UNIVERSITY RUGBY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 5

UNIVERSITY RUGBY

VISIT OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM MATCHES IN DUNEDIN The Australian university Rugby representatives who will play two matches in Dunedin next week against Otago University on Wednesday, and a New Zealand university team in the second test on Saturday; are, according to the Sydney Telegraph, more experienced than most of the teams that preceded them. Neville Emery, the captain, is a Wallaby five-eighth, who played in five international matches for Australia in Great Britain last year. He also reoresented the Commonwealth in the second test against the All Blacks at Sydney a couple of seasons ago. Discussing Sydney university players, the Telegraph says that Dick Taylor, who is 6ft sin tall, will prove a worthy substitute in lineout for Joe Kraefft, with whom in club football he has been unbeatable. Taylor, a former Grammar School boy, achieved some success as a high jumper, and shot putter at school. He is 22 and weighs 14 stone. David Brockhoff, the 20-year-old breakaway, is already being hailed as Colin YVindon’s successor. He is a second year medical student, fast, with a keen sense of anticipation, and a prolific try-getter. John Solomon, 20, outplayed TrevorAlien In the recent North Harbour versus South Harbour match. A great apportunist. he may visit New Zealand later with the'Wallabies. Barney Walsh, nuggety half-back, has played more than 100 games with various club sides. He is one of Sydney’s most prominent post-war players. . Bill Wileman, the fullback, is second string to Brian Piper in New South Wales. He is a useful goal kick. Winger Garner, tall and rangy, lacks polish at present, but he has any amount of toe, and should develop on the tour. A last-minute selection was R. Tooth, a utility player, who fills the vacancy that arose throughfthe defection of the crack centre, Jack Bromley. Tooth can play either as a breakaway, lock, or centre. He has been included as a five-eighth. He weighs 13 stone, is 6ft tall, and is a second grade player. The last visit to this country was made in 1933, when the New Zealand representatives were much superior. University football at that time was very good in New Zealand. This year’s visiting side will be more mature than the 1933 team because of the inclusion of several exservicemen. Two of the forwards, ,R. Ellwood (Queensland) and C. Petherbridge (New South Wales) are 26. The former served with the RAAF and Petherbridge with the navy. Wileman, the fulback. is 26, and former fighter pilot, and Walsh. 28, and V. Carroll, 26, are both ex-AIF men. It is interesting to note that H. Dunn, reserve for last season’s State side, is Queensland's 1949 Rhodes Scholar. Sydney University appealed for funds in order to finance the trin. Unless about £3OO can be raised, the New Zealand visit will cost the nlayers about £SO. The Australian universities’ team defeated the Combined Victoria-Massev College team at Wellington on Wednesday, and will meet New Zealand in the first test at Wellington to-day.