LEAGUE TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22801, 7 August 1937, Page 17

LEAGUE TEST

GAME THIS AFTERNOON t; V* i VISITING AUSTRALIANS NEW ZEALAND'S STRENGTH WIDE INTEREST AROUSED :m;. Considerable interest is being taken in the meeting of Australia andtsNew Zealand in the first Rugby Leasts 1 test match, which will be played at'Carlaw Park this afternoon. The visitors, popularly known as the Kangaroos, are on their way to England,' and will play three matches in Auckland before sailing next Saturday. The visiting team includes some of the finest players yet to represent.Australia, and the side selected for this afternoon is considered the strongest available. In fact one of the managers stated it is nearly the test thirteen which will play England.

The Australians made a great impression in their practice runs. They undoubtedly . possess speed and give every indication .of being brilliant exponents of the League code. A lot of interest will be taken in the play, of the visiting forwards, which will: be opposed to a strong New Zealand- set. Among the Kangaroos' forwards; IS3W. Prigg, considered by many to be' the finest loose forward in the game. Pearce, Stehr and Gibbs.Bave all played previously at Carlaw Park, and the trio have great,pace in the loose. The ground conditions may hamper the Australian backs, although Norman ' and Williams, the halves, are high-class wet-dav players. The home backs, Bickerton and Tittleton, are set a difficult task to check this pair, and sound defence is essential. It is unfortunate that Mataira., and Pickrang, forwards, and Kay, centrethreequarter, are not available'.owing to injuries. However, the inclusion in the New Zealand team of R. Chase, at centre, has not weakened the back. line. Chase has shown excellent club form as a clever attacking back. •; His immediate opponent will be Beatonj|-an exceptionally, fast player, with more, than average scoring powers. The inclusion of McLeod, of Richmond, in ;the * forwards in place of Pickrang will actually improve the scrum strength.';McLeod is a tireless worker and a good handler in the loose. ~*~ -I*

The ground conditions should favour New Zealand, which may extend the visitors. A fast and open game is anticipated. There will be no replacement of injured players. The teams are as follows: — AUSTRALIA Fullback.—L. R. Ward. v ' , - Threequarters.—A. D. McLean,.- J. J. , Beaton, R. L. McKinnon, vr C. Hazelton. V Halfbacks.—E. J. Norman* PilgaWil« liams. \ .y. : Forwards.—J. Gibbs, F. NolaMh S. Pearce, E. Lewis, R. Prigg (captain). . NEW ZEALAND «© ' Fullback. —S. Watene (captainjv Threequarters.—C. Davison, R, Chase, B. Riley. ' ,/ Five-eighths.—W. Tittleton,-?N. Bickerton. Halfback. —N. Halloran. V Forwards.—J. Cootes, W. Glynn,- A* Gault, J . Brodrick, H. Tetley,. E. McLeod. nu-"2 Mr. M. Wetherill will be referee. * ft T MATCH AGAINST MAORIS' APPEARANCE OF G. NEPIAAdvice has been received by the--' New Zealand Rugb.v League that George Nepia, the well-known ex-All _ Black fullback, who recently returned from England, has accepted an invitation to play for the New Zealand Maori team in its match against the Australians at Carlaw ' Park next Wednesday. Nepia made himself famous in England in 1924 with the * New Zealand Rugby combination, and two years ago, he went buck _ ■to England as a League player. Nepia retained his form really well, and was a success with Streatham-Mitcham, - a London club, and later with Halifax. Nepia is at present in Christchurch and plaved two matches for the Hornby Club. He will come by aeroplane "from Christchurch to Palmerston North, and is expected in Auckland . • on Tuesday morning. ■&: