THE SHIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26532, 6 August 1947, Page 6

THE SHIELD

A STRONG TEAM NORTH AUCKLAND SIDE ARRIVAL AT DUNEDIN The North Auckland Rugby football team, Otago’s first challengers for the Ranfurly Shield, arrived in Dunedin by the 4.18 p.m. express yesterday. They were met at the station by Mr A. H. Cameron, immediate past president of the Otago Rugby Unipn, acting on behalf of the president, Mr R. W. S. Botting, who was indisposed, the secretary, Mr E. S. Wilson, and officials of the union, including Mr C. K. Saxton. The Northland party consisted of 22 players, but the former Otago halfback, Dr M. N. Paewai, who is now in a medical practice at Kaikohe, will not arrive until to-morrow, travelling by air from Auckland. The manager is Mr R. G. Murdoch, president of the North Auckland Rugby Union, and also included in the party are Messrs A. Sowman (North Auckland sole selector), and I. Finlayson, the former All Black forward, who is coach of the side. Boom in Rugby Supporters of the North Auckland team emphasise that Rugby in the far north is on the crest of a wave and that there has been remarkable enthusiasm for the game ever since the war. This enthusiasm is reflected in North Auckland’s fine record in the past two seasons during which it scored wins against Australia and Auckland. The manager, Mr Murdoch, has been a member of the North Auckland Union for the past 20 years, and in an interview with the Daily Times last night he said that his side could be depended on to play good, open football. “We are fortunate to have the Kiwi players Johnny Smith, Stan Young and Ike Proctor, as well -as Peter Smith and Paewai, who will open up the game on every possible occasion,” Mr Murdoch said. “We think we have a set of backs second to none in the Dominion, and regard the team as the best we have ever had in North Auckland.” Mr Murdoch referred to the widelyscattered nature of the North Auckland Union, which extended from Rodney, in the south, to the North Cape. Some members of the team had not previously played against one another. Mr Murdoch remarked that it was quite common for teams in the far north to travel 30 or 40 miles to, play their Saturday matches, the expenses being borne either by the clubs or players. Details of Players The sole selector, Mr Sowman, told the Daily Times that most of the sub-unions in the North Auckland Union were represented in the touring team. The players had had a couple of practices after assembly some 10 days ago, and had played a trial match on the Wednesday before the Auckland game on Saturday. The match at Auckland was their first together, and the team had played splendid football. The forwards average about 14 stone. S. L. Young, the vice-captain, did not play against Auckland as he developed tonsilitis before the match, but will play against Otago. W. Mathieson, a forward weighing 15st 71b, did not play against Auckland, but may be included in the team for Saturday. Before going overseas Young represented WeDington, and he played for New Zealand Army in 1943. Glen Hook, the challenger's fullback, has been in North Auckland for the last three years and before that played for Auckland and'Wanganui. N. P. Cherrington, one of the wings, is described as a fast and weighty player, and in the Auckland match on Saturday created a very favourable impression. He was a member of the North Auckland team last year, but dislocated his shoulder against Auckland after 25 minutes’ play. G. Cunningham, another wing three-quarter, who represented North Auckland before the war and also

played for the North Island Minor Unions, ha 9 retained his form well. Captain of the touring team is the Kiwi and All Black centre threequarter, J. B. Smith, who has lost none of his brilliance. Smith showed against Auckland that he is almost at the peak of his form and he combined splendidly with his brother, P. Smith, also a member of the All Black team in Australia. I. Proctor, at first fiveeighth, has been playing very solidly. J. W. Isaacs, a tall, fast and clever forward. C. Stirling, a solid lock, I. L. Fraser, a highly promising young lock forward, S. A. White, S. O. Pausina. and R. N. Codling have' represented North Auckland previously while P. Smith, Proctor, Stirling and Isaacs played for the New Zealand Maori fifteen in two matches last season. The newcomers to the side are K. Werner. C. Mcßae. P. Grove, S. Jurisich, J. Te Baara, and K. Rika, most of whom are in their early twenties. The North Auckland players are staying at the Gridiron Hotel. They will train at Carisbrook this afternoon and to-morrow morning. This morning they will be taken for a motor drive round the city. The team will leave for Invercargill on Monday, will play Southland next Wednesday, and will return north on the following day.