THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21893, 31 August 1934, Page 9

THE LEAGUE CODE

INTEFMSLAND FIXTURE GREAT INTEREST IN GAME' SOUTH FORWARDS STRONG For tho first time for two years representatives of the North and South Island will meet in a Rugby. league match at Carlaw Park to-morrow and great interest is being created by the game. Providing conditions are fine some thrilling play is anticipated and it will be interesting to ncSto how the standard in the southern centres has fared during the past two seasons. The North Island'"team is fully representative of all leagues and some of the members will be seen in big football for the first time. The side can scarcely be said to bo as strong as that which could be chosen, but. pn paper, it appears, a good all-round combination and should acquit itself well. The rearguard, led by A. E. Cooke, the former Rugby All Black, is capable of providing spectacular football and, if given a fair share of the ball, the North backs will provide South with formidable opposition. Among other members of the rearguard upon whom interest will centre are Stephens, the promising wing-threequarter, who has shown fine form for Newton in Auckland this season; Powell, who has played splendid all-round football at halfback for Richmond, winners of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship, arid Smith, a winger from Hawke's Bay, who is said to' be well above the average. W. Tittleton, South Auckland, the centre, and S. Prentice, Auckland, five-eighths, are well-known players, while Hunt, Taranaki, who is nearing tho veteran stage and whp plays centre for his province, should fill the fullback role to advantage. E. Meyer, Northland, who was originally chosen as first five-eighths was not available and has been replaced by Prentice. Experienced Forwards The forwards appear a strong and well-balanced set and most of iliem have had wide experience. Hutt, Clarke and Satherley, Auckland, are at the top of their form, while O'Callaghan, Northland, and Timms, South Auckland, are good players. The breakaway, McLeod, Taranaki, impressed greatly by his display for bis province when playing against Auckland at Carlaw Park. The strongest opposition from the South Island is likely to come from the forwards, who are always an even and vigorous set and the North vanguard will have to pack well in the scrums to have prospects of gaining the ball. Several of tho players will be making their first appearance in Auckland. McKenzie, the fullback, comes from the West Coast, and is noted for bis determined tackling and well judged kicking. 11l past seasons South Island has been weak in inside backs, but both Amos and Ay res, of Canterbury, are reported to be playing good football. Amos is well-known to Aucklanders and is a particularly solid fiveeighths. Ayres has been substituted for Dodds, who is unable to make the trip. O'Connor, the halfback, is a clever player on attack. The threequarters will represent the South Island for the first time. Canterbury Forwards J. Calder, considered one of the best forwards in New Zealand, was unable to make the trip. The forwards, however, include Glynn, West Coast, and Smith, Canterbury, players with good reputations. The other forwards have previously represented their respective provinces. It is interesting to note that the forwards include four players from Canterbury, which recently defeated West Coast for the Northern Union cup. Two senior grade matches for tho semi-final of the Phelan Shield will bo played as curtain-raisers to the principal fixture. The ground allocations are as follows: —Newton v. Devonport, Carlaw Park No. 1, 1.30 p.m., Mr. S. Bilhuan; City v. Ponsonbv,, Carlaw Park No. 2, 1.30 p.m., Mr. S. Fisher. Linesmen: Messrs. Brady and Mann. Following are the teams: — ' NORTH ISLAND Fullback.—C. Hunt (Taranaki). Threequarters.—R. E. Smith (Hawk© 0 Bay), W. Tittleton (South Auckland). M. Stephens (Auckland). ' Five-eighths.—A. E. Cooke, captain (Auckland), S. Prentice (Auckland). Halfback—R. Powell (Auckland). Forwards,—Front row. L. Hutt (Auckland. C. O'Callaghan (Northland). S. Clarke (Auckland); second row, C. Satherley (Auckland), T. Timms (South Auckland): breakaway. J. McLeod (TaT&naki). SOUTH ISLAND Fullback.—T. McKenzie (Inanfrahua). Threequarters.—T. Morris (Iriangahua), P. Scott (West Coast), F. Wellsmore (Can—J. E. Amos, captain (Canterbury). F. Ayres (Canterbury). Halfback.—T. O'Connor (West Coast). Forwards.—L. Wertner (Canterbury). R. Ward- (Canterbury), W. Glynn (West Coast), E. Hamberger (Canterbury). M. Smith (Canterbury). G. Scott (Inangaliua). [Reserves.—J. Ginders (Ofago*. Mr. P. Rogers has been appointed referee.