SPRINGBOKS V. AUCKLAND

Opunake Times, 23 July 1937, Page 2

SPRINGBOKS V. AUCKLAND

TO-MORROW'S MATCH

A GREAT STRUGGLE

The Auckland Rugby fifteen | to meet the Springboks in the first match of the visitors' New Zealand lour, next Saturday will be selected from the following 19 players. Auckland Full-back: R, G. Bush. Three-quarters: J. Dick, A. Prentice, R. Byerley. Five-eighths: B. A. Killeen, D. Solomon. Half-back: W. Frankham. Forwards: T. H. Pearce, W. E. T ladley, C, S. Pepper, T. Lockingtori, R. R. Hull, W. Lange, R. Anderson, F. Solomon. Mr A. Thompson, King Country, a former Canterbury and South Island representative will be referee. Springboks Full-back : G. H. Brand. Three-quarters: J. Bester, L. Babrow, J. White, D. O. Williams. Half-backs: T. A. Harris, D. H. Craven (scrum). Forwards: M. M. Louw, .T. W. Lotz, H. J. Martin, L. C. Strachan, P. J. Nel, W. F. Bergh, W. E. Bnstard. C. B. Jennings. The problems facing the Auckland sole selector, Mr J. H. M. Muir, are the determination of the back line, and the exclusion of three forwards. Regarding the five-eighths combination, D. Solomon is likely to be played at first five-eighths in order to retain the Solomon-Frankkani club combination behind the scrum. They have been a big factor in the Ponsonby team's success this season.

On recent form it was expected that A. T. Prentice, the promising young Grafton player, would be allotted the second fiveeighths position, but the selector may prefer to field L. Curtayne*, the solid and constructive Marist back, and a more experienced player, as he represented Auckland last season and in the three games this year. In addition, Curtayne gave a sounder exhibition than Prentice in the match against Taranaki last Saturday.

Thre forwards will be excluded from the final list.

MEDICAL REPORT ALL PERFECTLY FIT Considerable discussion upon the injuries received by a number of the players selected to represent Auckland against the Springboks on Saturday next as .to whether these players would be perfectly sound to take the field occurred at the weekly meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby TTnio# on Wednesday evening, following the presentation of the doctor's report. The only member of the team, however, about which there was any real doubt was W. E. Hadley, the hooker, who was suffering from a shoulder injury received in the All Black trials at Wellington. The report stated thaT'Hadley's injury had received

treatment yesterday, with satis-

factory results, and it was the doctor's opinion that this player would be fit to play. Hadley, however, is to undergo a final examination to-dav.

It was revealed that C. S. Pepper, a front-row forward, was suffering from a strained groin, but this Avas also treated yesterday, and he will be able to take His place in the pack. R. R. Hull, ine of the locks, had a slightly strained ankle, which', however, will be strapped up and should cuse no anxiety. D. Solomon, who was at first expected to be on the side-line for a further week with a leg strain, will take he field perfectly fit, as he has now thoroughly recovered from his injury In the absence of Mr J. H. M. Muir, the sole selector, owing to an indisposition, Mr G. Nicholson, a New Zealand selector and member of the committee, was appointed to assume full control over the Auckland fifteen until nfter the match on Saturday. Th? final arrangements for 1 Saturday were completed. A full

programme of curtain-raisers to the match between Auckland and the Springboks will be commenced at 10 o'clock, while a first■•his musical entertainment will be provided during the intervals. Numerous duties for the efficient working- of the various arrangements during the day were allotted to members of the committee and to members of the junior management board.

J The New Zealand Rugby Union drew attention to the rules regarding tackling, pointing out that players must play the ball with the foot after being tackled, and that the disregard of this rule would lead to trouble in the Springbok matches unless strict. - lv adhered to. The parent body also advised that injured players must be taken to the side-line instead of being treated on the field, as this tended to cause unnecessary delays,

The letter av;is referred to the Auckland Referees' Association, after Mr J. Sweeney had advised that members of the association had been instructed to pay special attention to the application of the tackling rule early this season . '