ARMY RUGBY TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25339, 22 October 1945, Page 7

ARMY RUGBY TEAM

A FORMIDABLE SIDE

ENGLISH CRITICS' OPINIONS (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON. Oct 1» •An excellent press this morning ensures that the New Zealand Army Rugby touring team will be accorded a popular reception wherever it goes. That it will provide a muchneeded fillip for Rugby here—needed after the long drax of the war yearn—seems assured. Arrangement# for "introducing" the team to the public have been well handled, there being, first, curiosity about the trial games at Margate, and then an invitation to the Rugby critics and reporters to see the last trial. This morning, although the final selection of ttie names was not available when the newsi>apent went to press, there were headlines naving: "Tough New Zealand Players Will I'lease Our Crowds," "New Zealand Touring Team Will He Oood," "New Zealanders Promise Well," "Tourists Will He Hard to Beat," 'while other adjectives such af "Formidable" were used. The sides in the (rial were named Cassino" and "Trieste," but neither Saxton nor Finlav played for fear of the hard ground—and the ground in Kent can be very hard after three weeks without rain, in lite three trial games it caused one broken ankle, one broken collarbone and several other injuries. Superior Back Formation Some of the comments are:—F,. H. D. Sewell, the well-known author-crilie-player. in the l)ailv Sketch: "My first view of tlie pick of this New Zealand Army taring side was under the handicap of an unprepared pilch, which I found to be as hard as most roads, but they left me in no doubt that when they play on a real Rugby ground they will be worthy successors id' any of their forebears. Their back formation of a scrum-half, two five-eighths anil three threequarlers always was superior to ours and will again prove to be so in most, if not all. cases." Clifford Webb, in the Daily Herald., says: "I saw enough to forecast with reasonable certainty that the Rugby-going public have several treats in ntore-and should note carefully the dates when this touring team is due in their particular locality. Like all the New Zealand Rugby teams we have seen here, these boys of Freyberg'tf magnificent figbtiiiir Division favour the fast, open type oj play, which calls for clever handling and which in consequence is so entertaining tc watch. Not thai there is any lack of weight in the pack. On the contrary, there are thref or four Hist soldiers who can be called on and I foresee some of Ihe teams they meel being shoved far and fant." Ronald Symoud, in the Daily Mail, savi the team was in fine trim, the forwards wert heavy and strong, the backs fit and fast, am their '/.eal for the game Intense (lerald Walter, in the News Chronicle, salt he believes Ihe New Zealanders will be f formidable side, an adjective which was als< used bv ,1. 11.I 1 . ,lonian, in the Daily Telegraph ilvlton Cleaver, in the Kvening Standard says': "The Nov Zealanders are going to hi a tonic to our Rugby. There in 110 doubt ahou that. Thev do not pretend to reach the stand ard of peacetime .All Blacks, but they wil delight the crowds with their long, accurati passing, speed of thought, strength of tinil and good backing up." Records of the Players The majority of the selected players havi represented some province or other in Nev Zealand, others have played for the Norti .Inland or the South Island, ami some havi gained All Black honours. Their records ar as follows:-- . . . Fullback*. —H. E. Cook, Fourth Divnsiona team in New Zealand, l!)J-\ South Islam lArniy, 11H4, N.Z.K.F. at Maadi last season R. W. H. Scott. M.T.I'. team winner, Aiick land championship, liMii, Northern Militar team, I up.'. M ladi Base, litis. Threequarter*.—J. B. Smith, North Iflmrii

Army, 1943, Base v. .South Africans, 1944; W. A. Meates, Canterbury University, 1943, Canterbury, 1 I; J. R. Sherratt, Wellington and All Black trialist, 1939. Eighth Arm.v v. R.A.F., 191n; K. G. Botftfs. Auckland 194243, North Island and North Island .Army. Hi 13, Third Division Base at New Caledonia. Maadi Base; \V (i. A wis, McKenzie Country. Canterbury. 1911-42. South Island, 1912. Five-eighths.—.T. C. Kearney, Olago, 193941 Canterbury, 1942. North Island Army, 19.18 N.Z.E.F. Base, Fourth Armoured Brigade- H. h. Dobson; North .Island Army. li> I :i. Sixth Firld Regiment, 1944-45: T. Proctor. Whangarei, 1939, '.'lst Battalion. 1 <»I i-i,",; F. R. Allen, Canterbury captain. IRHMI, Thiol Division captain. 1912, North Island Services captain, 19-11, N.Z.K.F- v Rest of F,g,vpt, 1945. 9th Brigade v. I;, ieh til Army; A. M. King, Wellington, Divisional Artillery in Egypt and Italy. Halfbacks. —0. K. Sax lon (captain). Ronth •Canterbury, Otago. Southland, South Island. Ml Blacks in Australia, 1938, numerous Army fifteens; W. S. F.Uwards, Auckland Garrison", 1941, Advanced Base, 1944. Forwards.—.T. Finlay (vice-captain), Wellington, South Island Army. 1«40, N.Z.E.5. captain, 1941-42; N. H ; Thornton, land University, 1939. King Conn ry J ! *' ( i 41; J. MacT.ean, Tarauakl, 19.{(i-.°.9. All Black trialist, 1939, N.'/E.F. v. South Africa. 1941; S. W. Woolley, Marlborough, 1939-42; S. L. Young, Wellington. North Island Army. 1943, Eighth Army. 191".; A. W. Blake. Wairarapa, Nelson. North Island Army; j*. B. Nelson, North Island Army; K. D. Arnold. Taranaki; .1. G. Simpson Manawatu. }; • Maadi, 1944; F. M. Haigh We! 1 intrlon 15»1243; ,T. O. Bond. Canterbury. J 910-43; R I>. Johnstone, South .Auckland. N.Z.E.F.. 1913; P. K. Rhind, Canterbury, All Black trialist, 1939, N.Z.R.F. 1910; N. J.MrPini. Canterbury, 193.V39. All Black trialist 1939. N.Z.E.F., 1910; D. S. Bell, Wairoa. 1041. ENGLISH TEAM IN FRANCE (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) PARTS, Oct. 21 The Rosslvn Park team, the first, English Riigbv side to visit France since the war. beat Slade Francais by 6 points to 3.

THE LEAGUE CODE 3 CLOSING OF THE SEASON SUCCESS FOR NORTH SHORE The champion of champions' match which concluded the Auckland Rugby Leslie s season on Saturday afternoon was won l»y North Shore, which defeated otaliuliu by IS points to Jit. There was a large attendance at Carlaw l'ark and the same provided many exciting incidents. At one stage North Shore had a ten-point lead, but, in the last 15 minutes Utahnhu made a great recovery, and was actually a little unlucky not to win. North Shore scored all its points in the first spell. North Shore will receive the Storniont Shield, and a set of medals presented to each player by the family of the late William Storniont. .. , ... , The playing conditions were ideal, although a strong wind favoured North Shore in the first spell. C. S. Petersen, the welt-knowu representative and Army forward, recently returned from overseas, assisted North Shore, (.'lark broke away and Chatham, Smith and j Head handed before the latter scored a good try for North Shore. The Otahuhu forwards put in some effective work in the loose and J. Johnson scored a try. The advantage was with the North Shore backs and, from a wellplaced kick, Chatham scored. The combination of the North Shore hacks stave Clark a trv. and the score at half-time favoured North Shore by l. r > points to 5. The second spell was in favour of Otahuhu, which outplayed the opposition. Speedy raced through, and Riley heat the defence for pace to score. The forward play was rushed, ami an Otahuhu forward was ordered oft at a stage when the game was sroingr against North Shore In a great rally, in which good positional play was a feature, Kent gained ground and passed to Simons and Kognrty, the lastnamed scoring a fine try. The crowd gathered round the goal-posts in expectation of the kick making it a drawn name, but Rue.v lust ""on'the run of play, Otahuhu held a decided territorial advantage, tint its backs failed to take the same advantage as North Shore did of the gnstv wind Smith played well in the first si>eil at fullback for Norm Shore, but later his form was not so consistent Chatham, second five-eighths, was the best of the backs and he made many clever openings Clark was solid and his defence twice waved tries. Stirling, at halfback, was a tower of strength, while Scott at centre. was ni#o prominent. Among" th« forwards. Petersen was aiwavs dangerous, and i nomas put in several spectacular runs which aroused some excitement. Kield also played a splendid Otaliuliu, the wings. Keat and Simons, stood out. Kiley kicked well and n one or his efforts, from near halfway, the bah Int, a post Fogarty and J. Johnson played well among a fine set of forwards, who more than '"*The''scorers' were:—North Shore 16 (tries by Read, Chatham and Clark, Smith converting two and kicking a penalty goal): Otahuhu, t:-$ (tries by J. Johnson, Ril.e.y. aud Fogarty, Riley converting one and kicking a '""'rhe^final"of the Phelan Shield was won by Ponsonbv, which was fully extended to defeat City The latter made a splendid recovery after being II points behind late in the second spell. Scorers: —I'onsonby, IS (tries by Norton, Nordgren. Hartlwick and Hughes, Nordgreii converting two tries and kicking a penalty goal); City, 15 (tries by Hod mail 2 and Masters, Lonergan converting two and Suva kicking a penalty goal). SOCCER CHAMPION PHILOMEL TEAM'S VICTORY The Soccer season was closed on Saturday with the champion of champions match between Philomel and North Shore at Blandford Park Philomel avenged its defeat by North Shore in the Falcon Cup match the iirevious week, to make the final game a decisive victory, 4—l. North Shore had two juniors playing in the first spell, but they did well, while Philomel lost Swann and played ten men for a considerable period of the first ' \ll the scoring was done before the interval. Using the high wind to advantage, Philomel kept its forward line up, and. with the North Shore backs falling back on their goalkeeper, he had little chance of sighting the shots that beat him. There were some exciting moments, hut the defence of both sides was sound. In the second spell Pljilomel packed its goal and indulged in spasmodic raiding, but, nevertheless, the North Shore forwards failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities. Swann (2), Gisb.v and a defender scored for Philomel, and Richards netted for North Shore. Owing to injuries in the* Philomel team, the Munro Services Challenge Cup match against Wbenuapai. tentatively arranged for Blandford Park today. hj« been cancelled.