FOOTBALL TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22498, 15 August 1936, Page 18

FOOTBALL TEST

FINAL LEAGUE MATCH ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND TO-DAY'S GREAT CONTEST PERSONNEL OF THE TEAMS The final Rugby League tost match between England and New Zealand will be played at Carlaw Park this afternoon when a fast and thrilling game is anticipated. It will bo, the last match of tho English team's tour and they will leave for Southampton this evening by tho Akaroa. In the first test match last Saturday New Zealand made a surprisingly good showing, and although it failed to cross England's line its fine defence had the visitors clearly worried. The New Zealand team for to-day has been in hard training during the week and the players are all very fit. If the home forwards can stand up to tho opposition as well as in tho first test the team may cause a surprise. All that would then be needed would be better combination among tho New Zealand backs. Changes in' Local Side Two changes have been made in the New Zealand team for to-day. Both Hemi and L. Scott are suffering from injuries, and their places will be taken by Dempsey and Mincham respectively. As the newcomers have played we 11 in club football throughout the season the New Zealand side may prove a stronger one than that for the first test. England will field a strong combination, the captain, J. Brough, again appearing at fullback. Belshaw, who played a great game as custodian last Saturday, will be seen in tho threequarter line. Tho two clever halves, Jenkins and Watkins, are also to take the field. The visitors are again likely to have a monopoly of the ball from the scrums, and the New Zealand defence will need to show no weaknesses. Increased Interest The closeness of the first test, which England won by the narrow margin of two points, has heightened interest in to-day's game, and a great contest should result. Curtain-raisers to the test match will be played from 12.30 p.m. Following are the teams: — j ENGLAND J Fullback.—J. Brough. Threequarters.—A. S. Edwards, A. J. Risman, S. Brogden, W. Belshaw. Halfbacks.—W. Watkins. E. Jenkins. Forwards.—T. Armitt, H. Field, J. H. Woods, J. Arkwright, J. Miller. M. Hodgson, L. A." Troup (one to be omitted). NEW ZEALAND Fullback. —0. Dempsey. Threequarters.—E. Mincham, W. Tittleton, L. Brown. Five-eighths.—T. Trevathan, A. Kay. Halfback.—R. Powell. Forwards. —W. McNeight, W. Glynn, J. Calder, J. Cootes, F. Pickrang, S. Watene. t