THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

NEXT SATURDAY'S GAME NEW ZEALAND V. AUCKLAND GREAT MATCH ANTICIPATED The Auckland team selected to meet the New Zealand representatives at Carlaw Park next Saturday is a wellbalanced combination and should give a good account of itself in spite of the strength of the opposition. The New Zeala.nd players' should have developed efficient team work on the tour and„ the experience they gained will no doubt be beneficial to the code in the future. The Auckland selectors caused a great surprise by omitting M. Hansen, the Mount Albert forward, from the team to meet New Zealand. No player iji Auckland has improved to the extent that Hansen has, and his all-round ability has been repeatedly shown in club games this season. Lie also played a fine game for the Maoris in the match against Auckland on the King's Birthday. Hansen anticipates the play well, and besides the cood work he puts in with the forwards, he is adept at supporting his backs. He often shows brilliance on attack, while his defence is very sound. If he maintains his present form he should not be long in gaining New Zealand honours. • Another unlucky forward is Woods, Marist. Throughout the season he has played heady all round games.

Even with the transfer to Wellington of the Richmond custodian, Furnell, Auckland is well served in fullbacks at present. Besides Hem; and J. Smith there are MacLachlan, .Mount Albert, and Glover, Marist. The two last-named gave good exhibitions on Saturday, but MacLachlan impressed more iji all-round work. MacLachlan is very clever in kicking and finds touch more accurately with his screw kicks than any of the other fullbacks. The Mount Albert player is a little unlucky that he did not gain representative honours for next Saturday. The threequarter line chosen for Auckland is a strong one. Riley, who was not available for the, New Zealand team, is one of the most elusive players in the code, and with reasonable chances he should be prominent on the wing. T. Chase, the other wing, was unlucky in missing selection for the touring side, and is a good allround plaver. R. Haslam always plays consistently and often brilliantly and no player in the code runs his wings into better positions. Haslam is also splendid on defence. V. Scott, the well-known cricketer, will have his chance in association with Haslam and R. Banham, the playercoach. Scott is showing much promise at present. The inside backs. Banham and Mahima, should be capable of giving the outside men opportunities, especially as the hooker. Leatherbarrow. is likely to gain his .share of the ball from the scrums. The forwards are a fast and even set, who are capable of testing the opposition to the utmost. Under fine conditions a great exhibition of the code should be given. The chairman of the Auckland Rugby League, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, said, at the welcome home to the New Zealand team last Monday, that spine enthusiasts thought players up to Dominion standard in Auckland had been left out of the New Zealand team which toured Australia. The match next Saturday would prove whether this contention was correct.