RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23434, 25 August 1939, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE PLAY AUCKLAND AND OTAGO % EDEN PARK GAME TO-MORROW THREE CHANGES IN HOME SIDE i Another Rugby' team which visits Auckland but once in every four years, the Otago representatives, will be seen in action against Auckland at Eden Park to-morrow. The Otago players arrived from Whangarei last evening and will train this morning. The Auckland team has played six matches this season, winning three, against Waikato twice and against Hawke's Bay. The match against Taranaki at New Plymouth last week was drawn, while Auckland lost to North Auckland at Whangarei and to Canterbury on Wednesday.

In an endeavour to obtain forwards which will hack up and support one another better in tho looso rucks and on tho line-outs, the sole selector, Mr. F. W. Lucas, has made thrco changes in tho Auckland vanguard. Tho front, row,is .the same as that in the match against Canterbury, but in tho sccojid row are newcomers in H. Priest, of Otahuhu, and W. Smith, of Manukau, while D. Bailey, captain of tho Marist senior team, is in the back row. Tho back lino remains intact, with the exception that D. Brady, who was injured in tho match with Hawke's Bay and. was unablo to play against Taranaki and Canterbury, returns to the team as second fiveeighths. Although D. M. In Martin's name appears in tho threeciuarters, it is .doubtful whether he will take tho field on account of an injury. W. McGrory and C. Brown aro unable to play as they are injured, whilo R. R. Hull is suffering from influenza. The Otago team arrived from "Whangarei last evening after a tiring journey. It. scored an impressive win over North Auckland and is confident of doing well to-morrow. The southern team contains some well-known players. The captain is N. A. Mitchell, who is a brilliant back. Not many northerners have seen him at his best and so his pcp formanco on thi3 occasion will I be watched with particular interest. Another visitor whose name.is almost a household word in New Zealand Rugby is D. Trevathan, one of the most prolific and most consistent scorers in the gamo during the past few seasons. Ho is an accurate kick, both place and in dropping from' the field. jr.: . The majority of the Otago backs have either represented New Zealand, .the South Island or New Zealand Universities. Otago forwards have always been noted for their ability to uso their feet well and this team is likely to uphold tradition, seeing that it contains a liberal sprinkling, of players with experience in big football. Following aro the teams: —

AUCKLAND Fullback.—W. Hare (Uarist). Tkreeciuarters. —J. Dick (Grafton), D. M. L. Martin (University), J. Molloy (Marist), L. Schnliert (Grafton). One to he omitted. • Five-eighths.—N. Pearman (Grafton), D. Brady (Suburbs). Halfback.—F. Cooney (Marist). Forwards.—,T. Gilmore (Grammar), C. Pepper (Manukau), A. Moffitt (Marist), H. F. MoLean (Grafton), H. Priest (Otahubu), W. N. Carson (Ponsonby), W. Smith (Manukau), D. Bailey (Marist).

Emergencies.—Backs: J. Pilo (Training College), L. Curtayno (Marist). Forwards: ■R. Anderson (Grafton), T: H. Pearco (Grafton). • 'OTAGO Fullback.—R. Silver.

Threequarters.—W. A. Black, N. A. Mitchell (captain), D. Murray. Five-eighths.—W. I. Perriain, D. Trevathan. Halfback. —L. H. Simpson. . Front Row.—J. Walker, C. Quaid, P.

Treacey. Second Row. —R. Neiper, L. Hill, W. Jolly, W. McClelland. Back Row. —L. Naylor. Emergencies.—Backs: B. A. Taylor, J. Kearney. Forwards: J. Barron, T. Graham. THE FIJIAN TEAM PRACTICE YESTERDAY OLD-TIME SCRUM FORMATION Tho Fijian Rugby team, which won tho opening match of its New Zealand tour on Wednesday against the Bay of Plenty Maoris, arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon and will go on to Whangarei this morning. Tho visitors will play the North Auckland representative side to-morrow afternoon. Tho Fijians practised at Eden Park yesterday afternoon and their physique and handling ability impressed those who were privileged to see them. .

The forwards packed the old-time New Zealand scrum formation of two—three—two coached by the manager, Mr. J. B. K. Taylor. The tourists entered into the spirit of tho practice with remarkable enthusiasm. They are very fit and carry no surplus condition. The heaviest forward is over 15 stone and is a splendid physical specimen. Tho handling of the backs was an object lesson. On a dry ground this team may be defeated through lack of experience, but it should provide splendid entertainment for the spectators. Mr. Taylor said that the Pijians were greatly delighted at their win at Rotorua. This match was played in pouring rain and Mr. Taylor thought that the margin of points in tho. team's favour would have been greater had the conditions been dry. ~ Tho Fijian team will return to Auckland on Monday and play its third match of the tour against King Country at Taumarunui on Wednesday and then return to Auckland to meet tho local representatives at. Eden Park to-morrow week. Mr. H. Frost, president Of the Auckland Rugby Union, will accompany the team to Whangarei and Taumarunui and back to Auckland as the New Zealand Rugby Union's.official representative. .

KOHN SHIELD COMPETITION TRANSPORT TEAM'S DEPARTURE Forty members of the Auckland Transport Rugby Football Club, who will be taking part in, tho Kohn Shield competition to be held .it Duncdin on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday of next week, will leavo by train this afternoon for Wellington. Tho team will arrivo at Dunedin on Monday and will bo back in Auckland on Sunday week. Tho Otago authorities have gono to great pains to arrango a comprohensivo prograiumo of entertainment, and it is confidently expected that the competition will be a big success. Mr. W. Madigan is tho manager of tho Auckland team. ROLLER MILLS SHIELD KEEN GAMES AT HAMILTON [from our owx correspoxdext] HAMILTON, Thursday Keen football was witnessed at Rugby Park to-day, when tho Roller Mills primary schools" Rugby competition was continued. Tho final game was to be played 'to-morrow, but, as two teams in each section have scored equal points, a play-oft will bo necessary. Tho deciding match will bo played on Saturday. Showing greatly improved form, the Waikati team dofeated Auckland East and will contest tho final in tho B section with South Auckland, which drew with Thames Valley nfter an even game. Tho game between tho two leaders in tho A section, Auckland North and Auckland Central, rosultcd in a draw, so that a play off will be necessary. In tho A section. Auckland Central and Auckland North have gained five points, with Waipa third with two points. Waikato and South Auckland, leaders in the B section, have four points each, while Auckland East and Thames Valley each liavo two points. Dotails of results are. as follows: A Section.—Auckland North, 11. Hamilton substitute team, 0; Waipa. .17, Hamilton substitute team. :i; Auckland North, O.Auckland Central, 0." B Section. —Waikato,- 3, Thames ValleS", 0; Thames Valley. (1, South Auckland, 0; Wnikato, .11, Auckland East. 6.

TE AROHA REPRESENTATIVES [ii y m.KOHAi'if—own connnspoxnuxr] TE AROHA, Thursday

The To Aroha senior Rugby representatives to play Cambridge at Cambridge on Saturday are:—Hill, Baker, Johnson, Mortimer, Gibson, Clarke, Farrell, Kneebone, McGlashan, Rowe, McLeod. Dwight, Douglas, Hagerty, Parton, Strange, Riddell, Wilson. Barbarich, Robertson.