STRONG FORWARDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1025, 16 July 1930, Page 15

STRONG FORWARDS

NORTHLAND’S PROSPECTS AGAINST BRITISH BACKS NOT SO GOOD Special to TIIE SUN WHANGAREI, Tuesday. North Auckland will meet the fon t n l iS n T uly J !0 : The Popular opinW.ui h ?< orth ls that the home si <Jo Z,L£ , iS ?P ced ' a lthough it seems extern that the visitors’ backs will undoubtedly dominate tlie situation. Tl ?2 North will field a pack that would do credit to any provincial side in New Zealand. With a leader like Bunny” Finlayson and followers of the type of Monday Rika, Billy Rika, Matene, Morrison and Halstead, they will be a Torce to be reckoned with. • T Jl e weakness °£ the team will lie in the rearguard where, with tho exception of three or four, they will not be of much account, and lack speed. i.o make matters worse, they will have no chance to work up a combination, as the big match will be their first game together. . ■ H l °?Y ov J er > the backs promise to be slightly in advance of those fielded in previous years. Alf Waterman has not been playing up to his best form, but the writer is of opinion that he will play a good game in better company. When he returned from the Australian tour, Rugby fans in Whangarei expected bim to score every time he touched the ball, and because be did not accomplish the impossible he was booed, and that alone is enough to dishearten the best player. Nicholls is certain to shine in this class of football, as he has a football head, and is quick to take advantage of the slightest opening. Mark’s brother has been playing excellent football this season, and will be hard to keep out of the team. Kerr made a good impression when he visited Auckland, and Hemi should also play a good game. “Bunny” Abbott is fast coming back to his old form, and the visiting speed merchants' will not need to take anv liberties with him. as he is not far from a “ten-second” man. His favourite trick, to pot a field goal when in a seemingly hopeless position, may help hi« side. What a leader “Bunny” Finlayson is was amply demonstrated at Rugbv Park last Saturday, when his club team in his absence was lucky to win. His generalship will go a long way in the forthcoming game. In conclusion, it might be stated that many are of the opinion that the heavy Northern forwards will carry tho day, but the majority favour the idea that they will tire badly, for the want of . sufficient training, and the visitors’ backs will step in and do as they like.