LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19147, 13 October 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

brillsant queenslanders. VISITORS AT THEIR BEST. END OF A SUCCESSFUL TOUR. The Queensland team gave a fine display of League football at Carlaw Park on Saturday and completely outclassed the Auckland provincial thirteen. The visitors, with their speed and power of anticipation, were seen at their best and treated the large crowd to many wonderful movements which nonplussed the home side. The features of the visitors' play was the support accorded any player who made an opening. Not once did the forwards miss the opportunity of assisting their backs, and at times the front division showed pace equal to that possessed by the backs. The match was a fitting end to a si*> cessful tour, and the Queenslanders are undoubtedly as fine exponents of the League code as any team that has visited New Zealand.

Auckland made a poor showing. Their defence was not up to the usual standard, and the visitors made the most of this weakness. The local forwards played well, but received little support from the rear division. Comments on the Players. Queensland possess a fine player in Frauenfeider, their fullback, whose ability to open up {he attack was one of the features of the game. He handled the ball beautifully, and placed his kicks to good advantage. Edwards was a great worker behind the scrum, and never missed an opportunity of sending his backs away. Moores ably supported him. He is a voung player of great promise. Patrons at Carlaw Park have rarely, if ever, seen a more polished player than -T. Giorman, Queensland's brilliant centrethreetjuarter. He was the life of all attacking movements, and his clever running played havoc with the local backs. Craig was also prominent throughout and retains his form, in a wonderful manner. He was again consistent in his efforts at goal-kicking, placing no fewer than nine goals. Great pace and clean handling characterised the performances by Spencer and Avnsley, who were always on hand to finish off a movement. Spencer played with more dash than his team mate, but the latter's pace made tries easier. . The visitors can claim a very tine pacts:. Their six forwards delighted the spectators with their quick, snappy passing and in this department Armbruster was tho best and gave a brilliant display. His fine turn of speed was of great assistance to his backs. Purccll and Stemohrt also p'aysd fine games. Potter and Bennett, worked hard in the scrums. Local Team Disappointing.

Few of the local players gave their best, display and individually their showing was disappointing. The team was not given much opportunity of practising together and it seems as if the importance of w nnpig, or at least of making a good showing, was not considered by those in authority. A game worth playing is worth more attention than was shown during last week when the players chosen were asked to attend training. Kaynor, at fullback, started badly and was unfortunate in receiving a knock that necessitated his retirement. Johnson, on the wing showed plenty of pace and was keen to show his best form. Chances, however, were none too frequent. Delgrosso had a day oil and was rarely prominent. He has had a hard season.

Gardiner played his best game so far in representative football and made several bold dashes.

Interviewed after the game Gorman am! Spencer ventured the opinion that Gardiner was a great player and said that his inconsistent displays wore probably due to unnecessary " barracking" from spectators on the sideline. Tie local forwards lacked the dash shown in their previous games against Queensland, and the home pack was overshadowed. Townsend was perhaps the best of the front division, and his consistent hooking calls for special comment, Avery and Singe were also prominent but the} got very little support. When Raynor was hurt just before the interval there was considerable surprise when Te Whata, the reserve forward went on to the wing instead of List, the chosen reserve back, being sent on to fill the vacancy. This is surely an injustice to tha Kingsiand player who was ready on this line. The action of the selectors cannot be commended and it is to be hoped that the New Zealand Council will ask for an explanation for a dangerous precedent has been established.