RUGBY MATCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 22

RUGBY MATCH

[REPRESENTATIVE PLAY iNORTH AUCKLAND FIFTEEN | THE PROBABLE SELECTION JEAM TO BE CHOSEN TO-DAY Tho Auckland Rugby representative fifteen will play its fourth match of the season against North Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon. Iho home side has a consistent record in the contests already decided. was beaten decisively twice, first bv 29 3. and in the return encounter by 25—3. The game at tho beginning of the month, in which the strong Taranaki side was defeated by 16 points to nine, was a further triumph for the Auckland combination. On this occasion a makeshift threequarter line had to take tho field/at the last minute in place of the three men selected. Auckland's team as selected by Mr. F. W. Lucas is strong, although J. Dick, wing, and W. N. Carson, forward, will not be included on account of their absence in Australia with the All Blacks. Nevertheless, capable men will fill their places and Auckland can be relied upon to give another excellent display. The solo selector to the North Auckland Rugby Union, Mr. Karl Ifwcrsom 'will announce his team after tho trial match at Whangarei to-day. It appears a3 if M"r. Ifwerson is again going to pin his faith to heavy forwards with a few of tho roving type, & combination that worked well against the Springboks last year. It looks as though there will not bo anv great alteration in the North Auckland team of last season, but it should be a stronger combination than last year. Of the two fullbacks in tho trial, Masters will probably make the grade. He has had much wider experience than TTrlich. The latter, being a young player, should have a good chance for North Auckland honours when Masters retires. Masters rather disappointed his supporters in tho All Black trials this year. In the threequarter line will be seen the well-known player, Colmore-Wil-liams, of Dargaville, and the Wintle brothers, of Otamatea. Also in line for selection will bo Cunningham, of Hikurangi, a player who will be hard to keep out judging on his form of the season. Kif} Rika, of the Whangarei Old Boys Club, is a bit young for representative honours, but ho should be included next year if he maintains recent form. The inside backs should be an improvement on last year. Johns, of Kaeo, will again be seen. He will need to play better football, however, if lie is to keep out Gibson, of Hikurangi, a scientific player who is alert for an opening. Quick to get rid of the ball when he is bottled up, Ryder, of Awanui, impressed in the second half of the Maori All Black trial, although he was weak in the first spell. This may have been caused by being, as were the majority of other players, Tattled with incessant whistle. Whitefield', of Rawene, although a footballer of promise, is not likely to make the t«am. Codling, the Hikurangi halfback, Bas been playing good football this year and he should have no difficulty in gaining a place in preference to Mack, the Bay of Islands halfback. WEIGHT AMONG FORWARDS ' MAORI REPRESENTATIVE There will be plenty of weight in the forwards. Those likely to make the trip are Ling, from Hokianga, a light bustling player, Scarborough, of Whangarei Old Boys, and an ex-Grammar Old Boys' player, S. Alison, who confounded his critics when playing against the Springboks. W. Cooper, the Maori 'All Black from tho far north, and Callanan, who was a member of the police athletic team, which went to Sydney this year, should be included. Callanan turns the scales at about 14 stone, but he is capablo of rare speed. jWordley, of Northern Wairoa, is an Old plaver who may bo seen again. Flavell and Nathan, of Wairoa, are men of much ability, who are in tho running for selection. Both are groat workers. Nepia, of Ahipara, would have made a sound forward had he played in good company in his early football days. He lias weight, reach and pace, but not the knowledge of an experienced player. McGhee, of Whangaroa, is hardly up to form. Brydon, White, Fletcher and Bradley, of Whangarei, are well worth a trial, but it remains to be seen how they wTll shape in representative comGreensmith is a newcomer to •Northern football, who has made a name for himself in the Mangonui competition this season. C'ullen, of Otamatea, should prove his worth in tho trial." M. Morrissey, of Whangarei, an old representative player, will probably be in the team, but will not toko part in to-day's match.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PONSONBY TEAM'S DEFEAT The defeat of Ponsonby by Marist at the Show Grounds last Saturday will have the effect of creating greater interest in the senior championship. Ponfidnby and Technical arc now level in first place and their records are very similar. Each team has played ten matches. Ponsonby has Avon eight and lost two, whereas Technical has won eight, lost one and drawn one. The former has scored 155 points and had 70 registered against it. while Techfigures are 154 and 07 respectively. It must be remembered, however, that Technical played through the first, round in tho second division. i There will be no senior matches on Saturday next on account of the representative fixture between Auckland and North Auckland. Tho games for .the following week will be: —Grafton v. Grammar, Ponsonby v. North Shore, Training College v. Marist, Technical jr, Manukau.