LEAGUE RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16513, 25 August 1921, Page 3

LEAGUE RUGBY.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY (By SCRUM-OUT.”) The chief topic of conversation at present amongst League players and supporters of the code is who will run the Auckland-Canterbury match at Sydenham Park on Saturday. This will be the third meeting between tho provinces, Canterbury having played at Auckland in 1913 and 1918, the northern representatives winning both fixtures. Will they repeat their success on Saturday? The Auckland full-back, M. Flynn, is a well-known Australian boxer, and is very keen on getting a contest m the South Island. He is reported to bo as fast on his feet and as quick-think-ing on the football field as he is in tho roped arena. Mr Ivan Culpan, who accompanied tho English team on their tour of tho Dominion last season, is manager of the Auckland team. He is accompanied by Mr <5. Smith, a member of the New Zealand Council, and Mr Freeman, of the Auckland Referees’ Association. The annual moke concert of the local Omrtre will be held at Freeman’s Cafe, High Street, to-night, when, in addition to the presentation of the cups, shield and banners won during the prq>sent season, presentations will also be made to the players who have shown most improvement .in the Junior and Senior grade competitions this season. Dr Thackei, who is president of the local Centre, has issued invitations to all members of the City Council and the town clerk to witness the Auckland and Canterbury match at Sydenham Park on Saturday. To give the public the opportunity of gauging the progress made by the League game, the committee have decided to play the Sydenham and Linwood fifth grade teams prior to the representative match. As the teams have a victory over each other this season, the game should be keenly fought out. It is unfortunate that W. J. Mitchell was not available against the Auckland team. The Federal captain has not recovered from the injury ho received in the Sydenham match for the cup final, when he sustained a broken rib. The final decision arrived at by the Board of Control in reference to the renewed application foi* the Auckland fixture n.c Lancaster Park on Saturday .mould be sufficient cause for League players, officials and supporters to look askance at any overtures advanced by the rival code towards amalgamation, which is alleged to have taken place in one important centre of the Dominion. I understand from a conversation with the local secretary that probably the final issue will create a lot of surprise, not only in local football circles, but also throughout New Zealand. The absence of W. King, who has had to go to Kaikoura, is the reason of his non-inclusion in the team to meet Auckland to-morrow. The presence of the Sydenham captain would undoubtedly have been beneficial to the local players. The Australasian team en route for England are due to arrive at Chicago to-day, visit Toronto, Canada, and the Niagara Falls to-morrow 7 , Montreal on Saturday, and leave for Southampton on the same day. They are due to arrive in England on September 6. Owing to injuries sustained S. Trudgeon was not available for selection in the representative team to-morrow. Mr A. Morris has been selected as referee for to-morrow’s interprovincial fixture, and his selection should ensure a fast game throughout. The Sydney University team have jumped into popular favour with the crowds in Sydney in the City Cup matches, in which they have beaten the majority of the leading teams, having gained surprise victories each week. The ’Yarsity team could only w r in one game in the premiership competitions, won by North Sydney, but since being coached by the ex-Wellington and New Zealand centre three-quarter, W. Kelly, the students’ team have shown wonderful improveemnt. J. Young is the only player in the local team who played against Auck-

land 5h 1918. in the northern eity„ though R. Watt and F. Sander? werm members of the Canterbury team against the northern province in 1913, Mr A. Morris, referee in the fixture ** Saturday, was also in the .1913 team.