THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21783, 24 April 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

NEW SEASON'S OUTLOOK HIGHER STANDARD ANTICIPATED STRONG RICHMOND THIRTEEN Prospects for the new Rugby League season, which will open at Carlaw Park next Saturday, appear particularly bright, and tho championship honours should bo more keenly contested than ever. Judging on the form at the close of last season, there was little between the teams, and as new recruits have been gained by all' clubs the standard of play is expected to be higher. At present the chances of Richmond and City ax - e favoured for the senior grade championship. Both clubs have had promising material to choose from. The Richmond thirteen will be a strong combination. A. E. Cooke has completely' recovered from his leg injury, and the former All Black is in splendid form to commence the season. Cooke played in the fullback position at a recent practice, but when the final team is solected he may be in the five-eighths line. E. Mincham, who played prominent club football in the Wellington Rugby Union competition last season, has been transferred back to Auckland and will play on tho wing. Mincham is an outstanding wing, with speed and a fine side-step. On tho other wing, McNeil will bo given a further opportunity to make good. He showed great promise in a few senior games last season. S. Prentice, who led Richmond last season, underwent an oporation for appendicitis recontly, anJ, although ho appears fit, he will probably not bo in his best form for a time. P. Young will probably be included among tho backs. Powell was unfortunato in a recent motor accident to lose a joint of a finger, but he is fit again, and will play halfback. Much is expected of J. Simmonds, a third grade player, who has impressed tho solectors, and who will probably be given a chance in the senior team. Speedy Forwards

The Richmond forwards will be a powerful combination, with speed a feature of their play. Lawless, C. Satherley, 11. Jenkinson and Telford are playing again. Milicich and Metcalfe are also available, while, Barry, a Waikato Rugby forward, is reported to have signed on. There has been a revival of the keenness of years back in the City ranks, and excellent practico matches have given the selectors a difficult task to chooso a team. The full team playod recently at Manukau, and all the players impressed. The vanguard will be a particularly solid set, while the backs show pace abovo the ordinary. R. White, who played prominently for Northland last year and one game for Mnrist, is a wing-tlireequarter likely to gain representative honours. Ho showed fine scoring ability in a recent practice. Krance, a junior, may find a place in the team at fullback. Should this be decided on, Watene will play either in the scrum or at centre. Wyberg, a five-eighths from the Manukau Rugby Club, should prove a good back. H. Wayne is at present away from Auckland, but the club proposes to play him each Saturday. Wayne is a useful scoring threequarter. Clarke is a newcomer and a promising halfback. It will be interesting to see if the club's selectors give Clarke preference to Axeman, who played several games last year for Auckland. Both Turei and Purdv aro in good form. McLaughlin was the outstanding player in last Saturday's practice. Although usually a forward, McLaughlin would strengthen City if he wore played at centre threequarter. Rutherford, a Manukau Rugby forward, Clark, Jlahiri, Nathan, Ragg, Jones and Herring comprise a solid pack.

Last Year's Champions

Devonport, last year's champion team, was early in the field to train, and as usual will be a, fit side. Many of last year's players are available and with the assistance of several promising juniors Devonport will attract attention at headquarters. The club has lost the services of Oliff, half-back, and K. Smith, the navy forward, who is to play Rugby. New players among the backs include Knock, from the Ponsonby Rugby Club, and Hall, a speedy wing-three-quarter who played second grade for Point Chevalier. Rhodes will probably play behind the scrum, and with O'Donnell and R. Smith fit, the threcquarters should get plenty of opportunities. An effort is being made to get Seagar to play.

The champions will again have a fast set of forwards. Among tho vanguard will ho Donald, Leathorbarrow, Scott, Simpson and Masefield.

The announcement that H. Brisbane has decided to retire will bo received with disappointment among Marist supporters. It is hoped, however, that tho lure of the gamo will see this popular player back with his club before the season is far advanced. The club intends trying young players and this policy is to bo commended. It is stated that T. O'Leary, formerly of Dovonport, will be playing in plaeo of Brisbane at five-eighths. O'Leary was a fine attacking back two years ago. L. Sclniltz met with an injury several weeks ago but hopes to take part in the second series of matches. Hassan, Dunne, List and A. Schultz are all available again.

The Auckland and New . Zealand hooker, G. Campbell, has decided to retire and his placo will bo taken by Flanagan, who showed promise last season. D. E. Keane, a former Rugby Union forward and fullback, played with Marist in the forwards last Saturday and showed promising form. Laird, Iveson and A. Clarke are also available.

Newtoij and Ponsonby The Newton club will plnco a strong thirteen in the field on Saturday. The backs, although small, showed good combination at the end of last season, when No wton won tlie special challenge round. The club is looking forward to the return to Now Zealand of It. Hardgrave after a successful engagement in England. The St. Helen's wing-three-quarter will ho a decided acquisition. Dempsey will again bo the fullback. The inside hacks, Porteous, J3rimble and Pope, are a good combination. Stephens made a good impression last season and is a promising wing. It. Scllars is a back likely to find a place in a representative team.

The forwards include Blacklaws, Middel ton, Davis, Allen and Quirke. T. Hall, who had extensive experience in Englaud, may again assist Newton. Ponsonby will field a young team this season, and the old club anticipates a fair measure of success. Tho team revealed very promising form in the practice match with Marist last Saturday. Tho rear division comprises promising players and includes B. Riley and Kay, of last year's team. Both should do well as the competition advances.

O'Hnlloran, a fullback from Northcote goes into senior football with a reputation. S. Stoeklcy is another junior and a promising five-eighths. Jones, Midgley and Shearer are also a trio of new players with good records as juniors. I. Littlcwood, who a few years ago played prominent representative football, will play on the wing. McLeay is back from Taranaki and will strengthen the forwards. The vanguard will include Why, Lunn, Fagan, Neale and Blood.