THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23036, 13 May 1938, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MANUKAU AND RICHMOND GREAT GAME ANTICIPATED A great game is anticipated at Carlaw Park to-morrow afternoon, when Manukau will meet Richmond in tho principal attraction of the sixth series of matches in tho first round of the Auckland Rugby League. The series will be the last club games before tho trials to select tho New Zealand team to tour Australia. Roth teams have now settled down and tho best football of the season to date should be provided. The prospects of either side winning the championship honours will , depend a good deal on tho result. Ihe Manukau forwards will be faced with a strong ?ot which is likely to obtain possession from most of the scrums. 11 this should happen the Richmond backs will be hard to keep out. Tho Manukau defence, which has been cood to date, will bo thoroughly tested. I ho. Richmond threcriuarter lino appears the faster, but both rearguards aro capable of nne football. Should Manukau gam a fair share of tiie ball its unorthodox methods at times, with a little moro combination, may carry t to victory. Richmond, on tho other hand, is always a difficult side to beat on account of it's good all-round team-work. A fast curtain-raiser should result in ine meeting of Ponsonby and Newton. Ihei latter is at present in the lead for championship honours. Tho Ponsonby team can• bo expected to play well under good conditions and "Vchicf ma 8 t U ch Pr on-the No. 2 ground will be contested by Marist and City-Prospects would seem to be in favour of Marist. Tho curtain-raiser will bo play" l will he Shore and Papakura and tho former will St Lowe y r will be continued to-morrow. TOUR OF AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND TEAM COUNTRY MATCH DECLINED Tho question of the New Zealand team playing a match in a country centre prior to meeting New boutli Wales in Sydney on Juno 11 was keenly discussed at last evening s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League. A motion was carried against tho suggestion. Mr. N. A. Kyle (Taranaki) introduced the subject, and expressed strong views that tne actual team to meet New South Wales sll<ould play at Goulburn on Wednesday, June 8. He said that this game would be-excellent mate practice, and the team would benefit accord inglv. Tho gamo would bo a splendid S ulti to tho selectors, and he had grave d° ubt3 the week's training in Sydney gamo would be to tho touring teams ad Va Mr lge E. K. Asher supported these views and said that tho question of Sotting beaten should not bo considered. iho the better for a real game prior to flaying New South Wales. . . h Mr. W. J. Taylor strongly opposed the country match on tho grounds of POMible injuries to players in key positions He f cases of both English and Now Zealand teams losing star players from against country teams. He ? aI( L q nuth country team was easy to beat in New South W Tho president. Mr. J. A. Redwood said after consultation with the coach, Mr. • • McClymont, ho did not favour PJay" * game. If circumstances warranted it. how ever, the team managers could inako suitable a Tt n wTs C de ß cided on tho recommendation of tho finance committee that 22 ,^ ay^ rs /°™ d prise the team for Australia. Mr. Redwood said that this number was considered sufficient, as only nine matches so far ar ?n ng rcgard to the request of the Auckland Rugby League for a match against New Zea land on its return from Australia, Mr. Redwood said the matter should bo referred to the I manager of the touring team before any i definite promise was made. Mr. E K. Asher, on behalf of the Maori control board, expressed the views that a ' New Zealand Maori representative team should play the touring team. It would bo an outstanding attraction. It was decided to give further consideration to the proposal at the next meeting. The Balmain District Club, the leading team in Sydney, made application for permission to visit New Zealand lator in the season. It was pointed out that tho New South Wales Rugby League had recommended the visit, which also had tho support of the Australian board of control. Tho Balmain Club suggested that the managers of tho New Zealand touring team could open negotiations on arrival in Sydney. This suggestion was agreed to. It was decided that international rules be played in the North v. South Island match next Saturday week, and on tho casting vote of tho chairman there is to bo no replacement of injured players.

FIRST TRIAL MATCH NORTH ISLAND PLAYERS The following team will represent the Rest of tho North Island against Auckland at Carlaw Park next "Wednesday in the first Auckland trial game for selection of the New Zealand team to tour Australia: — Fullback. —F. O'Connor (Wellington). Threequarters.—P. McGarvey (Bay of Plenty), C. Mulholland (Wellington), M. Tarplett (South Auckland). Five-eighths.—B. Natnku (Bay of Plenty), L. McCready (Bay of Plenty). Halfback. —B. Blackie (Bay of Plenty). Forwards.—J. Coutts (Wellington), W. Brooks (South Auckland), L. Lewis (Taranaki), E. Mnstchen, H. Rodgers (King Country), E. Taylor (North Auckland).

Reserves.—Back: R. McGreal (South Auckland). Forwards: F. Howe (Wellington).