RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING GAMES TO-MORROW ATTRACTIONS FOR EDEN PARK The Auckland Rugby Union's senior championship competition for the lit l'l season will lie commenced to-morrow afternoon. The fact that the personnel of tlie teams is at present more or less unknown to them will cause speculation and create interest among followers of the game. The special match at Kden Park last Saturday afternoon between the Papakura Army team and an Auckland fifteen revealed at least two tilings. Firstly, the Army side of last week will be too strong for any club team, hut. of course, it is very problematical as to how long it will be able to retain that or similar strength. Secondly, there was material in the Auckland fifteen for the making of a strong representative side. The players were drawn from several clubs, and, as other former representatives were unable to'lake (he field, there is every indication that the club teams which will be seen in uclion to-morrow will contain a liberal sprinkling of players with experience, in addition to a fair proportion of younger recruits and men from other centres. There will tin two games on the Eden Park Oval. Takapuna, winner of the championship last year, will he opposed by University in the curtain-raiser. The former will bo without sumo of its leading players, but has good junior talent to call upon. The strength of University teams does not vary a great deal from season to season, and they invariably piny a fast and open type of football. A most useful acquisition is L. Simpson, the Otago representative halfback last, year. The three o'clock match will be between Suburbs and Training College, two of the most popular sides last (season. Training College inflicted a heavy defeat, upon Takapuna at the end of the season, and, although it will now be without the services of Day and Colmore-Williams, two outstanding wingers, it will Still field a strong fifteen. The Suburbs side is also re[lorted to be well up to former strength, and in such case a brilliant exhibition should eventuate.

The Army team will play Technical Old Boys on No. '2 ground at :! p.m., and is likely to start off with a win if the team is anywhere near as strong as that which turned out last week. Otahuhn and Grammar will meet on the former's ground at Sturges Park, and the match should provide, a guide as to the future prospects of the teams. Alarist, has a bye, and willf piny Manukau (bye in second division) at Sacred Heart College at 3 p.m. Mr. A. II Vincent being referee. More interest than formerly will attach to the second division matches owing to the presence in that section of the Ponsonby. Grafton and North Shore teams, in addition to fifteens from the two Air Bases.