RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 16

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. ' DEFEAT BY HAWKE'S BAY. ' • * ; v"..... v SELECTOR'S UNUSUAL METHODS. V; • . - ' " '• - ' / ' | Auckland's Rugby representatives have mado an inauspicious start in the season's inter-provincial matches, having suffered a sound' defeat at tho hands of Hawks's Bay, while the second fifteen did not have much to spare in tho game against South Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon. The match against Southland will be, played on Saturday next, and it will be interesting to see what alterations tho selector makes in the side which went to Napier last week. That some changes will havo to be mado is certain. Tho solo selector, Mr. G. Nicholson, has adopted a most unusual attitude this season, as ho has refused to divulge the names of players ho has nominated for the North Island team. Members of tho Auckland Rugby Union do not even know what names havo gono forward. Surely, ■the right course is to send tho names through tlio union. The selector has stated he has private reasons for not announcing tho names. Attempts made by a Hehald representative to obtain the personnel of tho 'Auckland team to play South Auckland last Saturday wero of .no avail, tho official reply being that "it depended upon the weather." So Auckland apparently Ts in the happy position of having wet-day and dry-day players! If a man is good enough to get -into a representative side ho should be able to play in all kinds of weather. Duty to Public. Public support keeps the game going and surely the people are entitled to know whom they aro paying to watch. The Rugby Union must share in tho blame for the non-publication of such information. That body has every right to know what- is going on, and unless it demands information which tho selector is at present witholding, it is not doing its duty to the large body of followers of the game. The ' prolonged" absence of tho selector from the Rugby fields this season has been tho cause of much complaint among ' the players and public, and tho fruits of his choice of representatives were borne out ia the displays given by both teams on Saturday last. x Wlien it came to a ■last-iriinute choice for the second fifteen Stacey and Macindoe were dropped. Tho first-named is one of the most consistent forwards in Auckland, and he is just the type to infuse more life into a dull pack, such as was seen in action against South Auckland. . . As for Macindoe, he is one of the nippiest five-eighths and straightest runners that have been seen this season. His presence alongside Year would have made a big difference to the Auckland team. Voar ■made some nice runs, but had nobody to follow him. Weak Defence. Regarding the match with Hawke's Bay, Auckland's downfall appears to have "been caused through weak defensive work bv the backs. Consequently, home changes may be looked for in this department. The selector could also effect an improvement in the pack by putting in one or two players younger and more energetic than some who now wear the representative jersey. presenco of L. K. Heazlewood should solve a problem for the selector .if ho is searching for a first-class fullback whose defence is beyond reproach. Butler's display last Saturday was easily liis best of the season, and, while he is more solid, than Davies, he falls a little short of the Heazlewood standard. ' With players like Stacey and Macindoo acting as emergencies for the second fifteen, it does not appear possible that they will receive any consideration for the first representative side, but neither would disgrace himself in tho better company. Barker is another forward worthy of promotion, and how the selector overlooked Nelson, of Technical Old Boys, in his choice of two packs of forwards, is very hard to understand. Nelson is one of the hardest-working forwards playing here, never lotting up before he hears the final whistle.