STRENGTH IN THE NORTH

NZ Truth, Issue 1272, 17 April 1930, Page 16

STRENGTH IN THE NORTH

Auckland Clubs Have Hopes of Boom Season

WHICH IS HEAZLEWOOD'S CLUB?

(From "N.Z. Truth's"' Special Auckland Kepresentative.) : The question of, what full-backs are to turn out m Auckland this season is occupying a prominent place m Bugby talk at present. To some changes seem to be brewing.

UPPERMOST m the minds of support- i ers of the Manukau Club is the rumor that All Black Heazlewood, of Wellington, will add to their strength. And Wellington may play an important part if some rumors are true, for already it is said that two others from the south will take part m Auckland Rugby. The College Rifles Club has an eye oh Pickering, of Berhampore, and City already counts Whitehead, another "Wellington player, among its fold. Although College Rifles and City seem to have good reason to look forward to obtaining this new blood, Manukau may have their hopes dashed, for Heazlewood may- disappoint them. Hawkes Bay may add its quota of strength to Auckland, too, for Marist players are looking forward to seeing Curtayne from that, province. The losses this season threaten tobe rather heavy, and College Rifles will probably suffer the most m losing Wilson, Gillespie Stewart and Foggarty. The club is compensated only by the probable catch of Pickering. Ponsonby, however, sustains the greatest loss m McWilliams, who has gone to Hamilton. Hailed as one of the greatest forwards of the N.Z. team m SouthAfrica, his departure will be felt consider -

ably by Auckland's star club. The back line

interesting to ■ see how his application for reinstatement is treated. City.* is setting its hopes on strength, and already some important changes are whispered. If they prove true, City should benefit considerably. A. Finlayson, the

rep. forward, Mackay and Ruru, all of Grafton, are among those mentioned as earmarked for City. If the writing on the sands can be accepted, then Grammar, despite the loss of Cathcart and R. Schnauer. ■will be prominent m the fight for the 1930 championship. The excellent . pack has received something of a jolt. but it is

thought that A. Knignt will not be long absent, and L. Knight, Potter and the brothers Batty are expected to be there when the white forwards pack. With Greville expected to return to his old club and help fill the- forward gaps, and Weir, of Training College; strengthening the inside backs, Grafton should be able to fight as of old and fear little. One of New Zealand's best halves. Corner, will be behind this .promising pack, and will once more be backed up by Bell, Mathieson, Menzies^ and Lewis. . Generally, the star clubs will again be strong, and the season promises a battle royal for honors.

may also be without R. Hook, who, it is said, intends to rest his knee this season. The club now needs • only the threatened retirement of Palmer, the AM Black hooker.'to complete the disappointment. Com p c n saation may come, however, with the arrival of Liddle from the Grafton Club to take Hook's place, and captain Fred Lucas will

still be with them. It is expected that full-back Bush (Varsity), .and Butler (Training College), will change places. Another of the last line of defence who Is as yet an uncertainty, is D. Keane, of Technical Old Boys. J Both League and Rugby fans are interested m Berridge's endeavor to leave the ranks of League, which he joined last season, and his mooted return to the City club. , . . 'v. . . This club is as anxious to have him back as he is to return, and it will be