FINAL RUGBY MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20981, 18 September 1931, Page 11

FINAL RUGBY MATCH.

REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST. AUCKLAND MEETS WELLINGTON. FAREWELL TO MARK NICHOLLS. The final representative Rugby match of the season will be played at Eden l'ark tomorrow afternoon, when Auckland will nioct Wellington. There has always been a very keen rivalry in sport between the two provinces, and the Rugby matches have been productive of high-class football. The Auckland public, therefore, may look forward (o a fast, open game to-morrow. Particular intetest attaches to this contest, as it will be the last appearance in Auckland of Mark Nicholls, one of the most brilliant five-eighths New Zealand has produced. The Wellington captain has a splendid record in interprovincial and international football, and he is assured of an enthusiastic farewell when ho leads his sido on to the field to-morrow afternoon. The Wellington team is a very strong all-round combination. Pollock and Grif fit lis are the only two backs who have not worn tlio All Black jersey. Pago and Ball played in the test match against the Wallabies at Eden Park last week, whilo Mackay was emergency back. Comparison of Halfbacks. Kilby is well known as a halfback of ability, lie having toured South Africa with the All Blacks of 1923. Jle played for the North Island against the South in tlio recent match at Wellington, and the selection of Corner in preference to Kilby created a good deal of discussion in Southern circles. To-morrow's match will afford the spectators an opportunity of making comparison between* the methods and ability of the two halfbacks. The Wellington pack is a solid one. Jessup played in the front row of the New Zealand scrum last week. McLean represented New Zealand against the British team last season, while Coulston has taken part in All Black trials. Barry. McPherson, Deidrich and Reid are all good all-round forwards, and Price is reported to be a capable successor to the prince of wing-forwards, C. G. Porter. Personnel of the Teams. Of the Wellington emergencies, Fell will be remembered as a member of the City team in Auckland last season, when lie gained B representative honours. Shearer has played for Wellington for several seasons past,, and it is remarkable how lie has retained his form.

Following is the personnel of the Wellington team for to-morrow's game:— Fullback.—Pollock. Threequarters.—Mackav, Page, Ball. Five-eighths.—Griffiths, Nicholls. Halfback. —Kilby. Wing-forward.—Price. Fronfc Row.—Jessup, Coulston. Middle Bow.—McLean, Barry, McPher son. Back Row.—Deidrieh, Reid. Emergencies.—Back, McDonald ; forwards, Shearer, Fell. The team will arrive in Auckland by the limited express this morning under the charge of Mr. A. J. Griffiths, a member of the Wellington Rugby Union. Ihe following will represent Auckland : Fullback. —Davies. Threequarters.—Millikcn, Caughey, Hutchison. Five-eighths.—Haslam, Jamieson. Halfback.—Corner. Wing-forward.—Solomon. Front Row.—Hadlev, Palmer. Middle Row.—Finlayson, Knight, Batty. Back Row.—Anderson, Salherley. Reserves.—Backs, Smith, Berridge; forward, Bunting. MATCH WITH THAMES. The following players have been chosen for the match against Thames to be played at Thames: —Fullback, Tetley; threequarters, Cornthwaite, Kedgley, Stewart (Marathon); five-eighths, Townsend, Year; halfback, Conway; wing-for-ward, Grossman; forwards, Haywood, Hammond, Baildon, Barker, [McDonald, Hamilton, Stone. Reserves: Carter, Somers.