters, Svenson, Johnson, Bedell, Hickey, F. Tilyard Lovo (University), M. Nichols, Warwick; forwards: B. Wilson, Shearer (2), Martin, Smith Sly, Young, Selwyn, Porter, Thonjsß, o'Regan, Matheson (Wellington), Duncan (Athletic).