THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23360, 31 May 1939, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

1 MONDAY'S TEIAL MATCH AUCKLAND V. MAORIS SEVERAL LIKELY PLAYERS The first seriouß trial match for selection of the New Zealand Rugby League team to tour England and France this season will bo played on Monday next, when an Auckland thirteen will meet the Maori representatives. Richmond and Marist will be engaged in a competition match as a cur-•tain-raiser, and, consequently, no players from these two clubs have been chosen for the Auckland side, which is, nevertheless, a strong thirteen. The representative fixture has been played, annually for some years, so that a competitive .spirit, in addition to the fact that it is a trial game, will ensure additional keenness and friendly rivalry. In view of the excellent attendances at club games this season, and the interest in the English tour, the interest of patrons of the code should reach a high pitch. There is no doubt that several of the Maori players taking part in the match will eventually find a place in the New Zealand team and it will be interesting to compare their form with that of the Auckland players. It is regretted that E, Beadle, the Waikato forward, has hot been given a chance to show his form in good company. Beadle has been outstanding in the last three Sunday games. He is perhaps one of the biggest forwards in the game and he has undoubted ability. It may not yet be too late to replace one of the Auckland forwards in the second half of the match with this South Auckland player.

In the selection of the fullback, J. Smith, of North Shore, was the first choice for the Auckland team, and he will' we opposed by George Nepia, who is fit again after an injury to his arm some weeks ago. Against South Auckland last Sunday. Nepia played a brilliant game, and Smith will need to be right on his game to overshadow the famous Maori fullback. The selectors are evidently out to secure voting players, as shown in the choice of the wings, R. Nurse, Ponsonby, and A. Mclnnarney, Mount Albert. Both players rose from the junior ranks two years ago, and their form this season has been very impressive. Nurse is perhaps the fastest back | in the game, and gave a taste of his speed in outclassing five players in a recent race at Carlaw Park. As Riley, | hi.s clubmate, is the centre chosen, I Nurse will not be without opportuniI ties. Mclnnarney is a very clever attacking back, most of his experience being gained at five-eighths. However, the experiment of playing him on the wing is a good one. Many critics would have preferred V. Scott. North Shore, or R. Marshall, Mount Albert, for the centre-threequarter position. Both players are young and in good company their true worth would be revealed. Riley has a bad habit of hanging on to the ball, and he is not the straight runner essential for the position. McManus, Ponsonby, also has strong claims for a position, but his chances will no doubt come in the near future. THE HALFBACKS WALKER UNLUCKY Little fault can be found with the selection of A. Kay, Ponsonby, andR. Banharn. Mount Albert, at fiveeighths. Both are brilliant players on attack and their defence is sound. The selection of Sterling, North Shore, as halfback, in preference to Walker will cause some surprise. Sterling has certainly played very sound football, but lie is not as versatile as Walker, whose methods are more in keeping with the Australian type of halfback play. However, the halfbacks in Auckland are very even, and on the day Mahima, the Maori halfback, may get a chance of proving he is better than either Sterling or Walker: The Auckland selectors, like the officials entrusted with the final responsibility- of choosing the New Zealand team, must be faced with a difficult task in reviewing the forwards' positions. A high standard has been set and there are At least. 10 forwards of equal merit. In the first Auckland team some good men have been left out, but they will no doubt get further opportunities.. The omission of H. Milliken, one of the outstanding All Black" forwards of last season, is striking evidence of'the talent available. The best has not been seen -of Milliken, as itmust be remembered he is playing in the weakest team in the club competition. It will be observed that Mount Albert provides four of the six forwards selected, and not a groat deal of fault can bo found with their inclusion. They are as follows: —Gunning. Jveatherbarrow, Herring and Shadbolt. The difficulty is to choose powerful front-row forwards, who must be specialists in their jobs. Flanagan, Ponsonby, is a cleaner hooker than Leatherbarrow. but the latter lias an advantage in weight, and this no doubt influenced the selectors. The selection of C. Petersen, Ponsonby. as the third-row forward was the obvious choice, as ho is playing splendid football at present. MAORI PLAYERS NEPIA AND HEMI The Maori selectors are confident that Nepia has no peer as a fullback, and his many followers expect a great game from their popular star. Nepia has on many occasions proved his ability to rise to great heights in big football. J. Hemi. at- centre, is fast gaining his best form and is a fine attacking back. Should the Maoris be favoured with the ball from the scrum Hemi is likely to be seriously considered for the North Island team to play the South Island on July 8. One of the most discussed players in Auckland to-day is T. Chase, who has not played a bad game this season and he has played in many positions. His selection at five-eighths will be welcomed, for Chase has talent in this position above the average. It will be interesting to watch his form against K»y and Banham. The Maori forwards are likely to give tlio» Auckland vanguard a lot of opposition. In Ririnui and Broderick the Maori team can boast two line players with strong claims for New Zealand selection. Marsh is another good front-row forward _ whose form for Manukau has been impressive..