RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23132, 2 September 1938, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL

[MAO#! TEAM'S RETURN

MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND j mm il ATTRACTION FOR TO-MORROW BRIGHT CONTEST EXPECTED The appearance of the New Zealand Maori team at Eden Park to-morrow afternoon should attract a very large attendance to the Auckland Rugby Union's headquarters. The Maoris will return to-day after a successful tour of Fiji and they will play the Auckland representative side on the Eden Park oval at 3 p.m. to-morrow. The touring side played five matches in Fiji It won * wo, drew * n th® test, lost the second and won the third. Rugby me n who have been to Fiji 6tate that only one who has seen the islanders in action can. imagino what oppoisition facod the Maoris. The Fijian footballers have been described as being extremely well built, possessing great speed, and having ability to handle the ball well and tackie solidly. Such assets would undoubtedly compensate in very large measure for lack of knowledge of the finer points of P Having had the opportunity of acquiring ' combination and understanding of one another's play, the Maoris should bo now capable of giving a bright exhibition. Past experience has proved that Maori teams invariably play fast and open football. The manner in which they take all kinds of risks and their penchant for doing something unorthodox always assures them of warm pnblic

The Auckland team has an unbeaten record to date, and, as it will depart at the beginning of next week on its southern tour, the home fifteen is bound to make every endeavour to maintain that record. The curtain-raiser will bo between the South Auckland representatives and the Auckland intermediate representatives and it will coramenco at l.u'o p.m. Following aro tho teams for tho principal match:— AUCKLAND uNiiihftck.—lX Solomon. _ Threequariers. —D. Martin, A. Prentice, J. Fire-eighths.—D. Brady, N. Pearman, Brw, H. Bond, a Peppor. Kd F. kol-aa. Tfe. R. Hull, W N, Carson. T. Lockington. Back iow.—D. Wnillans. MAORIS The Maori fifteen will be chosen from-the following players f Fullback. —S. Jackson. Threequarters. —E. Hohapata, P. Kutia, H Steele J. Murray, G. Ngaia. Fire-eighths—T. Wi Repa, J. Wetere, E. Howell. . KlK&I. I***.* A Kenny, D. Matthews, D. Tuhoro, C. White. P. Smith, Mason McDonald.

TRAMWAY TOURNEY SUCCESS OF AUCKLAND The Dominion Tramways Rugby tonrnament was concluded at Carlaw Park yesterday afternoon, when Auckland defeated Dunedin in a close' game to win tho Kohn Shield by 5 points to 0. The Auckland Transport Club's Cup, for the winner of tho match between the losing team of the North Island and the losing team of tho South Island, was won by Wellington, which defeated Chiistchurch by 14 points' to 6. Atrocious ground conditions and heavy rain squalls nullified any spectacular play or passing movements among the backs-, and both games were forward struggles. In the main attraction Auckland attempted passing movements, but soon found that tho greasy ball allowed the Dunedin men to frustrate easily. There was little to chooso between the teams in the. line-outs., both sides gaining an equal shire of theball. Dunedin had more weight than Auckland in the scrums, but the local players held their opponents, and it was very seldom that tho ball came out cleanly. Auckland scored early when R. Somers went over, for Anderson to convert. Dunedin had another close call when Gribble showed out in an elusive run, on y fo s«ip inches short of* the line. Bolton held up many Auckland attacks with sure handling and speedy dashes, and found tho line with brilliant kicking. The safe fielding of the greasv ball by Price, the Auckland fullback, was a feature of the play, as was the sound ball control which Anderson exercised in dribbling rushes with which he carried play into Dunedin's territory. Toward tho end the lighter Auckland players were in the ascendancy, and a nice movement was seen when three of them went over the line, but the touchdown was well behind the dead ball area.

Mr. J. G. C. Wales was the referee. Although suffering from casualties, and several of tho players being in different positions from which they were accustomed. Christchurch gave a creditable showing against Wellington in the early game. Wellington threw the ball about in the early stages before it got too greasy, and gained an early lead. Although Christchurch fought back gamely, it could not reduce the leeway and failed to cross the Wellington line. Tries were scored for Wellington by Cawley and Cleverley, while Gilbert converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. The Christchurch score came from two penalty goals kicked by Alexander. Mr. H. Blow was referee.

BIRCH/ CUP MATCH [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, Thursday The Thames team to play Hauraki Plains for the Birch Cup at Rhodes Park on Saturday has been chosen as follows: —Fullback, J. Maxwell; i threequarters, C. Billing. B. Davis, E. Andetson; five-eigbtbs. G. Solomon C. Hamilton: halfback, J. Ake; forwards, J. Poland, A. Story, E. Russek, T. Dunn, M. Hartnett, K. Strange, I. Hammond, G. Percy.