THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22858, 13 October 1937, Page 19

THE LEAGUE CODE

INJURED PLAYERS' FUND

MAORIS BEAT AUCKLAND OUTSTANDING FORWARDS Commendable enterprise was shown by the Auckland Rugby League Senior Clubs' Officers' Association in the successful efforts to establish a permanent fund for injured players. Payments for insurance have been a costly item for the Auckland League this season, as no fewer than five players sustained broken legs. It is only to be expected that tho clubs should accept some of the responsibility, and now that a sound basis has been established, it is anticipated that the match will bo an annual one. No better attraction could be arranged than the regular meeting of the Maori and Pakeha teams, which drew a largo crowd last Saturday.

There is no doubt the Maoris have taken a keen interest in tbe code, and it is to be hoped the match will be played much earlier next season. The Auckland team last Saturday did not represent the full strength of the clubs, but on the day's play it would have taken a very powerfid combination to defeat the Maoris. In spite of the big score, play was always interesting, and excellent passing by the Maori forwards was a feature of the game. Perhaps the hard ground caused the players to throw the ball about, but it is a long time since such fine combination by forwards has been seen. Brodrick, Mitchell, McLeod and Tristram played dashing games and were frequently a thorn in the side of the Auckland team. Brodrick played an outstanding game and is the most improved forward in the code. His speed made great gaps in the defence, and even good tackling failed on occasions to stop his progress. The best was seen of Mitchell, who has had more than his share of injuries this season. The Richmond forward has only to repeat this form next season to win a place in the New Zealand team to visit Australia. McLcod again proved to be one of the best forwards in the game, and if he concentrates on hooking next season, the New Zealand selectors should not have much difficulty in filling the centre forward position. Tristram, who scored three tries, is an ex-Waikato Rugby forward. Both Raymond and Cootes, the remaining Maori forwards, played lino games.

ANDERSON'S RECORD 162 POINTS FOR SEASON Among the Auckland forwards, J. Anderson was outstanding. He showed a lot of pace in the loose and excelled in good handling. Anderson scored two tries and converted one, which made the total points scored by him during the season 162. This is probably a record for a forward in League football. AUSTRALIANS ON TOUR FIRST TEST ON SATURDAY Interest in the tour of the Australian Rugby League team now in England will be increased on Saturday when the first test match is to be played at Leeds. The Australians will be opposed to a very strong English thirteen, a majority of whom comprised the side which was successful in Australia last season, when England won two of the three test, matches. The only new players in the English team arc Cunniffe and .Croston. Jenkins and McCue, the halfbacks, played against Australia in all three test matches, and will bo remembered for brilliant football at Carlaw Park last season. England appears to hold an advantage in the forwards, and should win the ball for the backs. Hodgson and Arkwright are considered the finest forwards seen in England for many years, while Armit is an outstanding hooker. To date, the Australians have won five matches and lost two. The team to represent England is as follows:—Fullback, Belshawj threequarters, Cunniffe* Croston, Risman, Edwards; halfbacks, Jenkins, McCue; forwards, Silcock, Armit, Woods, Arkwright, Hodgson, Beverley.