TEAMS ANNOUNCED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6558, 27 August 1948, Page 5

TEAMS ANNOUNCED

MAJOR ALL BLACK TRIAL TWO TE AWAMUTU PLAYERS INCLUDED Twelve Waikato representatives have been included in the A and B teams to take part in a major All Black trial match at Eden Park, Auckland, on 4th September. Four are in the A side, six in the B, and two figure as reserves; but all emergencies will definitely be given a run on Saturday week. The North Island selectors, Messrs M. F. Nicholls, K. Reid, T. Pearce, and C. Brown, announced the teams after the trial match at Hamilton on Wednesday. The biggest surprise is the selection of B. A. Sweet, who, although overlooked by the Auckland selectors, has been included in the B team, and, irrespective of whether he fails or not in the trials, he will have been given a chance to show his paces. Another player selected, as a reserve, is lan Boyes, of Te Awamutu, who was not included in the team in the trial at Hamilton, but has been given the opportunity to prove his worth in this select company. Eocal forward A. E. Rowan is included in the B pack, and on present form thoroughly deserves his place.

An interesting feature of the teams selected is that the whole of the Waikato front row and the two regular locks are chosen for the trial.

Viewing the teams as a whole, it may be said that the North Island selectors have done an excellent job of work, and it will certainly not be their fault if the Eden Park trial does not materially assist the New Zealand selectors in their search for talent for the South African tour. The teams are as follows, A indicating Auckland players; W., Waikato; N.A., North Auckland; K.C., King country; 8.P., Bay of Plenty:—

A Team: Full-back, R. WJ. H. Scott (A); three-quarters, J. O’Hearn (W.), G. G. H. Gilmour (A), J: K. McLean (A); five-eighths, B. Beazley (N.A.), N. Black (A); half-back, W. J. M. Conrad (Wj); front row, V. A. Ensor (W), A. M. Hughes (A) r J. G. Simpson (A); second row, P. J. Crowley (A), R. Johnstone (A), C. Mcßae (NA), C. Vowles (W); back row, N. H. Thornton (A). B Team: Fullback, D. S. Ensor (W<); three-quarters, E. G. Boggs (A), A. F. Bullick (W), B. A. Sweet (A); five-eighths, F. R. Allen (A), G. R. Brunskill (W); half-back, T. Richardson (NA); front row, D. L. Christian (A), E. H. Catley (W), A. E. Rowan (W!); second row, I. Fraser (NA), M. J. McHugh (A), J. H. Carrodus (W), B. McKenzie (KC); back row, F. McGuigan (BP). Reserves: Backs: I. O. Boyes (W), B. A. Cowley (VW), G. Kearney (A), B. McGougin (BP). Forwards: G. S. R. McDonald (A), A. S. Taylor (A), R. Pevreal (KC), E. Huhne (KC). Poverty Bay players were not included in the teams at the request of the Poverty Bay Union because of a Ranfurly Shield match on 4th September.

The two teams are to assemble at the Albert Hotel, Auckland, at noon on 2nd September. Training will be held at Eden Park at 3.30 p.m. the same day, and players are requested to contact their local unions regarding travel arrangements to and from Auckland. FINLAY CUP MATCH On Saturday the local representatives will be playing Taupiri in a further series of Finlay Cup matches. In view of this game Mr A. Betts, senior selector, has chosen the following players:— E- Barton, I. Boyes, D. Barton, G. Crotty, S. Parkinson, W. Beet, K. Walker, J. Forkett, A. Rowan, R. Douglas, Bob Hinton, Rex Hinton, Stan Hinton, G. Taylor, E. Davey. Emergency backs: H. Cox, N. Ormsby, forwards: H. Tripe, J. Kay. The senior B team will journey to Taupiri to play a Taupiri B team. The following players have been selected:— Irwin, R. Horan, L. Crotty, B. Taffiaki. D. Empson, R. Heron, N. Shirley, A. Jourdain, T. Kiely, Rattenbury, D. Melville, P. Rooney, H. Chandler, K. Hodgson, T. Warrender. Emergency backs: C. Price, J. W- Turner; forwards: R. Pryor, B. Halliday. In view of the lateness of the teams being published the selector would appreciate very much if any players are not available, would they contact him or the Union secretary immediately.