THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23046, 25 May 1938, Page 23

THE LEAGUE CODE

TOUR OF AUSTRALIA DOMINION TEAM'S VISIT CAREERS OF PLAYERS CHOSEN Twenty-two players have been chosen by the selectors, Messrs. A. T. McClvmont (Auckland), H. Brisbane (Auckland) and J. E. Amos (Canterbury), for the New Zealand Rugby League team's tour of Australia. Following are brief sketches of the careers of the players:— G. Nepia (Auckland), fullback, is 33 years of age and weighs 13st. 71b. He is undoubtedly the most experienced player in the team. Nepia has not shown anything like the form he revealed last season,, but it is expected solid training will make a great difference in his play before the first game in Sydney on June 11. In 1924 frith the New Zealand Rugby team Nepia made his name famous in England by showing a standard of fullback play equal to or surpassing the best in the world. Since he came over to the League code four years ago Nppia has played with several English clubs and his experience should be invaluable in Australia. J. Smith (Auckland), fullback, is 20 years of age and weighs lOst. 91 b. He was originally a centre-threequarter and since playing fullback he has improved considerably, mainly from the coaching of It. Banham, the Australian player-coach. Although a little on the light side this should not be a big handicap as ho is a fine defensive player, and runs more with the ball than most fullbacks. He is also a splendid place-kick and it will occasion no surprise to see him eventually first choice for the fullback position. G. Midglev (Auckland), threequarter, is 26 years of age and weighs list 21b. Be has played consistently well in club games, and is perhaps one of tho fastest in the code. He handles well and is a very determined runner.

C. A. McNeil (Auckland), wingthrepquartcr, is 23 years of ago and weighs list. 71b. He gains his representative cap for the first time. MceiJ has plenty of speed, is a very determined runner and on his form against the South Island he should do We ll in Australia.

ft- Chase (Auckland), centre, is 20 Tears of age and weighs 13st. lib. He first learned his football at Taihape and when 17 j'ears of ago represented the Wanganui Rugby Union. Pie can Play either at five-eighths or threequarters, and last year against Australia Played a brilliant game on the wing Zealand. Chase has pace and initiative, and may develop into the best attacking back in the team.

A. Kay (Auckland), centre?, is 24 Jears of age and weighs 12st. 31b. A tine attacking back be was seen to advantage in club football last season, but was injured in the first match against Australia. Ho has a good turn c > speed and a deceptive swerve. Kay represented New Zealand in 1935. Brown (Canterbury), centre or P'Ug, is the player-coach of the Canterbury League. He is 25 years of age and weighs list. 71b. Brown was an outstanding centre-tln'eec|iiarter in Canterbury as a Rugby player in 1936. j . recently returned from England, paving played for two seasons with the farrow club. He has speed and is a * e r7 sound tackier.

W. Tittleton (Auckland), fiveeighths, is 24 years of age and weighs 12st. 71b. He stands out as the best all-round five-eighths in the game. He has had a lot of experience and has a good temperament for big football. Besides h e ' n S a clever attacking back Tittleton is good on defence, and in this department has always held his own against overseas teams. W. P. Brimble (Auckland), fiveeighths, is 24 years of age and weighs lOst. 71b. He is a brother of the halfback. Brimble came over from the Manukau Rugbv Union Club two years ago and represented Auckland on one occasion. He has a lot of speed and is very elusive on attack, with a keen sense of anticipation on defence. The brothers should work up an excellent combination with a few more games together. W. Brimble (Auckland), halfback, is 22 years of age and weighs lOst. 31b. He is one of the best halfbacks seen for some years. He can move very fast from the Rcrum and sends splendid passes from any position. He should make cood on the fast grounds in Australia, ft. Grotte (Auckland), halfback, is 26 years of age and weighs list. 121b. He was chosen as one of the halfbacks after a splendid game in the Possibles and Probables trial. He is solid and often brilliant round the scrum. and in the open. He played in Sydney for throe moasons with tho St. George Club and was coached bv F Burse.