RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21905, 14 September 1934, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST TARANAKI AND AUCKLAND FINAL OF SEVEN-A-SIDE Bright and attractive Rugby should be witnessed at Eden Park to-morrow, when the final representative match of the season will be played between Auckland and Taranaki. In the past these two provinces have provided some thrilling contests, and to-morrow's match is expected to be no exception. As the result of Auckland's victory last Saturday over Hawke's Bay in the Ranfurly Shield match, local enthusiasts will be anxious to see the team in action.

Although defeated by Hawke's Bay in the Ranfurly Shield challenge match by 23 points to 8, Taranaki has fared well in other representative fixtures this season. It played two close games with Wellington, which defeated Auckland, being beaten on each occasion. Taranaki has' beaten Wanganui and Manavatu, and defeated Waikato at Hamilton on Wednesday by. eight points. The team made a fine showing in this match and (he manager, Mr. J. Rowe, expects it to do well against Auckland. The team is said to be good all round, fast in the backs, while the forwards are expected to test the Auckland vanguard to the utmost. Included in the team is Collins, the All Black fullbaok, and Clarke, captain, a forward who has /represented New Zealand and is expected to gain a place in the All Black team to tour tha United Kingdom next season.: Townsend, centre-thretiquarter, is a former Auckland University player. Brown, five-eighths, is a brother of . the wellknown halfback who played for the New Zealand Army team. The Taranaki team arrived yesterday, and is staying at the Hotel Cargen. Finlayson Replaces Smith

The Auckland team is the same as that which defeated Hawke's Bay last Saturday, with the exception of Smith, who is replaced by Finlayson. Smith is suffering from an injured shoulder.

As a curtain-raiser -to the match, Australia will play Auckland at hockey. This will be followed bv the final of tlio seven-a-side iournament between Maristf and Ponsonby. ; The teams for the Rugby match are as follows, the Taranaki side being the probable one, as it'will not be finally chosen until to-day:— < TARANAKI ■ ' Fullback.—A. Collins (Clifton). ® Threequarters.—J Kinsella (Sta* - ),. B. Townsend (Eltham), J. Sullivan (Tukapa). Five-eighths.—M. Sangster (Stratford), C. Brown (Tukapa).• .. . , j Halfback.—C. Gudgeon (Patea). • • • . Forwards.—Back row: P. Fastier (Stratford). Middle row: R. Clarke, captain (Okai-' awa). B. Murphy (Hawera), J. Blakeney (Old Boys), R. Young (Stratford). Front row: E'ocock (Eltham), Fowler (Clifton), J. Armstrong (Clifton). - . Reserves.—Forwards: A. Preston (Okaiawa) and R. Burke TEltham). Backs: D. Hunt (Patea), E. Dowdle (Hawera). AUCKLAND Fullback.—Heazlewood. - ; ' ' , f \ Threequarters.—Haminon, Caughey, Kedgley. . Five-eighths.—Murdoch, Hedge. Halfback.—Corner. ' .. ,: ' Forwards.—Back rbw:i. FinlaysOn. Middle row. Bush, Ross. A. KniflM. McLean. Front, row; Pepper," W. Hadley, Pearc'6,,. Reserves.—Backs: FratiWhato. ? Pearson." Currey. Forwards: Lockipgton. McGrory, Bond. ; ' ' WANGANUI TOURING TEAM DEFEAT OF MARLBOROUGH . [BY TELEGKAPH I —PRESS ASSOCIATION 7 ' BLENHEIM, Thursday The Wanganui touring Rugby team put a stop to Marlborough's run of success by inflicting a 20 points to 8 defeat. The game was played in brilliant weather. It was a ragged exhibition, there being a lot of mishandling on both sides. In the first spell Marlborough led by eight points to six. Early in the second half the visitors sprang to life, playing like a different team and making the game open. Teasing the ball about among the forwards as well as, the backs, the visitors outplayed - the opposition, who lacked duo to, the absence of several regular members of. the team. The visitors all handled well, passing freely and running fast and straight. Broedcn, Morgan and Walker were the. best backs, and Newland, Hutchinson and Lockett were outstanding among the Wanganui forwards. O'Sullivap and Lane ;n the backs, and Mcßryne, Best and Lovell in the forwards, were conspicuous for Marlborough. For Wanganui tries were scored by Petersen, Jones, Foliar Hutchinson and Watty. Thompson and Morgan converted, one kicking a penalty. Best and Hardy were responsible for Marlborough's scores. Diack converting one try.