SHIELD GAME TODAY

Southland Times, Issue 23888, 5 August 1939, Page 14

SHIELD GAME TODAY

Southland Will Be Favourite

BRILLIANT RUGBY IS EXPECTED

All that remains to make the Ranfurly Shield match at Rugby Park this afternoon an outstanding success is favourable weather and good playing conditions. Yesterday the prospect of success could be regarded as good; the weather was good and the playing area at Rugby Park had recovered wonderfully well frcm the soaking it received last week. Light drizzling rain fell soon after the arrival of the Otago team last evening but it did not continue for long, and before midnight the weather was definitely more promising. The remarkable interest which is being taken in the game was shown last night when the Otago team arrived by special train from Dunedin. Hundreds

of Otago and Southland supporters lined the station, and although many were not able to see the players step on to the platform there was plenty of cheering to greet the team. Mr V. G. Cavanagh accompanied the team as manager.

GREAT GAME EXPECTED

Whatever the playing conditions, it can almost be taken for that the standard of play will reach great heights. Both teams are fielding combinations reputed to be equal to the best sides to represent the provinces, and as they have shown in the last few years that they are the. leading unions in New Zealand there is reason to expect a clash much above the ordinary interprovincial game. Otago supporters are very optimistic about the chances of their team. They have reason to be. Otago came south last year with a team not generally regarded as being as strong all round as

the present one and it won the shield. This year the team‘stands out as strong in every department, and although it will be opposed by a side much improved on last year’s team its chances of success cannot be lightly passed over. Like the Southland team the Otqgo team impresses the general observer as being solid rather than brilliant. The forwards are uniformly big and strong, and as a pack may have more weight than the Southland pack, but whether it will be as strong remains to be decided. The forwards will pack a 3-2-3 scrum and as the occasion demands they will pack down 3-4-1. These tactics will be watched with interest. It is clear that Otago will stake everything on getting possession from the usual channels. The selection of the team shows that. There are no loose forwards of the Neiper type in the side. Every scrummer is a pusher. Southland also is not carrying any roving forwards. It will pack down 3_4_l, with the back-row man (Marshall) fitting in as a lock of the middlerow locks. In this way the maximum weight will be concentrated on the front-row in scrums. Generally the packing of the 3-4-1 formation does not tend to extract the utmost pushing power from the packmen. TWO SOLID PACKS From this it may be expected that the battle between the packs will be something to become enthusiastic about. Southland has the reputation of being able to field packs equal to the best anywhere, and Otago, if not so rugged in its forward make-up, can be looked upon to offset strength and ruggedness by the application of the finer points of scrum work. The New Zealand and South Island selectors, who will be present, should see much in the way of excellent forward work.

The duel between the backs promises to be interesting and entertaining. It has been claimed for Southland that the back division is probably the best combination the province has fielded for many years. From half-back to the wings there is a refreshing dependability which has not always been associated with Southland back divisions, and because of that fact alone this year’s Southland team must be regarded as above the average. Man for man in the backs, Southland should hold its own. It is the work of the inside backs which will command most attention. D. Trevathan, W. Perriam and N. A. Mitchell will be marked by C. K. Saxton, M. P. Grace and A. W. Wesney. Both sets have two All Blacks in their number, so there should be little lacking in spectacular play. The play of Saxton at first five-eighths, mainly as he will be opposite Trevathan, will be of particular interest. He has worked up an excellent understanding with J. W. Purdue (half-back) and M. P. Grace (second five-eighths) and many keen judges expect him to play an outstanding part in the decision of the game. His smartness in all-round work should carry him a long way. Other interesting duels will be provided in the play of two promising young second five-eighths, Grace and Perriam, and the two All Black centres and former club-mates, Wesney and Mitchell. Perriam’s play last season won him high praise. It is said that he is not absolutely sound in defensive work, but his attacking work is very good. Grace also has shown much promise in the last two seasons, and since he has been playing outside Saxton he appears to have improved his attack. There is no doubt about his defence. MITCHELL WILL BE WATCHED Southlanders know of what N. A. Mitchell is capable. Indeed he is Regarded by Southlanders as the potential danger in the Otago team this year. He is in his right position at centre, and should he be favoured with

the run of play today he will take much watching. That will be A. W. Wesney’s job. And there are few better men than he to be entrusted with the task. Wesney is probably one of the strongest tacklers playing in New Zealand today. His form this year has been good and he will be looked to to play well against Mitchell. Neither should get far away from the other. All the wings are good types. W..A. Black gained the distinction of scoring both of the tries for Otago in the two games with Southland last year, and, incidentally, he scored one each against A. G. Sutherland (first game) and R. G. Mahony (at Dunedin), the Southland wings in today’s game. Black will again be marked by Sutherland. The latter is a dashing type who might easily even the count against the Otago man today. He is in ■ rare form and he is the likely man of the Southland backs to provide any fireworks which may be seen. L. Werner and Mahony will oppose each other. Both are strong runners. Mahony’s play this season has been commendable and he may prove a handful for Werner, who, however, is known to be a resolute tackler. Both teams are backed by good fullbacks. Both arc experienced players and generally sound in their play. They should not let their teams dowh. Summed up it could be said that the teams are fairly evenly matched. If anything Southland is entitled to be favourite for the game more because of playing on its own midden than anything else. It has been said many times that Rugby Park is as good as six points to any Southland team. That may apply more than ever today. Moreover, it must not be forgotten that of nine Ranfurly Shield games played on Rugby Park Southland has won seven. GOOD WISHES Several messages of good wishes for the success of the Southland team have been received by the Southland Rugby Union. Mr A. C. Mills, of Otautau, who is on holiday in Sydney, sent a cablegram, and. letters or telegrams were received from, (be following: Jules H. Tapper, a Southland representative 50 years ago, who is visiting Suva; Jack Lilley, Southland representative from 1914 to 1926, who is living in Wellington; G. P. Thomas, captain of the Southland team in 1937, now of Christchurch, and Messrs James Hargest and W. M. C. Denham, M.P.S. MANY PROMINENT VISITORS The remaining members of the South Island selection committee and other prominent Rugby men arrived in Invercargill last night to see the match. Those who will be at the match include Messrs S. S. Dean (Wellington), chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, E. McKenzie (Carterton), sole selector of the New Zealand team, A. Adams (West Coast), R. R. Masters (Christchurch) and A. J. Geddes, South Island selectors, Isaac Jenkins (Queenstown), a member of the Southland team which played in the first match against Otago in 1887, T. Lynch (Balfour), H. Murphy (Temuka), former Southland representatives, F. D. Kilby (Wellington), All Black captain in 1932 and 1934, J. B. Wootton, D. Jolly, Ira Grant, D. M. Spedding and V. G. Cavanagh, members of the Otago Rugby Union and W. G. Garrard (Christchurch), a New Zealand selector 40 years ago. LAST YEAR’S TEAMS Only seven of the players in each team which took part in the first shield match at Invercargill last year will be playing today. The teams last year were as follows:— OTAGO FULL-BACK: D. Trevathan. THREE-QUARTERS: W. A. Black, W. Perriam, L. Werner. FIVE-EIGHTHS: C. C. Gillies, M. Spillane. HALF-BACK: W. Campbell. FORWARDS: J. Mahoney, G. McDonald, W. McLelland, J. Morrison, F. H. Vorrath, D. Hamilton, F. Garty, L. Niven. " SOUTHLAND FULL-BACK: R. Barnett. THREE-QUARTERS: A. G. Sutherland, J. Miles, E. Calvert. FIVE-EIGHTHS: M. P. Grace, L. Beal. HALF-BACK: J. W. Purdue. FORWARDS: C. George, W. Sherriff, C. Soper, T. Metcalfe, D. B. Herron, G. H. Graham, J. Hamilton, W. L. Crawford. GROUND COVERED Every precaution has been taken by the Southland Rugby Union to ensure a good playing surface today. The ground was covered during the week with about five tons of hay. It will be taken off at daybreak this morning. Yesterday the ground was in good condition, and if there is a drying wind this morning the surface should be solid. The gates will be opened to the public at 11 o’clock this morning. BOXING BAKER MEETS FISHER TONIGHT Tonight at the Civic Theatre boxing enthusiasts have had arranged for them an outstanding programme. The amateur contests will no doubt create considerable interest as the Otago and Southland boys who are fighting are the pick of both provinces. These bouts will be a good try-out for the coming New Zealand championships. The main event brings together two of the outstanding boxers in the welter division. Both Fisher and Baker are fast, clever boxers and it should be an event outstanding in the history of the association. Baker has displayed excellent form in his gymnasium work and is fighting with venom, which was lacking in his last contest. Whether Fisher can withstand the power of Baker’s punches remains to be seen but as he is such a brilliant boxer he no doubt will be fast and clever enough to evade punishment. This matching clinches the endeavour of several associations to bring these boxers together and the outcome of the bout will be keenly watched by enthusiasts all over the country. HENNEBERRY DISQUALIFIED IN THIRD ROUND LONDON, August 3. Fred Henneberry was disqualified in the third round of his fight against Dai Jones. CRICKET SOMERSET BEATS WEST INDIES (Received August 4, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. Somerset in its first innings, made 345 (Luckes not out 71; Clarke six wickets for 138 runs). West Indies in its second innings made 189 (Weekes 54; Hacell four for 74). Somerset won by an innings and 72 runs.