RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251, 3 August 1932, Page 16

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND TOURING TEAM VICTORY OVER HAWKE'S BAY RANFURLY SHIELD PROSPECTS The Auckland Rugby representative team opene.l its southern tour with a narrow victory over llawke's Bay last. Saturday. A greater margin was anticipated !>y supporters' of the game in ' llawke's Bay. It appears that the Auckland backs played well, but that the forwards we're unable to infuse much life into their play. / This news does not augur well for the success of the team in its harder matches in the South. Aucklandcrs who saw the representative team beaten at Eden Park by Jvorth Auckland recently were disappointed with ihe forward play on that occasion. However, the presence of Battv, I. Solomon and Palmer will make a big difference to the pack in the match against .Wellington next, Saturday. It is pleasing to note that the backs gave <i good display at Hastings. There is undoubted material in the side, and, with the addition of Caughey, the backs . . should 1)0 able, to some bright displays of Rugby if only the forwards can ' hold their own and feed the backs with plenty of the ball. Second Match To-day •The Auckland team will plav its second if < . ' match against Wairarapa at Carterton today, and the result will be eagerly awaited here. The four Aucklandcrs with the All Blacks will be available if required, but 1 it is hardly likely they will be ready to' play after the boat journey from Australia. The Canterbury touring team has suffered debeat at, the hands of Southland ' • and Otago Jay substantial margins. It must be pointed out, however, that Canterbury sent away a rather weak team, and it will tie a different proposition on its home ground at Lancaster Park when the Ranfurly Shield matches, coin© up for decision. Hart-, Inues. Manchester and Cottrell, the four All Blacks, will make a wonderful difference to flie side, both on attack and U defence. The first Ranfurly Shield match of the season will be played in Christchureh on Saturday week, when South Canterbuij will meet Canterbury, the present holder. Providing Canterbury defeats the first challenger, Auckland will have an opportunity of gaining possession of New Zea(i land's greatest Rugby prize on the following Saturday. Wonderful Record / In the early stages of its competition / Auckland had a wonderful record so far as the Ranfurly Shield was concerned. This province was the first winner in 1902. and it retained possession i;i the following season. The shield was lost to "Wellington in 1904, but Auckland won it back the following year and then defied all challengers until Taranaki was successful in 1913. Auckland has been unable to regain the shield since, and so' a win in the forthcoming match would not be out of turn , , Should Canterbury stall off the . challenges of both South Canterbury and Auckland it will bo kept fairly busy subsequently. Challenges have been forwarded by the' West Coast., Wellington, .Buller and Waikato Unions, so that, to withI stand the opposition offering, Canterbury ■will need to be represented by a strong A member of the King s College liUgbj first fifteen lias only one arm. lie is Catran a front-row forward, who came from -(England at the beginning of the year. In spite of his severe handicap, Catran plavs a useful game, throws his weight into" the scrum and'takes and gives passes well. College Day will be held at Eden Park next Saturday, and, as usual, all proceeds •cviil'be devoted to charity. The chief fixture will be the return match between Auckland Grammar Scho'ol and King s College. Grammar will be eager to avenge its defeat by 0 points to 3 earlier in the season, so that another exciting game be'tween the old rivals can confidently be anticipated.