RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22435, 3 June 1936, Page 20

RUGBY FOOTBALL

JREPBESENTATTVE GAME CONTEST WITH WAIKATO , .'AUCKLAND TEIAM FOR TO-DAY The Auckland Rugby representatives wil play their annual match against Waikato at Hamilton to-day, and a return match-will bs played at Eden Park on June 23. The Auckland team was chosen by Mr. J. H. Mtiir, sole selector, during the week-end, and it contains few surprises. Hush has been playing in great form this season, and . his selection was a foregone conclusion. Auckland is in a fortunate position regarding fullbacks, as there are others who would fill the post with credit in the absence of Bush, particularly Beyer and Turbott. Stott, of Grammar, and Hook, of Ponsonby, are two young fullbacks who look likely to go a long way in the game. The three-quarter line, comprising Dick, Fletcher and Moses, should give a good account of itself. All three possess speed and good handling ability. Moses has been playing at centre for Ponsonby, but he should perform equally as well on the wing. H. Brown, of Otahuhu, a member of the last All Black coihbination, has not been showing; good form, sind could not be considered. Grant, one of the wings in last season's representative teams, now fills the role of emergency, Pearson, of Otahuhu, and Ramsay, of Ponsonby, must also have come under consideration. ID. Solomon has been playing in rare form and his inclusion in the fiveeighths line was certain. Killeen would no doubt have been his partner but for the fact that he has injured his ankle. Murdoch played some good game in representative, matches last season. Ja:mieson, of Ponsonby, Mulvihill, of University, Hedge, of Otahuhu, and the College Rifles paiir, Wales and McCormick, have all been playing well, while a repetition of the brilliant form he showed last Saturday will make McKay, of Grammar, a very serious contender fdr Auckkmd representative and possibly All Black honours before very long.

A leg injury made it impossible for Corner to be chosen for the halfback position, and. Thompson, of College Rifles, has received .preference over some other smart halves. Thompson is very nippy round, the scrum,; where he miikes good openings. His passng is very accurate.' • v ( , • . , : The forwards comprise a solid pack, which should give a good display in all departments! All have earned selection on. this season's :Form which, however, will have to be retained if they are to hold their places in preference to many other fine forwards playing in the various teams. McGrory, of Marist, is unfortunate, as he has been playing solid football. However, his turn may come later "on. Pfepfrer, Mamikau's All Black, is sufferng; from an injured leg and so was not considered. , The Auckland team will travel by the Rotorua express this morning.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PONSONBY ONLY UNBEATEN TEAM With five matches played in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition, Ponsonby is the only team so far-undefeated. Marist and Otuhuhu have each sustained one loss, the former having eight championship points as against Otahuhu's six. The latter, however, has had its bye, whereas Marist lias not, and so both teams can 'be regarded as runners-up to JPonsonby. ■ _ • Ponsonby has scored a total or 1*24 poiints to date and has had 50 registered against it. Marist's big win last Saturday swelled its total to 90, whereas it' has had but 37 recorded against it. The team with the least number of points scored against it is Technical, with 31. However, it has played one game fewer than Marist. The College Rifles fifteen had its first win last Saturday and everyone was pleased to see this old club "break its duck." The success will no doubt have a stimulating eifect upon the team's future play. > / The matches for next Saturday will be as follows:—Grammar v. Otahuhu, Manukau v. Ponsonby, Technical v. College Rifles, North Shore v. University, Training College v. Marist. Grafton has drawn a bye.