HAS NEPIA A MAORI RIVAL?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 14

HAS NEPIA A MAORI RIVAL?

NEW FULL-BACK MAKES IMPRESSION IN NORTH. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 22. It was at Eden Park, in May, T-.U4, •hat George Nepia found his metiex as full-back, and those followers of the game who remember the circumstances and saw the Auckland-Maori game on Saturday, are wondering if history will repeat itself. When the first of the 1924 trial matches was played, between a combined East Coast and Hawke’s Bay team and a combined Auckland, Waikato and North Auckland side, the contending five-eighths included Nepia as one of the Hawke's Bay inside backs, but against the speed of C- Badeley and Cooke he was outpaced, and it seemed to be the general opinion he had lost his chance of All Black honours. But a resourceful supporter of Nepia had him included in the North v. South Maori match at Eden Park the following Wednesday as full-back, and though by no means the perfect last line of defence, he acquitted himself so well that he was given a chance in later trials in that position, and won his place. When the Maori team went to Eden Park on Saturday last the captain saw some of the players for the first time, and he included M‘Donald, of Marlborough, as five-eighths, on reputation, while the half-back. Kingi, was playing full-back. As the-game proceeded it was quite obvious that Kiiigi was out of place, and. at half-time he was shifted up to five-eighths, while M’Donald was sent back to guard the goal. -V lissome 124-stone six-footer, the Marlborough youth quickly showed that he had pace and a wonderful pair of hands in fielding and taking the ball, as well as a powerful punt. Some of the things he did were on the risky side, but he plainly showed that he has the makings of a great full-back. Followers of the game are wondering if. having reached the full-back position in similar fashion to that in which Nepia “arrived,” he will go on as a fullback. and take England by storm — that is, if the team does get away on its tour.