FOOTBALL IN AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 61

FOOTBALL IN AUCKLAND.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

June 29.

In Satarday's Cup football matches City boat Newtcm by 22 points to 4, having all the bes* of the game one* they warmed up to it, and clearly demonstrating that the fiist game of the season, when the. two teams played a drawn game, was not their true form. North Shore beat Suburb* by 5 points to 3 points, and Ponsonby defeated l'arnell comfortably by 12 points to nil. Grafton are now the cmly team that c 3.11 be held to have a chance with City for the &&a.son's honours, but I think they will go under when they mee-t the Red-and-blaekc> on Saturday we?k.

The all absorbing topio is, of course, the Now Zealand team for Australia, and although there are a few croakers it may be said that the great majority regard tho selection as about as good a one as could have been made. People down your way know ac much about the mc<n outside thy Aucklanders as we do, but perhaps a word or two concerning our members of the team w.ll interest Witness readers. First, then, comes Dick M'Gregor, who, I believe, has been chosen to play full back. The sturdy little Aucklander, who was off colour last year, is right t>ack in his very best form, and ha% played eomo slashing games at three-quarter in this season's Cup matches. All round he 10 undoubtedly the beet back playing in Auckland at the present time; versatile and strong in attack, always using his head, and a deadly tackier, invariably taking his man low and leaving him on the ground — no bog pardon when Dick tackles. He 13 a f;iir kick, but nothing out of the common, ajid it is a great pity that he has to be played full back, ac in his present form he would b» a tower of strength to the three-quarter line.

A&her is unquestionably our most dangerous attacking player, and when the ball gets into his hands anywhere in proximity to the line is the hardest man in Auckland to stop. Always in good training, he goes from end to end of the game, and musters up quite a lot of pace. Some say that he is weak in defence, but if those who hold this view had seen him bowling hie men over in laet Saturday's match their minds would have been disabused. He, however, does not always use his head to the host advantage, amd has cultivated that unfortunate practice tliat caused tho death of the late lamented Barney Armit — viz., jumping over his opponents. If Ashor cames back from Australia alive, then I make bold to say that no back in the team will have a longer list of tries to his credit. He is of compact build, very powerful for a man of his inches, and when he dunipe a man tho recipient of the bump does not forget it quickly. Kiernan is a slashing half back, dodgy, and a* full of tricks as a monkey. Ho mixes his- game in a manner that baffles the opposition, and is at his best with a good pack of forwards in front of him. All halves are, of course, tha+ way with wining forwards, but Kiernan stands out by liimself ; his quick screw punting is remarkably effective, and lie invariably finds the touch lino. Ho stops rushes very well, but though aa good as most of them under pressure it cannot be claimed that he is as sound in defence as im attack. It is in this department that Humphries in his best day was Kiernan's master. The Aucklander cannot stand up to tho gruelling that the little Taranaki half wild.

Of the forwards, Tyler and Nicholson are both known to footballers down your way,

and it will suffice to say that they are in gocd fig this season. Long is perhaps not oo well known, and Gallagher possibly almost forgotten, as he was m South Africa for a couple of seasons. Long made his debut as a rep. laot season, and there was c.o better forward on the Auckland side. He scales about 15 stone, rather over than under, does his work honestly, in the serum, and is always to the fore in the open, playing untiringly right through the piece. Three or four seasons ago Gallagher was our crack wing 1 forward, and although it was thought that he had gone off when he turned out towards the close of last year it is now apparent that want of condition was the only trouble. He has been playing in the front row this season, and is undoubtedly ue good as ever. He and Tyler will in all probability be in the front row while on tour, as both are good worker!?.

While more than satisfied with the number of men included there wero some who were inclined to question the wisdom of tho relectors in overlooking Cunningham, the burly Auckland lock, and M'Duff, who had no superior here last year. The latter, however, would not have been able to obtain leave of absence had he been chceen, while Cunningham k said to be below laet year's form. All being well with him, I regard him as a better man than Fanning, particuhrly in manoeuvring a pack. The general opinion in football circles hero is that -the Otaco veteran. Jimmy Duncan/will be ehosfii to captain the New'Sealanders through Australia.