INTER-ISLAND RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 12

INTER-ISLAND RUGBY.

NORTH! VERSUS SOUTH.

TO-DAY'S CHRISTCHURCH MATCH PERSONNEL OF THE TEAMS, The twenty-fourth Inter-Island Rugby match wilt bo played at Christchurch today. In the matches already played tho North Island has been successful in 1.3 games and the South in 8, while two have been drawn. The North has scored 457 points against 226. Considerable interest will be taken in to-day's match in view of tho forthcoming visit of tho Waratahs. With the New Zealand players in South Africa an opportunity will be afforded young and promising talent to make good.

As far as the North Island is concerned there are several seasoned players among its number. Porter, Cooke, Roach, Knight, Palmer, Finlayson, and Willoughby (2) are well known throughout tho Dominion. Paewai, who was originally chosen as fullback, was unable to make the trip. L. Hook, who has been playing great football on tour, is suffering from an injury and is replaced by Minns.

Tho South Island team also includes well-known players in Stevenson, McClymont, Oliver, Snodgrass, Holden, Clark, Bird, Freitas, and Marslin. Each one has played in All Black trial matches. It is reported Hay, a very promising first fiveeighth, will play as second string to Bradanovitch. This is a position wholly foreign to the Canterbury man, and the formation may upset tho South rearguard combination. A somewhat similar procedure was followed by tho South selectors in 1926 when both Kilby and Bailey were included in the team, tho latter as first five-eighth. The South Island suffered defeat by 41 points to 9, the backs giving a very feeble display. After the debacle it is significant to recall that two of the South Island selectors of that year were not chosen the following season.

As a general rule a good first fiveeighth can play ■well in the outside position, but Hay happens to bo an exception to the rule. Such a sound judge as A. E. Cooke considers Hay one of the best players he has seen in the first five-eighth position. It should appear then that if the South Island selectors are playing the Canterbury man as second five-eighth they are committing a grave error of judgment. Last year the North and South Island game served as a trial match for the tour to South Africa, South winning after a fast, open game by 31 points to 30. With such stalwarts as Porter and CoSke in the North Island team this year it appears it has an advantage in experience over the Southerners, but it is very likely another close gamo will bo witnessed in Christchurch to-day. Following are the teams for the match :

South Island. Fullback.—Stevenson (Otago). Threequarters.—McClymont (Ofago), C. Oliver (Canterbury), Snodgrass (Nelson). Five-eighths.—Hay (Canterbury), Bradanovitch (Otago). Halfback.—Holden (Otago). Forwards. —Toby Robinson, rover (Canterbury), Howden (Southland), Clark (Canterbury), Jackson (Canterbury), Batchelor "(Southland), Bird (Southland), Freitas (West Coast), Marslin (Otago). Emergencies.—Back: Haughton (Otngo). Forward: Coxhead (South Canterbury). North Island. Fullback.—Roach (Wairarapa).. Threequarters.—W. H. Carlson (Wanganui), Minns (Auckland), M. Anderson (Waikato). Five-eighths. —A. E. Cooke (Wairarapa), W. Langlands (Poverty Bay). Halfback.—G. Bramwell (Poverty Bay). Forwards.—C. G. Porter, rover (Wellington), Calmer (Auckland), Finlayson (Auckland), M. Willoughbv (Wairarapa), W. Batty (Auckland), R. Steele (Hawke's Bay), Knight (Auckland), S. Willo'ughby (Wairarapa). Reserves.—Forward : IC. Reid (Wairarapa). Back: P. Kemp (Waikato).

SOUTH TEAM FAVOURED. RELIANCE ON FORWARDS. MINNS SELECTED AS CENTRE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT..] CHKISTCHURCH, Friday. The weather looks promising for the inter-island Rugby match to-morrow, but the ground is sure to be heavy after the rain on Wednesday and Thursday. Minns has been telegraphed for to come from Wellington and is expected in the morning. Paewai's place is being fdlcd by Roach, Wairarapti. The South Island team is favourite here, faith being pinned on the forwards, who are all good sr.ruminers. Given plenty of the ball tiie South backs should set. a merry pace. In some circles the selectors have been criticised for the selection of the liveeighths. Both Hay and Bradanovitch play first five-eighth and to-morrow Hay will be moved out to the second position, where he will bo opposed to Cooko. It looks a doubtful experiment, as Hay has not sufficient pace for a second fiveeighth. However, should he link up well the South backs will l*o a dangerous combination.

The North Island forwards, of whom Auckland provides the bulk, will have to do their best in the scrums and tight work to hold their opponents. , The North backs have been chosen from a wider area than has ever been tho case before and it remains to be seen how the players from the smaller unicps will fare. Any weakness near the scrum will be fatal to North's chances, as Cooko will not be so dangerous unless he gets the ' balL quickly. The playing of Minns at centre will weaken tho North defence, but if he does not do well there lie will probably bo shifted to the wing. The substitution of. Iloach for Paewai is not likely to increase the defensive qualities of the back division. Tho result looks very open, but the South Island has a greater proportion of players who have taken part in bigger Rugby games. However, there will be an excellent opportunity to-morrow for now players' to make a name for themselves, as it is certain several All Blacks will retire after tho present South African tour. Porter will captain the North team and Snodgrass will probably lead the South.