THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23390, 5 July 1939, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

TRIAL FIXTURES SOME SURPRISE SELECTIONS YOUNG NORTH ISLAND WINGMEN Interest in the selection of the New Zealand team to tour .England and France has boon quickened by the announcement of the personnel of the sides for tho trial matches at Car law Park on Saturday. Tho annual interisland match and a game between a Possibles and Probables team should give the selectors, Messrs. T. A. McClymont (Auckland), J. A. Redwood (Auckland), and J. Amos (Canterbury), great assistance in making the final selection. The North Island selectors, Messrs. McClymont, H. Brisbane (Auckland), and G. Hooker (Taranaki), who were responsible for the selection of the local and. other North Island players, have made some surprise selections, although a pleasing feature is that a number of young players have been given a chance. The inclusion of R. Nurse and L. Mills on tho wings will give rise to criticism. Mills, however, has shown splendid form and has speed and the ability to beat the defence by clever swerving. However, he, like Nurse, has been given a heavy responsibility as a young player, and it "will be interesting to see how they react to the test. Many enthusiasts, however, would have preferred T. Chase to either of tho North Island wings. Chase has been tho most consistent back in Auckland this season and excels on defence. He can play well in any position. Chase will get his chance, however, in tho curtain-raiser, and has only to maintain his form to have an outstanding chance of selection in the Now Zealand team. Hardgrave, who has been selected in the Probables team, has shown fairly good club form, and has plenty of English experience, but a younger player would have been preferred, seeing that Hardgrave is not likely to improve.

NOTABLE OMISSIONS LEADING AUCKLAND FORWARDS Tho greatest surprises are the omission of the two Auckland forwards, J. Brodrick (Manukau) and C. Petersen (Ponsonby). and the preference of P. Stanaway (Wellington) to G. Mitchell (Richmond) as the back-row forward in the North Island team. Botli Brodrick and Petersen have been playing outstanding football, and yet are not included among 24 forwards chosen. Petersen is a specialist in third-row forward play, as is Mitchell, who was looked upon as a certainty for the North Island team. Mitchell has been chosen in the Possibles team, but as a second-row forward. E. Morgan, who plays in tho second row for Ponsonby, has been chosen as a third-row forward. As regards hookers, H. Flanagan must be considered unlucky not to have been included in any of the three teams. He has beaten all the local hookers this season, and has a much superior style of heeling. ,1. Brooks (Huntly) played a splendid rame in Wellington last Saturday, and is deserving of his place in the North Island team. The North Island backs will show plcnty of speed should the forwards be successful in winning the ball from set serums. It was confidently expected that D. Solomon would gain a place as one of the five-eighths. Tho placing of Walker behind the scrum may cause some surprise, but he is a most consistent halfback and reveals more varietv on attack than either Mahima

or Brimhle. With W. Tittleton at centre to feed A. Kay and Nurse on the wings, the South Island threequarters should be overshadowed as regards speed. G. Nepia evidently was not considered for the fullback position. It is understood that Nepia was available. J. Hemi has been preferred in the North Island team to J. Smith, who will plav for the Possibles. It is likely that two fullbacks will be taken, and both Hemi and Smith may find their way into the New Zealand team, although C. Mountford (West Coast) may strengthen bis claims on Saturday. Hemi is a splendid utility player and has played in many positions in representative football.

PROMISING TALENT SUCCESSFUL WELLINGTON TRIAL It is pleasing to see so many players from outside leagues given a chance. The recent trial match between Wellington and South Auckland proved a success, and six players who took part in that game have been selected for Saturday. Among the forwards who made a good impression were G. Beadle (South Auckland) and P. Stanaway (Wellington), both of whom are in tho North Island team. Beadle is a great worker in the loose and is always dangerous near the lino. Stanaway, formerly a centre-thrcequarter, has developed into a fine forward, and his form will be watched with interest. J. Cootes, the Wellington and New Zealand representative forward, is playing as well as ever, and is in the Probables team's front row, along with J. MeLeod and T. Leatherbarrow. H. Eadie, a Wellington wing threequarter, is fast and often beats the defence with a smart side-step. With reasonable opportunities, Eadie is likely to earn a further trial next Tuesday. No player, however, impressed more at Wellington than T. gii aw, the South Auckland fullback, whose ability to open up tho game for tho threequarters was a feature of tho match. He never once missed the greasy ball, and repeatedly beat the defence with tricky running. Shaw has a promising future and it would occasion no surprise to see his inclusion in the New Zealand team. The selection of tho forwards must have caused tho selectors considerable concern, but generally the best talent has been chosen. The final selection is going to be by no means easy. Only perfectly fit players should be considered and those possessing the best physical requirements, in view of the oxaeting nature of the tour.