FIRST OF THE TRIALS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19378, 16 July 1937, Page 7

FIRST OF THE TRIALS

POVERTY BAY-EAST COAST SELECTING COMBINED TEAM START TO BE MADE TO-MORROW Notes by "Sideline." Widespread interest will bo displayed in the Rugby match to be played to-morrow between East Coast and Poverty Bay representative sides at Wai-o-matatini in view of the fact that it will be the first trial match to select the strongest side to meet the Springboks when they visit Gisborno on September 18, There will be another trial game, against the Bay of Plenty at Opotiki, and the Poverty Bay team will make the trip in August. East. Const will also meel Bay of Plenty in the series. After all the trials have been played and the selection of the combined team from the Poverty Bay, East Coast, and Bay of Plenty unions completed it has been suggested that the combined fifteen should have a practice in .Gisborno against, the rest of Poverty Bay. The tentative date fixed for that match is September 11 and for the week thai elapses before the big fixture with the South Africans in Gisborne the team probably will lake the wise course of remaining together in Poverty Bay in order to secure better combination.

Spirit of Rivalry Prospects for the game to-morrow are exceptionally good as each of the chosen men in (he two sides will be

giving of their best in order to make an impression with the three selectors, one from each of the unions in the combined area. There are some young players in each team who probably will make it hard for a few of the older hands, and with this spirit of rivalry there should be a grand game for the spectators. Some of the more experienced players who. though they have been near the top flights before and others who were nominated this season for All Black trials, will be all out to catch the eyes of the selectors and have then' chance against the Springboks in a country game at least. The Poverty Bay representative side has been a puzzle this season on account of the lack of good inside backs, and though the wingers have been strong they have failed as strong scoring men as they have had much less than their share of the ball. .1. Milligan has been playing a sound game for the Bay since he has been given a chance in the half-back position, and the next man in the line is G. Sharp, who is usually seen in the H 5.0.8. colours, but has many times represented Poverty Bay. Peter Kaua left the game at the beginning of the year after many successful seasons as an inside back and it is only in the last few matches that he has taken the field again to assist his old club. Y.M.P. On his last two games Kaua should be a decided acquisition to the Poverty Bay team and it is hoped that he will forge a strong link in the back line. Fuller Makes Impression

At centre-three-quarters R. Patty (Celtic) is a new man in the representative side and if he gets off the mark with a little more speed he should make himself worthy of his position to-morrow. E. Grant (H. 5.0.8.) was one of the players nominated for a chance in the All Black trials and will be on his game to make sure of at least one match against the touring side. F. Fuller came to Gisborne with a wonderful reputation, but only showed patches of his true worth in the early-season games. He has settled down to his training now and last week-end made a sound impression on the players and selector with his accurate kicking. For half an hour Fuller kicked at goal from the half-way line and from all possible angles and his performance was such that he failed to convert on only four occasions. If he retains this form he is sure of selection in the combined loam as his other*work is showing signs of improving.

The usual Poverty Bay fullback was unable to make the trip and if was thought possible that D. Vincent (Celtic) would be filling the breach. Vincent is a sound player and does not let much pass his line. In the forwards the Poverty Bay side has the strength, and while the ability of the Coast forwards is not known, it is certain that they will have to make a big effort to displace many of the Poverty Bay men.

Injuries have compelled D. Thompson (H. 5.0.8,), B. Bods (Old Boys), and Ihe emergency back, P. Harris (H. 5.0.8.), to remain on the side line for this match, but it is possible that these players will yet have a chance of displaying their worth before the trials are complete. The size of the East Coast union allows the selector to make a particularly wide choice for his representa-

live men and with this as a primary factor and with the many fine Maori players that the Coast has turned out the opposition to the Poverty Bay team should be strong.

The East Coast Team The following pen-sketches of the Coast team will give readers an indication of the strength of the side:— M. Wailiti (Matakaoa).—Has been playing consistently well for the past two or three years and has represented Matakaoa several times during that, time. Though he is not up to the standard of George Nepia, he handles the ball cleanly and is fairlv safe.

P. Kutin iTolaga).—A winger who has played in many representative matches lor the East Coast union and a member of . the Ngatiporou Maori team. He is a good man and a determined runner. 11. Riini (Matakaoa).-—The' centre three-quarter in the team usually plays fullback and is well known as a representative for the Whakatane and Apanui unions. lie has the appearance of being a fairly Rood man, but is not so spectacular ns George Pepere. B. Hati (Ruatorin>.-H-This man will be maknig his first appearance in representative matches if recent football injuries allow him. lie is particularly nippy. Uhe cannot take the field it is possible that Jensen will take his place. Jensen is over Ms!, and is more the bujld of a forward. Though slow to get moving, he is a dangerous man when under way and within distance of the goalline.

J. Reedy (Ruatoria).—This man is well known to the five-eighths position and made the trip to Australia with the Maori All Blacks last season. He played brilliantly in the matches at Wellington and Auckland at, the conclusion of the tour. He has gained much experience, but injuries might also prevent him from talcing the field to-morrow.

T. Wi Repa (Ruatoria).—A fiveeighths known to Powrty Bay "fans" as a prominent East Coa.st inside back man. He is good on defence and attack, runs straight nnd varies his game nicely. He does not overdo his solo work and should make the combined representative team to meet the Springboks in Gisborne.

Tuhcke's Adaptibility B. Tuheke (Tolaga).—This halfback can adapt himself to any position in the back division, and there is a possibility of his moving out to the live-eighths position if Reedy is compelled to remain on the s'dtttino. He is a solid man. Pewhnirangi (Tokomaru). This front-row man is making his debut in inter-union matches, and according to his performances of late ihe deserved to get his place in the team. He is a sound man and in good condition for the match. Doole (Matakaoa). —This man is a school teacher on the East Cape, and though his credentials are not known he is a really good hooker and hard toiler generally. G. Reedy (Ruatoria).—ls another of the family who has made its name in the Rugby world; he had experience with the Maori team in Australia. He will probably captain the East Coast side when they take .Ihe field to-morrow. lie is a good general and never shirks in the light. He is certain to catch the eyes of the selectors for the combined tofcim. P. Goldsmith (Ruatoria).—This is his first time out in the East Coast representative colours, but he deserved his place for since the beginning of the year he has been showine consistently good form. He is an exception to the general run of Maori players and is in the pink of condition.

Loekwood (Tolaga).—A well-known plaver who was with the Maori team :it 'Palmerston North, is tall, and shines in the line-outs.

W. Tuhoro (Wainpu).— Is a hard worker and makes his impression in the loose.

W. Tibbie (WniapuL—He is a boy from To Ante and should be able to hold his own with credit to his side. rioukiinp.il (Matakaoa).—When in form this "layer will go a long way unci would he a very useful man, but is inclined io be indifferent. R. Grace (Ruatoria) and To Runa (Tokomaru). —The emergencies have been showing consistently good form.

P.B. RUGBY REFEREES APPOINTMENTS FOR SATURDAY At the weekly meeting of the Poverty Bay Rugby Referees' Association last evening the following referees were appointed for Saturday's games: Junior grade.—H.S.O.B. v. Old Boys A, on No. 1 ground at 2.45 p.m.. Mr. A. S; Muir; High School'v. Celtic, on No. 2 ground at 2.45 p.m., Mr. L. Stichbury; Marist v. Waikohu, at To Karaka at 2 p.m., Mr. H. Hunter. Third grade.—Celtic v. Old Boys, on No. l ground at 1.15 p.m., Mr. VV. McKcaguc; High School, v. Marist, on No. 2 ground at 1.15 p.m., Mr. H. Heiford. Fifth grade.—Old Boys v. Marist, on No. :t ground at 1.15 p.m., Mr. U'. 11. James. Reserve referees: Messrs. V. Norman and E. Sharpe. Line umpires: No. 1 ground, Messrs. L. lllingworth and W. Charles. Mr. K. R. Waite presided over the meeting and others present were: Messrs. A, E. Ingram, .V. Norman, E.

Sharpe, E. Corbett, D. N. McLeod, R. W. Cook, A. Worthington, W. H, James, W. Wilkie. L. Stichbury, H. Heiford, and O. R. Olsen.

Messrs. L. Stichbury and H. Heiford who had been away with the Coronation Contingent, were welcomed back to the association's meetings.

11 was decided that in the event of a team not being on the field by thje time announced for the game to continence, the referee would call the game off.

ALL BLACK TRIAL SOLOMON NOT AVAILABLE (IYr Press Association.! WELLINGTON, hist night. Solomon is not available, owing to injury, for the final All Black trial match on Saturday. His injury will keep him out of action for about -\0 days. ; He has been replaced by G. Killeen, Auckland, and Fulton, Wellington, has been added to the test emergencies.

SCHOOL FOOTBALL .5?&fl ••*&*•■ COMPETITION •"■■ (Fl/nNiWh GortfMsJTottjlpnt.)' ; , ''".X.".' Tho'Easteiri' and;,'Western School . football rtonteh^-ymieht took place nt • the' Nuhate 'A;%nd;l?; .trMnds : fpr' the' T.e ltd. CUJ>f--wj?s a very- even ..lime,, the. ' ..Eastern division-team, -which eottiprifced selected • playeLv from . xlf ' Nuhala public and -native"'schools and 'Opbutama PubiieCSeiiool,-won by ■ l 3 ,pOih,is Jo 1L- Mr; P.arkihsdn H-ferec-d' ' theiflihe..; ; .:•;-; • -•- ■ '••■ • duo to the local, schbdlsVioir.. t,he ; great improvßrnent hi - their l-*.£iiay» this .being . largely; due to'! tbpj.'.-'jjihtifing ..effbris--and. interest ;talcep:;by-Mr. J. ■ Ooldstone,. .who' not 'only ••selected ,the. leatn- but also; coached the Eastern team, which -Comprised-!:'Brown, T! Puni, H. Ma-. Intra, A. Christie; B. Hapi, W. -Boyd, A, • Smith, W; Golds.tone, F, -SmitlC 81. Hapi,-,A. ; SmJtfi.VH.Watt, A. Watt, "j; Ryan, aid.- t;-sfim£s.'4 : -,- : :■ t