RANFURLY SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 11

RANFURLY SHIELD

MATCH ON WEDNESDAY AUCKLAND DEFENDS TROPHY NORTH AUCKLAND'S CHALLENGE FIRST CONTEST OF SEASON The Auckland Rugby representative team won the Ranfurly Shield from Hawke's Bay toward the of last season, and it will be called upon to make its first defence of the trophy at Eden Park on Wednesday, the challenge coming from North Auckland. It was expected that the personnel of the Auckland team would have been announced on Saturday evening, but, in view of the postponement of the Auckland Rugby Union's competitions, the sole selector, Mr. J. H. Muir, was! unable to ascertain whether certain All Black players had sufficiently recovered from injuries sustained in the recent trial matches to be able to play on Wednesday. The Aucklanders will train this evening and then the team to defend the trophy will be announced. The Northern team Telegraphing last evening the Herald's Whangarei correspondent stated that the following team has been selected by Messrs. I. Finlayson, K. Ifwerson, and W. Kelly to represent North Auckland in the forthcoming match: — Fullback. —C. Hamilton. Threcquarters.—R. White, Pickering (captain), Davis. Five-eighths.—Cooney, Johns. Halfback. —Panapa. Forwards. —Wordley, Morresey. Mo Innes, McCracken, McDonald, McKenz;e, Linnel, C. White. Emergencies. Forwards: Flavell,. Scarborough. Backs: Roos, Hutchins. The forwards are a Rood solid pack and average just under 14 stone. Ross, who played for North Auckland against Auckland earlier in the season at Wha,ngarei, is not available, owing to injuries received in the All Black trials. He is replaced by McKenzie, of the City Whangarei team, a hustling forward. The backs are almost the same as those who played against Auckland earlier in the season at Whangarei. with the exception that C. Hamilton replaces Kerr at fullback. Improved Combination In a trial practice game, played against a team representing the northern sub-unions at Kensington Park, Whangarei, on Saturday afternoon, the representative team won fc'V 30 points to 3. Of eight tries obtained Pickering scored three. The ground was against brilliant football, being very soft and wet, and heavy showers fell during the game, which was mostly a forward one. The failure to register goals from tries was disappointing, only one try of the eight being converted. Panapa and Pickering were the., two outstanding backs, while the forwards all placed well. The team is a much-improved combination upon that which was formerly defeated by Auckland. Whatever be the result of the game on Wednesday. North Auckland Rugby enthusiasts feel confident that the challenging team will give a good account of .itself. ■ A special train leaves Whangarei, lor Auckland on Wednesday and it 'will be heavily booked. The North Auckland team leaves for Auckland tomorrow.