INTER-ISLAND RUGBY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23288, 25 August 1945, Page 6

INTER-ISLAND RUGBY

Changes In Both Teams (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND. Aug. 24. The attention of Rugby football followers throughout New Zealand will be focussed on Eden Park to-morrow afternoon when the thirty-seventh Inter-Island match will be played. If weather conditions remain fine a great crowd is anticipated. The record attendance for a Rugbv game in Auckland was at the third test match against the Springboks in 1937. when a crowd of 55,926 watched the play. The gate takings amounted to £9703. A crowd of 45,250 attended the test, match in Auckland against the British team in 1930. Changes have been made in both the back teams for the match. In the North Island side G. Delamore and B. Couch were not available owing to injuries. They have been replaced by D. Barchard and R. Sorenson, both of Auckland. This brings eight Aucklanders into the side, four forwards and four backs.

The only alteration in the South Island team Is the defection of J. Alexander, the first five-eighth. M. P. Grace, the South Island captain, will fill the role while the original centre threequarter, R. E. Elvidge, will take the second five-eighths position. P. W. King, of Canterbury, will be the centre threequarter. The two teams held training runs at Eden Park. Although the North Island forwards average 911 b heavier than the South Island, the latter are expected to make up the deficiency by solid packing. The North Island backs should set a eood share of the ball as E. H. Catley (Waikato) has Droved an exoert hooker. Five of the South Island forwards and four in the North Island pack stand 6ft or more.

Harrier Runs Harrier club runs to-day will start at 2.30 p.m. wet or fine. The Presbyterian Club will run from St. Paul's Schoolroom, Highfield. and the Methodist Club from the residence of Mr and Mrs S. Riley, 99 Selwyn Street. The Anglican Club will run from St. John’s schoolroom. Wai-iti. and will be the guests of Mrs and Mr A. Foden. The Timaru club will hold their club championships starting from Caroline Bay and will be the guests of Mrs T. Seaton. Excellent Ground The Temuka Oval, as compared with Fraser Park, was in excellent condition ■ for the Star-Zingari game played last Saturday, a fact that reflects the greatest credit on the Temuka Domain Board, and a word of praise is also due to all those W’ho attended to the ground generally and to the cleanliness of the dressing sheds.