Otago’s Prospects for Ranfurly Shield Defence

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26775, 19 May 1948, Page 2

Otago’s Prospects for Ranfurly Shield Defence

Sports Commentary

By the Sports Editor

The first defence of the Ranfurly Shield is now only two months away, the match against South Canterbury being set down for July 24, and already speculation is rife as to the possible composition of the Otago team. The loss of R. R. Elvidge is a severe one, but otherwise the indications are that Mr V. G. Cavanagh, jun, should have equally as good material to work upon as that which he moulded into such a powerful combination last year.

It is too early yet to make any dogmatic pronouncement concerning the probable personnel of the side, but on the face of things, it appears as though the metropolitan area will provide the majority of the backline and that the selectors will have to look once again to the country for most of their representative forwards The shield-holders are fortunate in being able to call upon two full-backs of the calibre of either G. J. Moore or R. Orr. both members of the team last year—Moore as a three-quarter and Orr as a full-back. Moore, now playing as last line for University A, has one advantage over Orr in that he kicks equally well with both feet and is a particularly deadly tackier, but competition for their position is bound to be keen. Reports indicate that one or two country players may also be in the running. I. J. Botting would appear to be a certainty as one of the wing threequarters, and if the former Canterbury and Kiwi player, W. A. Meates, turns out at Ranfurly when he takes

up his appointment there, the selectors may decide to play him on the wing. He was equally at home at centre or wing with the Kiwis in Britain. Other promising wings who have been seen in the city area are Colin Moore, a younger brother of the Ranfurly Shield player, A. Howley, M. McKerchar, and C C. Foley. Howley and McKercher have previously played for Otago. J. M. Tanner, one of the most constructive players in the Dominion, was outstanding at centre last season, arid he appears to be the logical choice again this season, with J. Graham, the clever little Southland player, as a worthy substitute. Even without R. R. Elvidge, the province should be well served in the five-eighths’ line with such players as J. C. Kearney, W. I. Perriam, T. Lynch. R. Waldron, and J. Fitzgerald to choose from. Perriam was injured last season, but has made a good recovery, and fit and well would receive serious consideration.

Lynch has great possibilities, possessing thrust and powerful drive, but he still has to overcome the impetuosity of youth in wanting to play the opposing side by himself. With a little more judgment in his play, this youngster may yet prove torbe Elvidge’s successor.

L. Woodhouse and A. L. Mclndoe will probably dispute selection for the half-back position as they did last year. Woodhouse, however, has shown the more consistent form to date, and a repetition of last year’s displays must bring him into line for higher honours. The forthcoming sub-union trials and matches between Metropolitan and Country will shed their light on the forwards available for selection, but at the moment it does not seem that the pack will be very different from that fielded last year, although it is possible that several new candidates from the country will be included. P. Johnstone, recognised as one of the best front-row forwards in the Dominion last year,’should be out again in a few weeks after recovery from his collarbone injury, and he and Kevin Skinner, both potential All Blacks, are the most likely for i'ne outside positions in the front-row, with A. H. Foster, now in South Otago, as the hooker. Other front-rankers who are likely to come into the reckoning are D. Armitage, the promising country player who toured with the Otago team last year, C. Todd, the skilful Dunedin hooker, the ever-dependable T. Wallace, and N. Wilson, of Zingari-Richmond. The middle-row may again consist of D. Hamilton, C. Willocks, L. R. Harvey, and J. McNab, all country players, but

A. E. Hellyer, W. Drake, and D. Sapsford may also force themselves into consideration. K. J. O’Connor, one of the strongest candidates for selection in the All Black team for South Africa, should have little opposition for his place at the back of the scrum. There are bound to be others in the final reckoning, and matches during the next few weeks should be full of interest to players and supporters of the game throughout Otago. Century in Rugby A great Rugby score was put up by Northland College (Kaikohe), in the Bay of Islands Sub-union junior competition recently when the team beat Mataraua by 120 points to 3. On the previous Saturday, the College team beat Kaikohe by 48 to nil, and earlier it defeated Whangarei Boys’ High School by 30 points to 5. This is only the second season for the College, but the team has had the advantage of coaching from M. N. Paewai and J. B. and P. Smith. The team is predominantly Maori, and the backs are particularly fast and skilful. The previous record score in Northland was also put up on the Kaikohe ground about 25 years ago when Kaikohe. beat the Eastern Hokianga representatives by 88 to uil. Speedway Career Followers of midget car racing will have noticed in the cable news last week that the New Zealander, Frank Brewer, won the first race on the firs! night of the introduction of this class of racing to London. Brewer was one of the enthusiasts who earned for the sport great popularity at Auckland's Western Springs speedway in the years before the war. After operating a large transport concern in Auckland, he entered the same business in Los Angeles some years ago. Probably his main reason for going to the United States, however, was the attraction of the speed tracks there. He proved himself to be in world class when he won the famous Indianapolis 500, the Grand Prix, as it were, of the American speedway. All the other drivers competing in the London race were Americans, and it was likely that Brewer went to England as a member of an American team. He returned to New Zealand for a while last year, bringing with him one of the latest in midget cars, which he raced at Western Springs. National Billiards Title The New Zealand Amateur Billiards Championship tournament will be held at the Otago Billiards Association rooms at Cargill’s Corner, commencing on August 30. It is expected that the defending champion, C. Peek, of Wellington, who has also been runner-up on several occasions, will defend his title, while J. J. Shepherd, of Auckland a previous title holder and runner-up last year, may make another bid for honours. It is hoped that the competitors will also include Rupert Carrick, of Auckland, four times previously winner of the title, and W. Smith, of Christchurch, who made a record break at last year’s tournament. Canterbury is deferring its claim to the championship this year and in return Otago will forgo the tournament in favour of Canterbury in 1950, which is Canterbury’s centennial year. Interisland Golf “In view of the possibility of a New Zealand team being sent to Australia. I would like to see a North versus South Island match played, preferably at Shirley,’’ said Mr A. R. Blank, captain of the Canterbury golf team, at a welcome extended to the Otago team at the Christchurch Golf Club’s links on Sunday. Mr Blank said there seemed to be an idea that all the good golfers lived in the North Island, but the golf played at Shirley would not be excelled in any part of New Zealand. If his suggestions were acted upon a great opportunity would be offered the selectors to pick a truly representative team, and Shirley was the place for a proper test. Competition Keen Keen competition in the women’s A2 Grade hockey competition is assured again this season. Otago, Kings and Momona Clubs have teams in this competition, consisting of some older players with a leavening of really promising young talent. University B is likely again to prove a strong combination, whilst welcome additions are provided by teams from Otago Girls’ High School and St. Hilda’s Collegiate School. Matches in this grade are played in a fine spirit, in which enjoyment of the game counts for more than championship honours.