RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22441, 10 June 1936, Page 21

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND TEAM'S WIN MATCH AGAINST WAIKATO WEAKNESSES TO BE REMEDIED In its first appearance of tlio season tho Auckland representative team, which was purely an experimental one, gave «i ver.v creditable display in defeating Waikato by 28 points to 13, and Buch a decisive win augurs well for a strong side making the southern tour. The combination of tho team was satisfactory, but certain weaknesses, whicli will need correction before the excursion after the Ranfurly Shield begins, were revealed. The forwards all played well in the loose, displaying plenty of speed, but in the tight they did not ruck solidly. In the scrums they failed to pack low and tight, and it was not surprising that Hadley was unable to win more than his fair share of possession. Lockington was the best all-round forward, excelling in line-out work, in which department the remainder of the Auckland forwards, with the exception of McLean, showed poor tactics. Butler was conspicuous for solid play, but an injury to his shoulder in the early stages of the game affected his display in tho tight. The others, especially Brown, were all good in tho loose. Cooper worked strenuously in tho tight, but Hadley was inclined to dodge this more severe portion of the play. For their initial match the backs combined well. Fletcher, centre-three-quarter, was outstanding, as was Bush, who did a great deal of work with credit, his one weakness being faulty direction in his lino-kicking. Dick was the best wing and was most elusive. He was unfortunate that tho trend of play did not go more toward his flank. On the other wing Moses played soundly, but appeared to lack the dash necessary for a classy threequarter. This may have been due to a shoulder injury received in a club match in Auckland and which was so accentuated in the second spell that he was forced to retire, his place being tajcen by Grant. It was a wise move on the part of the Waikato selector in placing G. Solomon opposite his brother, D. Solomon,in the Auckland team. Naturally the Waikato player understood his brother's tricks better than a stranger would and ho gave the Aucklnnder little latitude. Murdoch was weak at first fiveeighths. He kicked too often and attempted too much on his own. Thompson, behind tho scrum, showed promise of better things, but ho has yet a lot to learn. Waikato fielded a set of solid rucking forwards, among whom Leeson was outstanding. Mainly due to its ability to win the ball, this combination bold a territorial advantage over the Auckland pack in the second spell. Tho team was unfortunate in being without the services of All Black J. G. Wynyard, who sustained a bad head injury in a motor-car accident the previous week, Aitken, centre-threequarter, and Buick, winger, who both received leg injuries prior to the match. These players, however, will be available for the return contest on June 23 and their inclusion should greatly strengthen the team.

THE SESTIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADING TEAM EXTENDED Six matches have now been played in the Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition, and Ponsonbv is the only undefeated team. Will the side go through the first round without a loss? This is a question upjiermost in' the minds of supporters of the club at the moment. Next Saturday Technical will oppose tho leading team, while the following weeki the latter will be called upon to stave off a chal-' lenge from Grafton. College Rifles is next on the list, a bye follows, and in the last series Ponsonby will meet Otahuhu. That Ponsonby is not invincible was demonstrated at Sturges Park last Saturday, when the side was fully extended by a inueh-weakened Manukau fifteen. It would appear, therefore, that both Technical and Grafton have reasonable prospects of checking the career of tho leading team. In fact Grafton is very confident of being able to accomplish the feat. Marist, which is runner-up to Ponsonby at the moment, has a bye this week and will then be called upon to play some hard matches, its successive opponents being University, Grammar, Manukau and Technical. There is plenty of time yet for positions of the leading teams to chango, but, if Ponsonby is not actually at the head of the list upon tho conclusion of the first round, then it will be very handv thereto. The match on Saturday next between Technical and Ponsonby should bo well worth seeing, as the '.earns will be fairly evenly matched in regard to weight and size Thero should not be a great deal of difference between tlm packs, while the Technical backs possess the speed and ability for both attack and defence. Ponsonby will be favourite, hut the result may be much closer than anticipated.

TOUR BY NORTH AUCKLAND BEST POSSIBLE-TEAM WANTED ■ Tho president of the North Auckland Rugby Union, Mr. L. J. Brake, of Wliangarei, visited Rangiahua recently and discussed with the representatives of the four northern unions matters in connection with the forthcoming toui; of tho North Auckland representative foam to visit Auckland, Wellington and South Island centres toward tho end of tho season. Mr. Brake urged upon tho delegates tho necessity for making every endeavour to arrange for necessary leave for every probable player so that the best possible team would make Hie trip. Ho stated it would be necessary for each union to send in to the secretary of the union in Whangarei a list of the best players available. This would assist tho selectors in making their final choice, and obviate selecting players who would not bo available. Players were urged to go in for systematic training, as it was desired to send away the best players representative of the province. Mr. Brake stated that tho tour was being carried out with a view to giving North Auckland players experience in meeting, tho best representative teams, also of bringing before other centres the types of players that are available in North Auckland.

Mr. Brake's proposal has been taken tip most enthusiastically by all tho unions, and present indications point to a thoroughly representative team making tho tour. On no previous occasion has a North Auckland team travelled further than the Wairarapa, whereas the forthcoming tour will expend to Dunedin, where the team will play the Otago representatives, who at present hold tho Ranfurly Shield. Should Otago still be the holder, it has been arranged that tho match will bo accepted as a challengo for tho Shield,