AUCKLAND V. CANADA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 10

AUCKLAND V. CANADA

THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES With Auckland due to meet the Canadians in the final game of their tour on July 30, the announcement of the team to bear the blue and white stripes may be expected shortly. If the withdrawal of the Thistle players from the local game continues Mr. A. P. Neesham will have* the unenviable task of having to recast the eleven he had in his mind’s eye, as it was generally anticipated that nearly half of the Auckland team would have been drawn from the ranks of the disgruntled Scots, and their vacancies will take some filling. Kay, of course, became a casualty before the club contretemps occurred, but Hislop, Carter, Cumming, Christie and Reid were regarded as rep. probables, and Mr. Neesham indicated on Saturday that he will be calling on some of his reserves to fall into training for the Canadian game, and to meet Wellington in the first interprovincial game a fortnight later. Reports from returned players show that the Kanucks are playing a hard game, with no beg pardons, and rely on putting plenty of energy behind their clever team work. Consequently Auckland will need players who can stand up to a gruelling game if they are to hold their own against the bearers of the maple leaf. THE BACK DIVISION For the responsible post of custodian Batty (Trams) is our most seasoned keeper, who enjoys taking a hand in a mix-up. At fullback Gerrard may be regarded as a certainty and may be partnered by Pickett (Ponsonby), who lias shown good form this season. Miles (Navy) is a clever player who puts plenty of pep into his play, but he may be preferred at outside left. Simpson (.Trams) is a hard player at back and may be considered a “possible.” There is a distinct dearth of good halves now, and players of Kissock and Baxter’s type will be sadly missed. Jones and Tinkler, of last year’s reps., are again available, but the key position at centre-half is the great puzzle. Wright (Ponsonby) is a promising colt who gets into the game in good style in defensive work, but lacks experience in setting his forwards on the offensive. THE ATTACK In the forward line only lnnes and Spencer remain of last year's van. Miles is a speedy left winger with plenty of weight, who sends across some hot stuff, and Woolley (Shore) has represented Auckland before. Mooney (Ponsonby) is a utility forward who can adapt himself to either the right or left position and would fill either effectively. The outlook is not cheerful, but there is no need for gloom, and Mr. Salmon’s surprise packet of “All BlacKS” on Saturday proves that “you never can tell” with the glorious uncertainty of Soccer. With a team like Batty, Gerrard, Pickett (or Simpson), Tinkler, Wright, Jones, innes, Woolley, Spencer, Mooney and Miles, Auckland need not despair of their chances. Miles is such a good ■ ill-round” man, in every sense, that he might make an ideal centre-half v.lti, the speedy Mellor (Onehunga) at outride left.