FOOTBALL VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 14

FOOTBALL VISITORS

FIRST LEAGUE TEST t AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND GREAT GAME ANTICIPATED A brilliant exhibition of the Rugby League code is anticipated at Carlaw Park to-day, whon the Australian team will meet Now Zealand in the first test match. It is sixteen years since an allAustralian side visited Now Zealand, the team on that occasion winning two of the three tests played. Added interest will bo given to the mdtch to-day on account of the teams contesting for the first time the Courtney Goodwill Cup, a trophy donated for competition between Australian and New Zealand teams by Mr. R. Courtney, formerly of Christchurch and now a resident of Australia. The cup will be held by the team which is successful in the three test series. Enough was seen of the Australians in the match against Auckland last Saturday to realise that they are one of the best combinations which have yet visited the Dominion. Both backs and forwards are high-class players and under fine conditions it will take a powerful team to lower their colours. Their clever positional play, pace off the mark, splendid passing, clever support and ability to change direction with amazing suddenness will give the opposition to-day a very hard task. The combination of Thickncsse, Norman and Brown is always dangerous and they will test the homo defence to tho utmost. The Australian team is the same as that which played against Auckland, except that Mahon is replaced by Goodwin in the threequarter line.

New Zealand Vanguard The New Zealand side is expected to make a better showing than that of Auckland last Saturday, especially in tackling, which was ik very decided weakness in Auckland's play. The Dominion forwards will bo greatly strengthened by the inclusion of J. Calder and W. Glynn, both of the West Coast, South Island. They are likely to test tho Australian defence in tho loose, while if the conditions are wet the New Zealand pack should be very prominent. With the defection of Anderson, West Coast, Tetley, Auckland, has justly earned his place as back-row forward and ho was most unfortunate to have been passed over in the original selection. Tho inside New Zealand backs will need to speed up on attack to have any prospect of success against the visitors. With a reasonable share of the ball, however, the home rearguard is likely to do well with two wings like Brown and Mincham. Possession of tho ball frorrk the scrums will play a part in the result. Curtain-raisers to the tost match will start with schoolboys' games at 10.30 o'clock this morning, while at 1.30 p.m. the final of the reserve grade competition of the Auckland Rugby League will be played between Marist and City. Personnel of Teams The teams for the test match are as follows:—■ AUSTRALIA Fullback. —L. Ward (New South Wales). Threcquartors.*—S. Goodwin (Queensland), J!. McKinnou (N.S.W.), 1).. Brown (N.S.W.), K. Hincs (N.S.W.). Five-eighths.—E Norman (N.S.W.). Halfback.—V. Thicknesse (N.S.W.). Forwards.—F. Curran (N.S.W.), P. Fairall (N.S.W.), R, Stehr (N.S.W.), J. Gibbs (N.S.W.), S. Pearce (N.S.W.), W. Prigg (N.S.W.).

NEW ZEALAND Fullback.—A. E. Cooke (Auckland). Threequarters.—L. Brown (Auckland), W. Tittleton (Waikato), E. Mincham (Auckland).

Five-eightlfc.—C. Kay (Auckland), S. Prentice (Auckland). Halfback.—R. Powell (Auckland). Forwards.—J. Caldor (West Coast), L. Hutt (Auckland), J. Laird (Auckland), W. Glynn (West Coast), C. Satherley (Auckland), H. Tetley (Auckland).