THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION.

PROBABLE BACK DIVISION.

THIRD TEST IN AUSTRALIA. Followers of the > League code are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Auckland team to play England. If the original arrangements are carried out the personnel is to be announced next Saturday. There is much comment- on the merits of players, and it is expected the selectors will cause no surprises when the side is announced. Mr. H. Sunderland, tho Australian coach, who recently passed through Auckland, stressed tho necessity of giving preference to solid backs with experience. In viow of tho reports received from Australia it is not likely that the local selectors will make any experiments.

The following players have good claims for selection:—Fullback, Laing or Seagar; tlneequarters, List, Davidson, L. Scott or Meeban; five-eighths, Brisbane and Cooke; halfback, Hassan. This selection comprises easily the best defensive backs in the code. It will be agreed, too, that pace on attack will bo an outstanding feature.

The selection of Brisbane, Cooke and Davidson would ensure the wings getting every opportunity should the local forwards gain possession from the scrums. Brisbane has not played the dashing football of last season, but he is capable in big football of rising to the occasion. The Marist captain suffered a bad back injury some weeks ago, and this may be the cause of a temporary lapse in form. Many will consider that Cooke should not be given a place. The ex-All Black, however, is likely to place the question of his ability beyond doubt if club matches are played noxt Saturday. Tha five-eighths in Auckland are not good all round. Davidson and Brisbane are easily the best. Cooke has had considerable experience, and his ability to open play can« not be doubted, while his defence is an sound as ever. Ideal Centre.

Throughout the second round Davidson has revealed his best form, and is an ideal centre. Undoubted pace combined with straight running givo Davidson strong claims for selection. The selectors will find difficulty in choosing suitable wing-threeqnarters, as their choice is very limited. In club football Meehan has been outstanding, and his defence seems to be improved. The Marist player has a lot of pace, and is a good handler. Scott is roally the type required, being big and fast, but his handling is uncertain... Of the two Meehan has stronger claims. The selectors will find it hard to leave List out of the team. He is just the type of player to oppose Ellaby,, tho strong English wing. With his powerful running, List would score tries on the wing where others would fail. The selectors will find it difficult- to please admirers of at least four club fullbacks in making the choice. Many support the claims of Laing (Devonport), while Dempsey (Newton) is claimed to possess more knowledge of the League code. Campbell (Marist) and Delgrosso are also spoken of as likely to fill the position. Laing has been the most consistent in club football. The Devonport custodian is a fine kick and a splendid handler. He, however, lacks experience. Dempsey has a better idea of how to run his backs into position, but his weakness is defence. Delgrosso played fine football in the first round, but be appears to have lost his pace. Although Campbell won representative honours last season, twice lately he has been outplayed by Laing. Campbell, however, is very sound, although lacking the initiative of the others. Seagar is mentioned as a likely fullback. The Devonport captain has had sound experience in the code, and there is no reason why he should not be a capable custodian.. Prospects of Forwards.

r Thye are likely to bo 60me surprises when the forwards are announced. Hall, Hntfc (Marist) appear to bo certain' of a place. The trio, however, are all' third row forwards, and it will be interesting to see which positions are allotted to them. Hall, by reason of his pace and Rood handling, has the best claims as last man down.; Hutt is a powerful forward, and may play in tho front row. Clarke is erratic, but likely to be outstanding in representative football. Lawless, McLeay and Clarke (City) must be given consideration, while Simpson, Casey, and Jenkinson have played fine club football this season. [The personnel of the Auckland team was nanounced yesterday afternoon after the Herald critic had made the foregoing predictions.—Athletic Editor.] The third test between England and Australia will bo played at Sydney next Saturday. Each side has won one test, and the deciding match is sure to create more than usual interest. The English, men have , had a 1 strenuous tour in Queensland, where the football has been hard. The visitors have already lost three prominent players, and it is doubtful if the best thirteen will be available next Saturday. 1 * Australia is taking no risks, and the homo side will be in splendid condition.

ALL BLACKS' SUCCESS.

GAMES AGAINST QUEENSLAND

SIXTEEN WINS. NO LOSSES.

The All Blacks and Queensland havp now met on 16 occasions, the former winning all matches and scoring 353 points against 65. AIJ games have been played hfc Brisbane, with the exception of that in 1896, which was played in In tho second match in 1897 Queensland played 16 men. Following is a complete record of matches played:—

• -1893—Won, 14-3, 36—0. 1896—Won, 9—o. ] 897—Won, 16—6, 29—6, 24—6. 1903—Won, 17—0, 28-0. 1907—Won, 23-3, 17—11. - 1910—Won, 19—15, 21-3. ,1914—Won, 26—5, 19-0. 3929—W0n, 27-0. 1932—W0n, 28-^B.. STRICT CRICKET RULING. !* . - j BATSMAN'S LATE ARRIVAL. V. W. 0. Jupp, the Northants cricketer, learned to his cost recently, that adherence to the strict letter of tho law is very desirable in English first-class cricket. His county was engaged with the All-India eleven at tb« Kettering ground, and Jnpjp was undefeated with a single to his credit when he proceeded to the ground for the second day's play. He arrived a trifle late, however, and was not allowed to continue bis innings because the two-minute rule had been broken. Tho captain of the All India team wa» willing that Jupp should bat, but tb« umpires, Messrs. Haxdstafl and Clieptgr, raltd otbtnrin* ; r