WELL-BALANCED COMBINATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27384, 9 May 1950, Page 4

WELL-BALANCED COMBINATION

Sports Commentary

Otago Team To Meet British Touring Side

By the Sports Editor The early matches of the British Isles Rugby team’s tour are expected to provide thorough tests of the touring side’s capabilities. The first match against the Combined Nelson-Marlborough-Golden BayMotueka team may not afford the British players such strong opposition as they will encounter in the succeeding games against Buller (Seddon Shield holders) and West Coast, who drew, 19—all, on Saturday. By the time the British team reaches Dunedin next week, however, the players should be fully “blooded,” and it can be takdn for granted that they will regard the match against Otago, holders of the Ranfurly Shield, as a full-dress rehearsal for the First Test match on the following Saturday, May 27. The team which has been announced to represent Otago is practically an international side, and no stronger team combination is likely to be encountered by the British players in any of their matches, Test games included. The result will be awaited with interest by Rugby followers everywhere as it should afford some clue to the possibilities of the British side in the Test match rubber.

The selection of the Otago team is according to pattern and the choice is one that appears difficult to„ improve upon. Neither D. R. Wightman nor J. Fitzgerald, who would probably have been considered for the centre three-quarter berth, was available, and of the 15 players named 11 have worn the New Zealand livery. Eight of them were in South Africa last year—W. A. Meates, R. R. Elvidge, R. A. Dalton. N. L. Wilson, K. L. Skinner. J. R. McNab, L. R. Harvey and P. A. Johnstone —and three others, in G. J. T. Moore, H. W. Wilson and W. A. Lunn. played for New Zealand against Australia. The pack offers the British side the most formidable proposition it is likely to encounter in the Dominion. Every forward is an international. With the exception of Lunn, who was the “ find ” of last season, all were members of the famous Otago combination of 1948, and what is more to the point, they have been showing first-class form this season. Indeed, last year’s All Black vice-captain, Dalton, seems to be playing as well now as at any stage of his career, and his leadership has been the feature of the Pirates forward play, just as has that of Johnstone for Taieri and N. L. Wilson for Zingari-Richmond. The scrum is a heavy one, noted fpr rucking ability and line-out play in which Lunn and Harvey should excel. H. W. Wilson, a front-row in the New Zealand team against Australia, will be at home in the lock position, as he has played there with Harvey previously. The forwards should not lack mobility, and with Otago's scrummaging ability to contend with, the British “wing” forwards will not be given the latitude they might enjoy against less formidable packs.

Brilliant Goal-keeping W. Watson, goal-keeper for University against Mornington, gave one of the most polished displays seen at the Caledonian Ground for some time. His anticipation was unusual in a player new to Soccer, and when he was forced to go the other way, his full length screw dives at the most difficult saving height of about two feet were remarkable, and in line with the performances of many well-known overseas custodians. If Watson can maintain this form the selectors are sure to have a look at him. Table Tennis The table tennis season began last week. The match between Railway and University provided some excellent displays. J. liuddart was unbeaten in the Railway team, and D. Wright (University) played well to take a game from W. J. Fogarty. W. Glass, a former New Zealand junior champion, showed that with more match practice he will be an acquisition to University. B. Downe showed a return to form in the match between Kensington and Excelsior, and J. Anderson defeated L. Mussen 31—-29. P. Quinn. Alan and Albert Kwok shaped well in the match between the two Aotea teams. A. Kitchen sometimes shows brilliance, but is inclined to be erratic. Junior players who were undefeated in their games were: D. Kwun. R. Johnston, N. Williams. J. Denniston. and V. Isbister (Aotea), P. Miller (Police), A. Crowe and I. Dawson (North-East Valley). A. Williams "and R. Veitch (Kaikorai), I. Anderson and K. Waldron (St. Pat’s), J: Meager (YMCA), F. Morrison, A. Lyons and D. Mahoney (RSA>, D. Fogarty. V. Rattray, and N. Goff (Railway), G. Henderson (Woodies), F. Blackie (East Taieri). H. Louden (Kensington). M. Dunn (Wrens), and J. Grant (YWCA)

Colin Moore, who has been playing as a wing three-quarter, now goes in at centre, and from his promising display in that position on Saturday he should fill the bill against, the British team. He may be counted unlucky to have been passed over for All Black nomination as a wing three-quarter, however, as this young University player impresses as one of the most dangerous scoring men seen in Dunedin for some time. All the forwards were nominated for the All Black trials and only C. Moore and A. R. Haig missed nomination among the backs. The latter goes into the Otago team behind the scrum and is the most experienced man for the position. He gave a good display for Dunedin against Pirates last Saturday and with the understanding that should develop between him and his brother. L. S. Haig. Otago should be well served close to the scrum. The latter was one of the stars of Otago’s 1948 team, and reports of his play for Crescent against Clutha last week are that he was in fine foi-m. Elvidge will play at second fiveeighth, where he has given manf outstanding displays in the past, and with this famous All Black and C. Moore together in the centre, the Otago attack should not lack penetration. Meates is unquestionably one of the best wingers in the Dominion and R. H. Bell is a better player for his 1948 tour with the Otago team. G. J. T. Moore was the obvious choice for fullback. At times there is room for improvement in his kicking, but the British side will not meet a more devastating tackier on the tour. The side on paper appears one of the strongest and best balanced to represent Otago for many years, and it is one which is capable of wiping out memories of the province’s defeat by the 1930 British team by 33 points to 9. Women’s Indoor Basketball Once again the lack of a suitable hall has meant the late starting of play in the women’s indoor basketball competition. Last year the teams benefited greatly from play on a fullsized court in the Drill Hall, but repairs to the hall made it impossible to use this court this year. Now, however, the association has procured the use of two halls for play, and matches will be started shortly. This year's activities promise to be 1 * successful, as the number of teams entered so far is well up to previous numbers, and the exceptionally good attendance at the annual meeting shows greater enthusiasm among the individual clubs. It has been decided to hold referees’ classes again, as it was apparent that these were of considerable value in making players familiar with the rules. Unaccountable Omission The omission of the name of Mr T. Isakigawa, of Balclutha, from the list of five Otago referees available to officiate in representative games this season is surprising, to say the least. When the Appointment Board made its choice it could have had little opportunity of seeing Mr Tsukigawa in action this year, but a lormer Christchurch player who was present at the Crescent-Clintcn game last Saturday told me that the two features of this match were the excellent play of L. S. Haig and the highly capable refereeing of Mr Tsukigawa. In any case, Mr Tsukigawa has already proved himself one of the best referees in the Dominion, and, like Mr I. Galiaway. the present No. 1 referee' on the Otago list, he has personality. Mr Tsukigawa had charge of the final South Island All Black trial in 1948, and he was well spoken of by the Australian side last year. He applies the advantage rule particularly well, is not the type of referee to obtrude himself unnecessarily on the game, and if he is to be deprived of the opportunity to which his ability entitles him, it will be a matter for regret. Two Strong Teams The final of the women's hockey knock-out competition was decided on Saturday. University A defeated Kings A by one goal to nil. The game was played at a fast oace throughout. and produced some high-class hockey. It is apparent, after these preliminary games, that when the competition for cup points commences, these two teams will be the strongest in the Senior Grade. Both teams have very fast forwards: in .his department University probably has the better combination. In the half-backs neither team is particularly strong, although N. Gourley, of University, and E Blackie. of Kings, are oustanding. The full-backs are good-in both teams, and both goal-keepers are above the average. It will not be surprising to find that the Otago representative team consists largely of members of these two teams. Out Of Action M. P. Goddard. All Black centre three-quarter, is undergoing a minor operation. He may miss a few competition games in South Canterbury-