TO-DAY’S RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 22969, 15 August 1936, Page 20

TO-DAY’S RUGBY

Southland Meets Manawatu

THE VISITORS’ STRONG SIDE As the result of the first-class performance of the Manawatu Rugby team against Otago at Dunedin on Wednesday, increased interest is being taken in the Southland-Manawatu game at Rugby Park this afternoon. The visiting team is reported to possess a heavy yet dashing back division of more than average merit. Against Otago, in the shield game, the northerners excelled themselves in all departments of the game and were considered by some who saw the match unlucky to lose. That recommendation alone is sufficient to regard the visitors as a good side, and as they play the typical North Island game, fast and open, the display of Rugby should be a good one. Manawatu is fielding practically the same side which played Otago. There are only two alterations, one in the backs and one in the forwards. R. M. McKenzie, who toured Great Britain with the 1935 All Blacks, will lead the forwards. McKenzie is one of the heaviest forwards playing in New Zealand to-day, but his weight is no bar to his dash or mobility.

In the backs there are speedy threequarters, solid five-eighths and a smart half-back, and as the scrum is likely to be heavier and stronger than Southland’s it is reasonable to assume that the backs division will get plenty of ball to play with and ample opportunities to show its dash. All round the visiting side must be looked upon as well up to the standard of the best provincial sides, and quite capable of extending Southland. Southland Team Altered. The Southland team will have to be taken on trust more than anything else. Practically a new back division has been chosen for this game and some of the players will be having their first match for some weeks. The inclusion of L. M. Uttley at centre has been well received by followers of the game. Uttley should give much-needed pace to the wings. The half-back and fiveeighths are all from the Pirates team so the side should not suffer on the score of combination. J. Hamilton (Old Boys) is the only new forward. He has had plenty of experience in representative Rugby. Rugby Park should be in good condition and as the weather promises to be fine a good, open game should result. Mr A. E. Austin has been appointed referee. The Teams. Following are the teams: — MANAWATU. Full-back:—M. Walden. Three-quarters:—H. Waugh, S. Bramwell, R. Gillespie. Five-eighths:—J. Thurston first, E. Fletcher. Half-back:—F. Irvine. Front row:—W. Sullivan, H. Crawford, M. Sutton. Middle row:—W. Powell, B. O’Dea, R. McKenzie, A. Williams. Back row:—L. Findlay. Emergencies:—J. Nichol, M. Dormer, P. Louisson, J. Powell, J. Finlay. SOUTHLAND. Full-back:—M. Hamilton. Three-quarters:—Alex. Sutherland, L. M. Uttley, Andrew Sutherland. Five-eighths:—R. Smith, R. Sharp. Half-back: —G. Thomas. Front row:—J. Mattingly, W. Sherriff, J. Dunstan. Middle row:—L. George, C. Soper, S. Purdue, J. Hamilton. Back row:—N. R. Irwin. Both teams will play the 3-4-1 scrum. The Civic Band will play at the ground.