THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22768, 30 June 1937, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

AUSTRALIAN TEAM'S TOUR

INTEREST IN PERSONNEL

* a d— O. YOUNG PLAYERS INCLUDED

The selection of the Australian Rugby League team which will play three matches in Auckland on its way to England has caused much interest. Many of the players are well-known in Auckland. A feature of the selection is the inclusion of many young players who have gained representative honours for the first time. The backs have pace and, with several players of experience among the. rearguard, Australia can be expected to do well in England.' The appearance at Carlaw Park of such players as J. Beaton, L. Ward, F. Tottey, R. McKinnon, E. Norman and P. Williams is being eagerly awaited. It is interesting to mention that many of the players have become accustomed to wet weather conditions, which have been frequent in Sydney this season. Recently an Australian critic remarked on the brilliant handling of the Sydney backs when ground conditions were similar to those which can be expected in England. The forwards chosen represent the best Australia lias available and in this department excellent results are exacted. Of the fourteen forwards chosen seven have bad previous English experience, and should know the conditions well. Aucklanders will be pleased to see again in action W. Prigg, R. Stehr, F. Curran, P. Fairall, S. Pearce and E. Lewis, who comprised the pack which opposed New Zealand two years

The selection of Fairall, who is popular at Carlaw Park, is welcomed hut comes as a surprise, seeing he failed to gain a place in the New-South Wales team. In the fir*t match between Queensland and New South Wales played recently in Sydney, the respective hookers, M. Madsen and E. Nolan, were ordered off for repeated infringement of the rules. Nolan is one of the touring team. F. Tottey, who is one of the wing threequarters, was educated at Hamilton, where he learned his football.

The Australian Board of Control lias appointed Messrs. H. Sunderland (Queensland) and R. Savage (New South Wales), as joint managers of the team. An unusual departure is being made in the selection of the captain, which will not be announced until a few days before the team leaves for New Zealand. W. Prigg (Newcastle) is the popular choice. A liberal allowance is to be made to the players, who will received £4 weekly. The managers will each be given £6 weekly.

PONSONBY'S NEW PLAYERS

PICKRANG AND COOTES

Ponsonby has received a decided acquisition to its forwards by the inclusion of F. Pickrang, formerly of Manukau, and L. H. C'ootes, of Wellington. Pickrang was the outstanding forward for New Zealand in the test matches played last season against England. He has been standing down this season owin<£ to difficulties over his transfer, which has now been approved by the Auckland Rugby League. Cootes, a big forward, is a brother of J. Cootes, the New Zealand representative. The newcomer played representative Rugby football for Horowhenua, where he showed outstanding ability as a front row forward. Cootes is an ideal type, being lost. 41b. in weight and has a lot of speed. Both players will be seen in action next Saturday. CONTROL IN AUSTRALIA TOURNAMENT SUGGESTED It has been stated that the Australian Rugby League Board of Control will soon be abolished. The delegates who comprise the New South Wales and Queensland League cannot agree on many matters of control, and a split is being forced by New South Wales. Recently the secretary, Mr. H. R. Miller, tendered his resignation but it was not accepted. It has been announced in Sydney that a quadrangular tournament is likely to be staged in Australia next season. France has only to show the form expected against the Australian team this season to give force to the proposal. New Zealand, New. South Wales, .Queensland and France may take part in the greatest Rugby League football carnival yet held in Australia. Australia has a player in J. Beaton, of Eastern Suburbs, who is claimed to he the equal of, if not better than, Dave Brown, the fatuous Kangaroo captain. Brown is now in England, but his place at centre three-quarter is being ably filled by Beaton. In a recent interState match against Queensland, Beaton gave a brilliant display on attack with his side-stepping and swerving. He is more orthodox than Brown and one of the biggest men seen in his position.