LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19394, 31 July 1926, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. TO-DAY'S NOTABLE MATCH. CONTEST WITH AUCKLAND. Auckland supporters of the League code will be able to judge for themselves this afternoon the calibre of the t*am to tour in England, for the Dominion's representatives will be seen in action against Auckland at Carlaw Park. Counterbalancing the fact that, owirig to injuries, illness and other unforeseen circumstances, the New Zealand team is not fully representative of the Dominion's strength, there is the speculation regarding the results of the strict training schedule the players have observed during the week. Under the supervision of Mr. E. H. Mair the team has been drilled in tactics which have only to be carried out to-day to assuro a sparkling display of football. Wilson-Hall will be partnered at fivo■eighth by Webb instead of Cole. The lastmentioned player has an injured nose and the selectors have decided to take no risks by, playing him this afternoon. Instead, he has been placed among the reserves and will play only if necessary. Davidson is unable to- play through sickness. As Mouatt will only arrive from the South this morning and will thus be feeling the effects of the train journey ho has been placed on the reserve list also. The inability of Riley to play for Auckland has been overcome by including Wade in the threequarter line, on the wing, and moving List to centre. The Auckland thirteen has plenty of talent and lacks nothing in the way of physical fitness so that the contest should be fast and spectacular. The revised teams are:— NEW ZEALAND. Fullback: C. Dufty. Threequartcrs: G. Gardiner, W. Desmond, L. Brown. Five-eighths: A. Wilson-Hall, S. Webb. Halfback : F. Delgrosso. Forwards: F. Henry, A. Carroll, E. Herring, L. Mason, H. Thomas, B. Avery, captain. Reserves: Backs, H. Cole, J. Parkes. Forwards, A. Singe, N. Mouatt. AUCKLAND. Fullback: A. Mansill. Threequarters: 1. Littlewood, W. List, Wade. * Five-eighths: M. Wetherall, C. Prentice. Halfback: T. Peckham. Forwards: O'Brien (Marist), St. George, O'Brien (Devonport), Payne, Dixon, A. Scott. Reserves: Little, Hutfc, L. Scott, Cleaver, Bass, Stormont, Campbell. Referee: Mr. W. Mincham. A FAREWELL FUNCTION. CONFIDENCE IN THE TEAM. An enthusiastic farewell function in honour of the New Zealand League team, which will leave for England on Tuesday, was tendered bv the Auckland Rugby League Glee Club last evening. Mr. W. J. Hammill, chairman of the management committee of tho League, presided over a large and representative gathering. Referring to the tour of the 1907 League team, Mr. Hammill stated that of 46 matches played 27 were won, 18 lost and 3 drawn. He hoped the present team would at least equal tho record of their predecessors. Mr. Mair said the standard of League football in England was higher than it had ever been before. Notwithstanding this, he believed the New Zealanders would return with a record to be proud of. According to Mr. Mair, the present team was leaving the Dominion better equipped than any previous football team. In spite of the fact that the present team was considered a weak combination, Mr. Mair predicted that it would achieve unexpected succesa.