TO-DAY'S RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22504, 22 August 1936, Page 17

TO-DAY'S RUGBY

TOUR OF AUSTRALIANS MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND GREAT INTEREST CREATED CURTAIN-RAISER AND PARADE Tremendous interest is being taken in the Rugby match to be played at Eden Park to-day between Australia and Auckland. This will be the first game of the' visitors' tour of New Zealand, in which 10 matches will !> e played, including two tests. These latter will be for possession of the Bledisloe Cup, at present held by Australia, and they will be played in Wellington and Dunedin. The ground is likely to be heavy after the rain which fell yesterday and the conditions will be in favour of the home team. In order that they Tvoiild be able to give their best display the visitors were hoping for a dry ground and ball, but it is doubtful if they will now even get the latter. The Australian side is one of the fastest that has ever visited the Dominion, ar.d so heavy ground conditions will not be in its favour. However, the visitors will field a very solid pack, and, as the forwards are practically all 6ft. or over in height, thev should obtain their full share of the ball from the line-outs. Backs of past Australian teams have been noted for their brilliant handling and passing, and, even with a greasy ball, the visitors will endeavour to make the play as open as possible. Auckland's Strong Side The Auckland team is regarded as being one of the strongest, if not actually the strongest, in the Dominion. Certainly it lost two of its five matches on its recent southern tour, but its record was a splendid one when it is remembered that the team had to play five matches in a space of 11 days. The play of the backs greatly impressed the critics who saw the games in the various southern centres, while the forwards acquired a scrum formation which was regarded as being better than anything they were called upon to oppose. Having freshened up since their strenuous tour, the Aucklandcrs may be depended upon to give a good account of themselves to-day. If the weather continues to be wet the prospects of the home team will be greatly enhanced. That the result of the Auckland match is being looked upon as a guide to the . strength of the visiting team is indi* cated by the widespread interest being taken in the contest. Bugby officials and visitors from all parts of the North Island have'been arriving during the week, and the secretary of the Auckland Rugby Union, Mr. T. W. Maben, has been inundated with letters and telegrams requesting the reservation of seats. Special Trains Arriving 1 A large number of visitors from various centres of the Auckland Province is expected this morning, when special trains will arrive. The special train from Taranaki is sure to be well patronised on account of the annual match between New Plymouth Boys' High School and Auckland Grammar School being played as a curtain-raiser to the main contest, which is timed to start at 3.15 p.m. ■■■ ".Vf? • ,-v The Auckland team has not been absolutely finalised, as the sole selector, Mr. J. H. Mufr, is undecided whether to play D. Solomon or T. H. C. Caughev at centre. However, if the weather continues wet, and the ground is heavy, Solomon is likely to gain prr.«erence.

At the conclusion of the cur camraiser between the secondary schools, which will start at 1.30 p.m., a big parade of over 2000 schoolboy playen will take place. These youths are representative of the 144 teams which ar« taking part in matches under the control of the Auckland Primary Schools Rugby Union. Personnel o! the Teams Following are the teams for to-day's match: — AUSTRALIA Fullback: K. P. Storey. Threequarters: J. D. Kelaher, D. A. McLean. R. £. McLaughlin, E. S. Hayes. Fire-eighth: L. S. Lewis. Halfback: E. de C. Gibbons. Rack Row: 0. L. Bridle, A. J. Hodgson, T. P. Pauling. Middle Row: K. M. Ramsay, R. L. F. Kelly. Front Row: [W. H. Cerutti, E. T. Bonis, R. J. Walden. Emergencies.—Backs: R. W. Dorr, J. D. Hammon. Forwards: J. H. Jlalone, F. E. Hutchinson. AUCKLAND Fullback: R. G. Bush. Threequarters: 3, Dick. D. Solomon, T. H. C. Caughey, K. Byerley (one to be omitted). Five-eighths: B. Killeen, L. Curtayne. Halfback: W. Frankham. Back Row: F. Solomon. Middle How: T. Lockington, W. Cooper, J. Butler, Ri Anderson. Front Row: C. S. Pepper, W. E. Hadley, A. Brown, Emergencies.—Back: A. Fletcher, Forwards: H. Bond. W. Carson. Referee.—Mr. A. Thompson, of Taranaki. Record of Home Team Following is the Auckland team's record to date:— Against Waikato, at Hamilton, won, 28—13. Against Waikato, at Auckland, won, 22—17, - Against Taranaki, at Auckland, won, 21—17. Against Otago, at Dunedin, lost, 5 —14. Against Southland, at Invercargill, won, 19—16. Against Canterbury, at Christchurch, lost, 15—24. Against Wairarapa, at Masterton, won, 21-10. Igainst Wellington, at Wellington, won, 21—18. PREVIOUS TOURS AUCKLAND WINS IN 1913 The present touring side is the fourth Australian team to visit the Dominion. Records of past tours are as follows: Points P. W. L. D. For Agst. 190.5 . . 7 3 4 1813 ..9 4 5 1931 .. 10 3 6 1 131 117 . The 1905 team defeated Auckland by [0 points to 8, Auckland beating the 1913 team by 15 points to 13. The 1931 Me did not play -Auckland.