RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 16

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PROSPECTS FOR NEW SEASON. STRENGTH OF VARIOUS CLUBS. INTEREST IN SCRUM FORMATION. What is destined to be one of the most important seasons in the history of Pugbv football in Auckland will open ith senior competition matches next Saturday. This is chiefly due to the change in scrum formation, whereby it is now necessary for all teams to adopt tho three formation in the front row. The new formation, which is practically foreign in Auckland and New Zealand football, will bo followed with more than ordinary interest, but it is extremely doubtful whether those* enthusiasts who so strongly favour New Zealand's traditional formation of 2—3—2 will over admit that the new order is the better. From what can be gathered clubs intend to experiment, a good deal, but the mojfc popular formation at present seems ♦ o be the 3—4—l, changed at times to 5—4, the back row forward then having a roving commission. In the past, referees have had considerable trouble with the wing-forward and it would appear they may have difficulty this season in regard to hooking. It is by no means an easytask to judge precisely when the ball has passed three feet of forwards on each side in the front row. Last year's champion team, Grammar Old Beys, will have the same material to work upon, with the exception of Bell, who has been transferred to Thames. In Addition, Matheson, a fine fullback when in form, ami G. L. Weir, a very solid five-eighths, have joined up, so the champions should again be near the top this year. \V. Batty, the All Black forward, intends making this his last season, while A. Knight will also bo available. Five-eighths' Difficulty.

University, runncrs-up last reason. Fhould field a strong side. lis chief difficulty at present is in regard to tlie five-eighths' lino, especially tlie first fiverighths. Mulvilnll, a well-known Auckland diver at one lime, who played second five-eighths for Victoria College, Wellington. last year, is said to be a fine type o' player and lie will probably be called on to till the gap. Kedglev. who played on the wing for Training College last year, is likely to play second five-eighths, while outside l:ini will be a strong threequarter line in Caughoy, D. Milliken and Smith, an Otago University and Otago repi esemtative in 1930. It. G. Bush, the /Ml Black fullback, will fill t lie last line of defence,- and Carter, the Auckland and New Zealand University representative, who was hurt last season, is the halfback.

There arc plenty of forwards to choose from, and V. C. "Butler, the ex-'fullback, i 3 expected to play back row. The hooker is Hodge, who was selected to play for Otago hist season, but- was injured and could not take the field. K. Anderson, who recently underwent an operation, is not likely to play in the early stages of the season.

Plenty of Forwards. Like University, Ponsonby is also overburdened with forwards, and to overcome the difficulty it is proposed to play the majority turn"about. A newcomer is J. Bonham, who played last year in the / front row of a 32 —3 formation in Vancouver. Last- year's forwards are available with the exception of B. Palmer, who has joined Otahuhu. The scrum formation is not yet decided. The backs should develop into a dangerous combination, having youth and experience on their side. There is also plenty of material offering in this direc- ' tion." Pi. Hook intends to play again, and if his leg injury is better lie will be a decided acquisition. A younger brother, M. Hook, of the second grade, is said to show considerable promise. 1' rankham, half, and Jamieson, five-eighths, will again be associated, while others offering are Liddle, Carter, Fraser, Tetley and Kerr-Taylor, ex-City. Neither the fullback position nor the scrum formation has been definitely decided. Misfortune haij* fallen early upon the Technical Old Boys' team. Haslam, captain, and easily the best back, has to stand down under medical advice. Haslam suffered a strain while training and it is doubtful whether he will play again this season. 1 D. Keane and J. Nelson, who represented Auckland B last season, are ploying again, and newcomers are Ainsley. an ex-Oriental, Wellington, forward, 1). Evans. ex-City threequarter, D. Couper, threequarter, who played for the club up to last season, and Morgan, the well-known runner. Manning. who played half for Eden last year, will fill that position,- and Harris is to be tried in the five-eighths' line. Besides these oil last year's members are available. Manukau Pack.

The success 01" Manukau in the seven-a-eide tournament 011 Saturday is likely to give the club a great impetus and it should play a prominent part in the competition. Possessing a hard-working and vigorous pack, the team also has some experienced players in the rearguard. Chief among these are Huazlewood, fullback, and the Stuart brothers. It is etated A. Berridgc, ex-City, will turn out in the five-eighths' line. The Marist team is likely to have its most successful season for some time. Led by S. Hadlcy, who intends to make this his last season, the forwards should lack nothing in the new scrum formation. It is intended to adopt the 3—4 formation and play a rover. l'ruclically all last year's players are available, and the backs will be strengthened by K. Smith, a fast and promising threequarler. who was captain of the Sacred Heart College team last year. He is a brother of M. Smith, the. Auckland representative five-eighths, who intends to play again. Many new members will be seen among the ranks of Training College and its strength as yet, is hard lo judge. A very severe los,-. is that of Da vies, fullback. The club has gained the services . F Ooodwin. the fast 1 hrccquart cr of the University/fifteen three seasons ago. Promotion lor Juniors. Grafton is also more or less an unknown quantity and many junior players art- expected to be promoted. A. Fin"l.Tyson has decided to play again, and a new member is Wilkes, a Watkato representative five eight lis. (oilcge Rifles appears to be stronger than tor some seasons, three Marathon players in Wales. Stewart and Bishop having joined up. It is staged that Deise. a five-eight lis fiom Manawatu, and N 11. McMillan, the well-known -ricketer and a threequarter who played for the London Scottish tearii in that position, will liml a place. Much interest will centre in the, performances of ih< promoted team, Otahului, which won tlv» senior grade B competition la>l season. Judging from the sovouside team there i<s some good talent to work on. B. Palmer, who represented Ponr.onby for many seasons, has joined the club, which has also obtained the cervices of Hammond,. ox-Graft on. Keen competition is assured for places in the Auckland team, which will make fin extended southern tour this season at the end of July. Mr. F. F. Sutherland, the popular ex-referee, is sole selector and he was an interested spectator at Eden 3?&!rk last Saturday. The All Blacks will Also t-oar Australia toward the end of Jim*. '