RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21583, 30 August 1933, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES RECOVERY AGAINST TARANAKI SENIOR GAMES ON SATURDAY The Auckland representative teams were a little mixed on Saturday last. The team which played at Now Plymouth was regarded as the first fifteen, but it was a good deal below Auckland's full strength. However, it must be given credit for a remarkablo recovery. It is very rarely that a toain seventeen points in arrears is able to pull the game out of the fire, as tho Aucklanders did against Taranaki last Saturday. The Tarapaki scribes must havo got the players mixed up. Three goals were kicked by Slyfield, and not Jamieson, *s reported. Jamieson potted tho goal credited to Slyfield, whilo tho lastnamed scored tho try credited to Bush. Auckland has now defeated North Auckland,- Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Will it maintain its undefeated record when it meets Wellington on September 16? lhat is the question Auckland Rugby followers are already 'asking themselves." It will bo tho 'match of the season, for more reasons than one, m, apart from tho keen rivalry which exists between the provinces, the match coincides with the Auckland Rugby Union's jitbiloo celebrations. Solig Scrummaging , ' What the Auckland team will have to do to be successful against Wellington is concentrate oil solid scrum-

maging. W. Hadley is doing great work m hooking the ball at present, but there are too many forwards looking for the open. This was amply demon•truted in the game against Hawko's Bay, whose pack was superior in the tight play. Two forwards who have been playing well this season have been nnlucky in not catching the selector's eye. They are Williams, of Ponsonby, and Pepper, of Manukau. Williams was in the touring representative side last ■eason.

The senior championship competition will - be continued on Saturday next. The main attraction will be the meeting of University and Grafton at Eden Park. This match will have a very important bearing on the championship, particularly so far as University is concerned. It is likely to be keenly contested and should draw a good attendance.

Two matches will be played at the Western Springs Stadium, which rendezvous is being used for senior games for the first time this season. Technical Old Boys and Grammar will meet in the curtain-raiser and Training College and Ponsonby will .play in the three o'clock game. The last-named team should be successful in each case. Otahuhu will play Manukau at Onehunga and a close contest :is likely. Marist will probably prove too strong for College Rifles at the Show Grounds. Hanfurly Shield Games Canterbury is doing well in its Ranfurly Shield matches so far. It appears to have shaken off the two strongest challengers and is now likely to retain the trophy for another season. There may be a danger from South Canterbury on the day of the inter-island match, for which Canterbury is likely to have several of its leading players • included in the South Island team. Canterbury and Otago have met on fifty-two occasions. Otago has won 24 matches and Canterbury 20, while eight have ,beeni drawn. A match will be played at Eden Park to-morrow afternoon between a team from the Japanese training ship and the Training College first fifteen. It should be interesting and entertaining. The Japanese have advanced very rapidly in recent years in athletics and swimming, and their debut in Rugby Will no doubt attract a large gathering of spectators. The Rugby game is advancing very tapidly ft* the Taupiri Union's district, And there are now eight senior teams competing. The competition is divided into two sections, and the winners play off to decide the championship honours. - The energetic Taupiri officials are very anxious to have a visit .from an Auckland representative team, and it is probable a game will be arranged for September 30." If it is arranged, Mr. S. Hollander will go down to referee.