RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 19

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES AUCKLAND TEAM'S RECORD OTAGO MATCH ON SATURDAY By defeating Southland at Eden Park last Saturday by 26 points to 12, the Auckland Rugby representatives enhanced their reputation as being n strong all-round side, and after the match many of the visitors' best players said they were at a loss to understand how Canterbury defeated such a combination. It was pointed out to them that the Auckland team had undergone several changes since Canterbury lifted the Ranfurly Shield, and that such changes had been very much for the better. The Southlanders said their forwards had beaten every pack they had met until last Saturday, and they readily handed the palm to Auckland as having the best pack in the Dominion at the present time. In the first spell Southland held sway, but in the second the Auckland forwards rose to the occasion magnificently, giving of their best when it was most? wanted, as the side was then playing against a strong wind. Auckland has now played seven matches for four wins and three losses. It has defeated North Auckland twice and also Hawke's Bay and Southland. The losses it sustained were inflicted by Taranaki, Canterbury and the Maoris. Auckland has scored 150 points and had 99 registered against it.

STRENGTH OF OTAGO FINE RECORD AT HOME The next representative match will be against Otago, which plays Waikato to-day, and will meet Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon. Prior to leaving home Otago had a remarkably fine record, being undefeated in five matches and scoring 121 points against 15, Its successes were gained as follows: —Buller, 20—0; Southland, at Invercargill, 20—3; Wanganui, 26 —3; Wairarapa, 44—3; Southland, at Dunedin, 11 —6. The Otago team arrived at Timaru only about an hour before taking the field against South Canterbury at Timaru, and stiffness after the journey from Dunedin was thought to be the cause of its defeat. The touring team was again beaten in Wellington last Saturday by six points to five, but it was the general opinion that Otago was very unlucky to lose. Next Saturday's match should be one of the most attractive of the season. The improvement shown by the Auckland team has been hailed with delight by its supporters. Otago's forwards afe light, but possess pace and cleverness. The backs are speedy and play with fine combination and understanding. Several members of the Otago side took part in the All Black trials earlier in the season, including Simon, the halfback whom Aucklanders will remember played a good game at Eden Park the last time Otago paid a visit to the north.

ENGLISH LEAGUE OFFERS CAREERS DRAWING TO CLOSE Publication of the fact that an agent of the controlling body of English League football had made offers to six of New . Zealand's leading players created a mild flutter in Rugby circles during the past few days. In looking over the names of those so far mentioned one finds it difficult to alight on any player likely to accept the offer. In the cases of Bush, Solomon and Lilburne, their football careers will probably be ended within the next two or three years, while Holder and Deavoll, like the other three, are in permanent employment. As some of them have stated, it would require a substantial offer to induce them to leave their positions to take the risk of early injury in matches at Home. In the case of Lilburne, who has already joined the League code in Wellington, a transfer fee of £2OO would have to be paid by the English League to New Zealand, in addition to t|ie offer already advanced, if he were to accept. SOUTHLAND FIVE-EIGHTHS ALL-ROUND SPORTSMAN J. Purdue, who played five-eighths for Southland against Auckland at Eden Park last Saturday, is a versatile player. In the first match this season at Invercargill against Dunedin he played a safe game at fullback, whereas last season he was Southland's halfback. He is a' son of Charles Purdue, an old Southland representative forward, who played for New Zealand in matches against New South Wales and Australia in 1901 and 1905 respectively in the Dominion. J. Purdue is a fine all-round sportsman. He has been the Southland shot-putt champion, has performed well in this event in the Otago championship, and at his best is equal to doing 37ft. He is the possessor of as good a style as any shot-putter in Otago. He also represented Southland at cricket, being one of that province's stock bowlers.

CANTERBURY'S CENTRE SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOL BOY Like many other first-class players, J. Poison, centve-threequarter for the Canterbury representative team, learned his Rugby at the Southland Boys' High School. Later on be Vent to Canterbury to continue his studies, and ho played for Lincoln College in 1932 and 1933. Last season, after taking part in various sub-union matches, he • was chosen in the Country team to play Against Town at Lancaster Park, and showed exceptional form, even against experienced opponents. Early this year Poison joined the Christchurch Football Club and quickly proved himself a decided acquisition to the senior fifteen In action he moves with a long stride that makes his pace deceptive. THE ALL BLACKS TOUR OPENS ON SATURDAY The 1935 All Blacks' tour of the United Kingdom will open on Saturday with a match against Devon and Cornwall. The number of matches —28 —will be the samo as that played by the 1924 team. Eight matches will be played in Wales, four in Scotland, two in Ireland and the remainder in England, three of these at Twickenham. Test matches will be played against the four Home Unions, and so the tour will embrace a wider sphere than that of the 1924 All Blacks, who did not play in Scotland. The team will return via Canada, where farther matches will he played.