THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20949, 12 August 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

INTER-ISLAND FIXTURE. CARLAW PARK NEXT SATURDAY. FORM OF NORTHERN PLAYERS. The first representative Rugby League match of tho season will bo played at Car law Park next Saturday, when the North and South Island teams meet in tho annual fixture. Followers of the code have so far enjoyed a 'very successful club season and moro than usual interest is attached to next Saturday's representative game. The North Island selector, Mr. A. McClymont, has chosen the bare 13 players and his selection has been carefully considered. It is interesting to uoto that tho Marist Club is represented by eight players. This is a record of which any club could well feel proud. Little exception can bo taken to tho positions in ■ tho backs won by Auckland ' players. Campbell, List, Meehan, Davidson, Hassan and Brisbane have all played good football throughout the season. Tho choice of Campbell as fullback is likely to be debated by many. Tho Marist custodian is perhaps the best fullback seen out this season, his displays being more consistent than those of Simons and Watene, who are moro impressive when in form. Campbell has scarcely shown form worthy of representative standard and a choice from other backs for the position would not have surprised. List has all the credentials of a fullback, and Seagar is the type suited to> tho position. Davidson as Coach. It was only to be expected that Meehan would secure a place on the wing. His scoring ability has placed the Marist threoquarter on a high plane, but he may bo found wanting on defence. Tho selector has used good judgment in choosing Davidson as one of the centres. The City captain is a brilliant attacking back who can make play well for his wings. Davidson has accepted an appointment as coach for the Northland League and left for Whangarpi last Saturday. It will be regretted if he is not seen in action next Saturday. F. Abbott, South Auckland, has gained his first representative cap. The Ngaruawabia wing, who is a brother of the New Zealand halfback, is said to possess pace above tho ordinary and to bo a dangerous. scoring back. List is playing in good form at present and deserves a place in the threcquarter line. It was not surprising to see Brisbane selected for the inside position. Auckland club teams are weak iu this respect. O'Donncll, of Devonport, is a good type and only requires more experience on attack to gain representative honours soon. Tho selection of Hassan, at halfback, was the only one possible. He has been one of the outstanding players in club football and in his position has had much to do with the Marist team's success. Surprise Selections. Some surprise selections have, been made in the forwards and Marist, which is not the best sot in the competition, is represented by three. By reason of his hooking Campbell has won his place as centre-forward. His duel with Townsend (South Island) next Saturday will be interesting. Townsend's style has often been the subject of comment, and last Saturday Mr. Bull threatened to remove Campbell from the hooker's position. Carter, Marist, although a fino clnb forward, can hardly be classed as an inter-Island representative. Clarke is essentially a loose forward and gives the scrum little support in formation. Experience has no' doubt prompted the selector in the choice of Hutt (Ponsonby) and McPherson (Huntly) In the front row. "The country forward is a splendid scrummager. Timms, who did so well against England several seasons ago, is reported to be in good form. Several forwards, namely, Ruby, Simpson, E. Scott (Devonport), Ivesou (City) and Lawless (Richmond), must be considered unlucky. Iveson has played outstanding football this season, J while the Devonport players have stronger claims than several chosen. The scrum, too, wonld be strengthened by the inclusion of A. Scott, whose experience would prove invaluable. • - Southern Players. The South Island team is usually strong in the forwards, and this year's thirteen is said to be the best chosen. Calder, Griffiths and O'Brien (West Coast) have represented New Zealand. Tho trio delighted spectators .at Carlaw Park last year when the South Island forwards outclassed the North. O'Brien had the misfortune to break a small bone in his foot last season, but is now in fine form. Townsend, Otago, is still the best hooker in the South Eckcff, a club mate, needs no introduction to Auckland. Schmidt (Canterbury) is playing representative football for the first time. Reports from Christchurch credit -T. Amos with playing fine football. At centre Amos is likely to prove dangerous on attack. The threequarters, Falgar and Jorgensen, both from Christchurch, have plenty of pace. .The five-eighths, McKeown and Dodds, have represented the: South Island previously. The latter played a brilliant game last season. Palamountain, the fullback, is a powerful kick and en- < terprising on attack. The success of tho Marist club in winning the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was well deserved. The team proved the most solid and consistent all round, although it took a long time to settle down. Marist suffered only one defeat during the season, City gaining an easy and surprise victory in tho second round. Devonport, runner-up, is a young and improving team, It was beaten twice during the season, each time at the hands of Marist.