SOUTH ISLAND TEAM

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND TEAM

Eight Southlanders

Selected

FOUR BACKS AND FOUR FORWARDS

C- K. Saxton Appointed Captain

(United Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, September 13.

The South Island Rugby team to oppose the North Island in the annual match at Wellington on September 23 was announced by the selectors, Messrs A. A. Adams (West Coast), A. J. Geddes (Southland) and R. R. Masters (Canterbury), tonight. The team is:— FULL-BACK.— S. F. Easton (North Otago). THREE-QUARTERS.— A. G. Sutherland (Southland), A. W. Wesney (Southland), T. C. Morrison (South Canterbury). SECOND FIVE-EIGHTHS.- W. I. Pcrriam (Otago). FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS.— M. P. Grace (Southland). HALF-BACK— C. K. Saxton (Southland). BACK RANKER.— A. A. Parkhill (Otago). MIDDLE ROW.—R. H. Ward (Southland), D. B. Herron (Southland), R. R. King (West Coast), C. W. Williams (Canterbury). FRONT-ROW.-V. L. George (Southland), W. G. Sherriff (Southland), G. R. Macdonald (Otago). EMERGENCIES.—Backs, R. L. Roberts (Canterbury), J. W. Purdue (Southland). Forwards, S. E. Purdue (Southland), W. A. Hearn (Canterbury). Saxton will captain the side and King will be vice-captain.

Thirteen players were nominated by the Southland Rugby Union and only three, R. G. Mahony, G. H. Graham and C. Soper have not been selected for the South Island team or as emergencies. ALL BLACK TRIALS ABANDONMENT URGED At Monday night’s meeting of the Otago Rugby Union the question of All Black trial matches came up for discussion, and in view of the present situation it was decided to send a telegram to the Nev/ Zealand Union suggesting that, as there was very little likelihood of the tour of South Africa eventuating, the trials should be abandoned.

ASHBURTON BEATEN BY FIJIANS (United Press Association) ASHBURTON, September 13. Playing in extremely unpleasant conditions, the Fijian Rugby team maintained its unbroken record in New Zealand by defeating Ashburton by 10 points to 4. Play was ragged. The Fijians were apparently not able to find their feet in the mud and Ashburton was also having difficulty in handling the ball. The visiting forwards excelled in quick sharp rushes and the backs combined in enterprising movements. Had the ground been dry the visitors would likely have given a better display. Ashburton was first tc open its account when, from a scrum near the Fiji goal line, A. Kelly (first fiveeighths) secured the ball and kicked a neat field goal. The Fiji backs, by a bright movement, got into a handy position for Vorege to score. Soon afterwards Ralawa made a sparkling run before passing to Bola who scored. The visitors added to the score a few minutes later when Korovulavula (full-back), who played excellently throughout, secured well outside his own 25 and put over a fine field goal. Bola and Vorege were outstanding.

NORTH AUCKLAND BEATS WELLINGTON (United Press Association) WHANGAREI, September 13. North Auckland beat Wellington this afternoon by 11 points to 3. The superiority of the northern forwards in the loose was the deciding factor. Wellington hooked the ball from the majority of scrums but the combination of the youthful back line often failed. An outstanding performance was given by the 18-year-old Wellington fullback, Dance. For North Auckland Masters kicked a penalty goal and converted a try scored by Oallanan. Cunningham also scored a try. A few minutes before the whistle Thomas scored for Wellington.