INTER-ISLAND RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 11

INTER-ISLAND RUGBY.

NORTHERN TEAM SELECTED.

THREE AUCKLAND PLAYERS. SOLOMON, HADLEY AND BATTY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The North Island Rugby team to play the South Island at Wellington next Saturday has been selected as follows Fullback. —G. Kerr (North Auckland). Threequarters.—D. J. Oliver (Wairarapa), A. E. Cooke (Hawke's Bay), N. Ball (Wellington). Ball is at present suffering from concussion, and it is doubtful if he will play. Five-eighths.—M. F. Nicholls and B Lilburne (Wellington). Halfback.—F. D. Ivilby (Wellington^ Wing-forward.—F. Solomon (Auckland ). Hookers.—S. Hadley (Auckland), K. Reid (Wairarapa). - Lock. —R. G. Steere (Hawke's Bay) Sides.—H. F. McLean (Wellington), C. Cameron (Waikato). Back Row. —C. Anderson (Hawke's Bay), W. Batty (Auckland). Emergencies. —Back: R. Watson (Taranaki); forward, N. Wanoa (Hawke's Bay). The team is to assemble at Wellington next Friday morning. SOLID FORWARD SIDE. SOME VETERAN ALL BLACKS. CORNER MISSES SELECTION. The North Island team looks a fairly strong one on paper. The forwards are a solid lot, while the backs are nearly all much experienced. Nicholls is the veteran of the team, he hiving played for New Zealand against the Springboks eleven years ago. He was also a member of the All Black teams which toured Great Britain in 1924 and South Africa in 1928. Cooke comes next to Nicholls in the matter of experience, as he went Home in 1924 and to South Africa in 1928. Lilburne, Ivilby and Hadley were all members of the New Zealand team which went to South Africa three years ago. Lilburne also went to Australia with the New Zealand team of 1929. Batty and Steere played for New Zealand against the Australian team in 1928, while Steere and Reid went to Australia the following season. Nicholls, Cooke, Lilburne, Oliver, Steere, McLean and Batty wore the All Black jersey in the test matches against the British team last season. It will thus be seen that ten of the North Island players have represented New Zealand. Those playing for the North Island for the first time on this occasion are Kerr, Ball, Solomon, Cameron and Anderson. Solomon should make his presence felt and if he plays up to his best form he is likely to win his New Zealand cap in the only test match to be played against Australia next month. Ball has been playing fine club football in Wellington. Cameron is one of the best forwards Waikato has produced, while Anderson is also a good type who may go further. The choice of Kerr as fullback may cause some discussion. Certainly he played a fine game for North Auckland against Auckland last season, but he has the reputation among good judges in the north of being a little inconsistent. However, a great opportunity now presents itself to him. The failure of the sole Auckland selector to nominate Heazlewood for the position of fullback for the North Island has given rise to considerable comment. Heazlewood has represented both islands in these matches, and at his best is a fine exponent. The big surprise, not solely from an Auckland point of view, is the omission of Corner. The Auckland halfback played in three of the four tests against the British team last season, and his exhibitions won him unstinted praise from the southern critics. He certainly went off a little a few weeks ago, but he is now playing at the top of his form again and his many supporters will regret that he is not being given a further opportunity of playing himself into the 1931 New Zealand side. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. OTAGO DEFEATS WAIRARAPA. TWELVE POINTS TO THREE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIISr, Saturday. The Rugby match between the Waira- | rapa and Otago representatives at Carisbrook to-day attracted 8000 spectators. Otago won by 12 points to 3. The weather was fine, but dull. Allen, McKenzie and Simon scored for Otago in the first spell, but none of the trios was converted. Fitzgerald scored an unconverted try for the visitors. The second spell was much more even. A few minutes before time Allen scored a spectacular try and Bush failed to convert. CANTERBURY SURPRISED. A DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The South Canterbury Rugby team defeated Canterbury by 21 points to 9 this afternoon. The form and combination of the visitors appeared to surprise the home team, which failed to settle down in tho first spell, in which it had the advantage of tho wind. Tho spell ended with tho score 6 all. Canterbury was outplayed in tho second spell by a fine battling side. Canterbury's display against tho deadly spoiling and weight of tho visitors was generally disappointing and several of the new men in the side fell far below expectations. South Canterbury was the best combined team Canterbury has met this season and its victory was well deserved. For the winners tries were scored by McDonald, Morrison and Callanan, Callanan's try being converted by Strang; penalty goals were kicked by Dick and Strang, and Connolly potted a goal. Canterbury's score was made up by tries by Thompson and Oliver and a penalty goai by Edwards.