MAORI TEAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 9

MAORI TEAM

ABSENT PLAYERS SCARCITY OF BACKS FINE FORWARD PACK MEMBERS of the Maori footbail team which is to play Auckland to-morrow had a run this afternon, and shaped well. The team is yet by no means complete. Latest advices indicate that the team may be short of backs, as some have been unable to join lip in time, and Turei (Grammar) and Ruru (Grafton), former Te Aute stars now playing: in Auckland, may be called on to complete the rearguard. Their presence will in no way weaken the side, as both are capable of brilliant efforts. Among those unlikely to appear tomorrow are Barclay, S. and J. Gemmell and "Wilson, all of whom will be playing for Hawke’s Bay, and Hohaia and Falwasser, Taranaki threequarters, who cannot get away in time. Hawke’s Bay’s action in commandeering Barclay, who has barely fulfilled his residential qualification, and has played no club games in the Bay territory this season, is likely to be severely criticised. DASHING FORWARDS "While the Maori team may lack some of its shining lights among the backs, it will possess forwards of genuine class. Robinson (Canterbury) is unfortunately not taking part in the North Island tour, but W. Rika. J. Manihera. Ihaia and Peter Gemmell are players of a fine stamp. Gemmell is a younger member of the Wairoa football family, three of whom will be figuring in first grade Rugby to-morrow.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has Mr. A. W. Dunstan, of Thames Valley, to referee to-morrow’s match between Auckland and the Maoris. The Wairarapa-Hawke’s Bay match will be controlled by Mr. H J McKenzie, brother of the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa selectors, so that the “big three” of the McKenzie clap will again be in the limelight to-morrow.