TOMORROW’S RUGBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 985, 30 May 1930, Page 8

TOMORROW’S RUGBY

WAIRARAPA SHOWS LACK OF CONFIDENCE

BRITAIN’S BACKS WEAK

(SUX Special Representative — Copyright) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The British Rugby team for Saturday will consist of Bonner, 12.5; Morley, 11.0; Xovis, 12.2; Knowles, 13.0; Reeve, 13.10; Spong, 13.0; Murray, 11.7; O'Neill, 14.0; Parker, 15.2; Kendrew, 14.10; Farrell, 13.11; Black, 14.4; Ivor Jones, 13.0; Beamish, 15.4 (captain); Welsli, 13.7. This is probably the weakest rear division the British have yet fielded, but the strongest set of forwards, as every man is a experienced scrummager. The backs, on recent form, are weakened by the inclusion of Knowles who, both at Wanganui and at practices, has been unable to hold passes. Novis suffered from the same complaint on Wednesday. The wings, however, are first class. Murray, though not a regular scr umhalf, was capped in that position for Ireland, while Spong will revel in defensive work. Bonner lias not played since he suffered a cut eye at Wanganui, but his wound is now quite healed. The other fullback, Bassett, turned out for practice today for the first time for several days. If fit, he will probably be played against Wellington on Tuesday. The Wairarapa pack, which includes three Bush Union men, Mahoney, Gerrard and Henderson, is claimed to average 14.3, which makes it much the heaviest pack the British have yet encountered. On the average "weights the Wairarapa pack, man for man. will probably be heavier than the British forwards. Opinion locally, however, suggests that Wairarapa lacks confidence in its backs. There is a feeling that Britain should win, which is a decided change from the opinions expressed before the Taranaki and Manawhenua matches, when enthusiastic local supporters were confident in their side’s ability to check the British team’s run of successes. Beamish, who captains Britain on Saturday, is the fourth captain in four matches, Sobey, Aarvold and Prentice having each had a turn to date. Gerrard, the Wairarapa forward, is a clergyman who formerly played for South Canterbury and the South Island. Last year he was a member of tlio Blackheath Club in London, of which Rew, Novis and Black are also members.