TARANAKI RUGBY TEAM

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1933, Page 9

TARANAKI RUGBY TEAM

SELECTION FOR WANGANUI SIDE A WELL-BALANCED ONE. COMPETITION FOR POSITIONS. The Taranaki Rugby representatives to play Wanganui at Wanganui on June 3 were chosen by the selectors, Messrs. J. Walter, C. Brown and F. McKenna, after the northern division trial match at New Plymouth yesterday. The selection 1 is:— Full-back: A. Collins (Clifton). Three-quarters: J. Kinsella (Star), K. Fookes (Old Boys), N. Hunter (Hawera). Five-eighths: First, G. Sangster (Stratford); second, Edwards (Patea). Half: Dymond (Empire Old Boys). Hookers: Gargan (Waimate), J. Young (Stratford), Fowler (Clifton). Middle row: R. Young (Stratford), Clarke (Okaiawa), O’Dowda (Tukapa). Back row: C. Wills (Patea), D. Murphy (Kaponga). Reserves: Backs, F. Young (Celtic), C. Sangster (Stratford); forward, E. Murphy (Hawera). The selectors stated that they were very pleased with the standard of Rugby displayed in both the North and South trials, and with the attendance of players for tire mid-week matches. It was also stated that the Taranaki Rugby Union was seriously considering keeping two representative teams in the field during the season, and the opinion was expressed that, judging from the play in the trials, both teams would fully uphold Taranaki’s Rugby traditions. Two matches are to be played between North and South Taranaki teams on June 22. Each end of the province will field an A and a B team.

Judging from tire trial games it would seem that G. Sangster, Dymond and Edwards have played themselves into Taranaki’s A team purely on their merits. Dymond played brilliantly at Hawera on Wednesday and G. Sangster’s exhibition of first five-eighths play at New Plymouth yesterday was one of the finest seen on Pukekura Park for a long time. Edwards was a resourceful and dashing player last year, and his inclusion is not as surprising as in the other two cases. Hunter also played well at Hawera, but unless he shows improved form on his last year’s representative matches when Taranaki meets Wanganui on June 3, Mcßoberts will be a serious competitor for his place on the wing. Although F. Young holds a place in the reserves Rutherford’s (Old Boys) Auckland game last year and his form in the trial match and when marking Young (Celtic) on Saturday cannot leave him far behind those backs chosen by the selectors.

B. Mace played like a champion in the second five-eighths position in the North trial and Edwards will have to play faultlessly at Wanganui to retain his place. At the same time it must be a source of satisfactio.. to Rugby followers. to know that Taranaki’s inside backs are so improved that a player of Mace’s showing can be left out. The pack appears to be as good as any that ever represented the province, both for fast dashing play and for solid scrummaging. S. Fookes (Old Boys) and R. McLeod (Star) are two other forwards who must have caused the selectors some concern when making the final choice. When the Taranaki Maoris have played their games Ruakere (Tukapa) is a forward who will probably find a place in Taranaki’s best pack.