THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

FIRST TEST MATCH ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND COURTNEY TROPHY AT STAKE The first tost match between the touring English Rugby League side and New Zealand will ho played at Carlaw Park next Saturday, and great interest is beimi centred in the game. The touring team has proved equal in strength to any of ils predecessors, and New Zealand has a hard problem to solve to take tlio honours. Only two test matches will lie played on the present tour, the second being set down for next Saturday week. The Courtney Goodwill Trophy, donated for world supremacy at the code, will he at stake in the tests,against New Zealand. Kngland annexed the trophy by winning two of the three test matches in the recent series with Australia. The present touring team is the seventh English side to visit the Dominion since the game started in New Zealand in ]9OB-9. In 1910 England heat New Zealand in the only test hv 52 points to L'O. The 1911 team won the only test by 10 points to 13. Three tests were played in J 1)20, England winning by :U —7, 19 —3, and 11 —10 respectively. New Zealand won the first two test's in 3921 by JG—B and Hi—ll, and lost the third, 18—.11. The J928 English team lost the first test, 13 —17, and won the other two, l.'i —5 and f>—s. The 19;i2 tourists were successful in tho three tests, winning 21—9, 20—14 and 20 —18, DOMINION PLAYERS LIKELY COMBINATION The selectors of tlio New Zealand team, Messrs. H. Avery, A. T. McClymunt and J. E. Amos, have had a hard task in choosing the right type of player to pit against the powerful visiting combination. They have chosen what appears a likely combination.

The choice of Henii as fullback will give general satisfaction. He has had to stand down for several weeks owing to a knee injury, but last Saturday he revealed his best form for Mantikau. The only doubt about Henii is his ability to stand up to a bard afternoon on defence. lie is an excellent place-kick.

The selectors have caused a mild surprise by placing L. Scott on the wing. Scott, however, has played some fine attacking games this season, and scored three sensational tries through his own anticipation and rare speed. He may rise to the occasion on defence next Saturday. Tittleton has already proved himself in big football and is a sound all-round player. Brown is always likely to do brilliant things, hut his form will need to show improvement on that in the Auckland match.

The five-eighths, Kay and Trevathan, should pair well together. The former has already had some experience of big football and on his day is brilliant. Trevathan has proved a fine all-round player and fully justified his inclusion. Powell is the soundest all-round halfback and he also merited selection.

It appears that the selectors have set their minds on more weight for the serum and the.v have chosen a good allround set of forwards. The vanguard is expected to make a good showing against its more experienced and heavier opponents. In order to check the hrillinnce of the visiting players the tacklinc will have to he riszlit up to the best standard. New Zealand's prospects of success will bo enhanced if the English halves can be stopped. The New Zealand team for the match is as follows: — Fullback. —J. Hemi (Auckland). Threequarters.—L. Scott (Auckland). W. Tittleton (Auckland), L. Brown (Auckland). Five-eighths.—T. Trevathan (Auckland), A. Kay (Auckland). Halfback.—li. Powell (Auckland). Forwards.—J. Coutts (Wellington). W. McKneight (West Coast), J. Calder (West Coast), W. Glynn (West Coast), F. Pickrang (Auckland), S. Watcne (Auckland), captain. Hemi, Trevathan, Coutts, McKneight and Pickrang will bo representing New Zealand for the first time. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PICK HANG'S FINE DISPLAY One of the best games this season was provided by Manukau and Mount Albert in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship last Saturday. The Manukau forwards played a bustling game and their fast raiding and sound tackling upset the combination of the Mount Albert rearguard. An outstanding feature of the match was the great all-round game played by Pickrang in the Manukau vanguard. He was always in the picture on attack or defence and his tackling was excellent. With two matches to be decided Richmond is leading in the championship by one point from Manukau and Mount Albert. The competition is still decidedly interesting. Richmond has yet to -play Devonport and City, while Manukau will meet Marist and Newton. Mount Albert has to play City and Marist.