N.Z. TEAM IS PICKED TO MEET N.S.W. SIDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18545, 20 August 1928, Page 14

N.Z. TEAM IS PICKED TO MEET N.S.W. SIDE.

F. CLARK IS ONLY CANTERBURY MAN TO GAIN A POSITION.

The selectors of the New’ Zealand team. Messrs E. M’Kenzie (Wairarapa), N. M’Kenzie (Hawke's^ Bay), W. A. Guy (Taranaki), T. Muliken (Canterbury), A. Adams (West Coast) and A. J. Geddes (Southland) met after the inter-island match on Saturday and picked the following team to meet New South Wales in the first test at Wellington on September s: Full-back: F. B. Butler (Auckland). Three-quarters: P. C. Minns (Auckland), L. Hook (Auckland), F. Snodgrass (Nelson). Five-eighths: A. E. Cooke (Wairarapa), Bradanovitch (Otago). Half-back: A. Holden (Otago). Forwards: Wing forward—C. Porter (Wellington). Hookers—A. Palmer (Auckland), F. Clark (Canterbury): Lock—R. Steere ('Hawke's Bay). Side rankers —F. Freitas (West .Coast), -M. Willoughby. (Wairarapa). Back rankers—A. Knight (Auckland), W. Batty (Auckland). Emergencies—Backs: W. M’Clymont (Otago), C. Oliver’ (Canterbury). Forwards: Toby Robinson (Canterbury), J. Howden (Southland). NOTES ON THE SELECTION. In picking the above team the selectors, as far as the backs' are concerned, have gone outside the players who took part in the Winter-Island game at Lancaster Park on Saturday. This | is not surprising, because neither fullback played up- to international standard. After his game for Wairarapa against Canterbury, Roach looked like a coming New Zealand full-back, but on Saturday he failed to produce his usual form. Stevenson, the South full-back, was distinctly off his game, iI is handling and fielding of the ball were faulty on many occasions. Butler, of Auckland, who has been chosen as full-back of the team, is not very well known, except by repute, in this part of the Dominion. He was in the running for the All Black team for South Africa, but an illness spoilt his chances. Of the three-quarters, who played in the inter-island game on -Saturday, Snodgrass is the only one who has gained a place in the New Zealand team. He was undoubtedly the best three-quarter on the ground. The try that he scored in the first spell marked him as a winger of more than ordinary ability, much after the style of Jack Steel. Snodgrass suffered an injury in the second spell to his leg, and he had to be carried off the field, but it is understood that it was a ricked ankle, which will probably be all right in a few days’ time. L. Hook, who has been chosen as centre for the New Zealand team, was at centre three-quarter for Auckland against Canterbury this season. He did not play too well in that game, and he also failed in the inter-island match at Wellington last season. Hook, however, is reported to have done very well in Auckland football both this season and last. Minns was chosen as centre for the

North Island team on Saturday, but at the last minute he was replaced by Kemp, of Waikato, probably because he had had a rough passage down from Wellington the previous night. Minns played for Auckland against Canterbury. Tie has a great turn of speed, and. if he gets the chances against New South Wales he should score tries.

Cooke was, of course, a certainty.' On Saturday he was the best back, on the ground. One of the surprise selections of the team is that of Bradanovitch as first, five-eighths. He did not go well on Saturday. He was fairly sound on defence but, when it came to attack, he failed. He tried to do too much on his own, and consequently failed on many occasions. In picking Bradanovitch the selectors were no doubt actuated by a desire to keep Holden and him together. Ilolden played a fine game behind the South pack on Saturday. He was a good deal better than Bramwell and deserved his place. One of the uniuckiest of the South backs is Hay. At second five-eighths he was out of his place, but, in spite of this fact, he was one of the soundest backs on the field both on attack and defence. Jf he had one fault on attack it was that he was too much inclined to kick instead of letting the l.ail out to the men outside him.

The selectors c-ould not go past Porter as wing forward of the New Zealand team. lie played a groat game on Saturday, marred only by the fact that he showed a tendency to get off : side. Toby Robinson has been chosen as first emergency forward of the team. He went a good game on Saturday, • especially in the second spell, but he was not the equal of Porter in the play round the scrum. Robinson is a good scrum forward and so he is a useful emergency player. Followers of the game here will join in congratulating ( lark on his selection fer the New Zealand team. He is the only Canterbury man in the side. 'On Saturday Clark played a good game, being one .of the best of the South forwards. Palmer, of Auckland, who has been selected to hook with Clark, also went well. A. Finlaypon, the other North Island hooker, played a good loose game and he was unlucky not to gain selection. Steere is to lock the New Zealand scrum, but it is doubtful whether he is a 'better man than Batchelor, the lock of the South scrum. On Saturday Batchelor was one of the best of the South Island forwards. As far as t.he other scrum forwards are concerned Freitas, M. Willoughby, Knight and .Batty* are all worth their place, but there' is at least one forward who is unluckv to be left out. lie is Marslin, of Otago. Next to Freitas, he was the. best forward for the South on Saturday. \ ,

CANTERBURY JUNIOR TEAM The following team ban been picked to represent the Canterbury Juniors against Wellington juniors at Lancaster Park on Saturday next:— Full-back—G. H. G. Hobbs (Old Boys). Three-quarters—Rowe (Merivale), A. E. Piastre (Old Boys), F. M’Millan (Old Boys). Five-eighths—T. Young (Christchurch), G. lies (Albion). Half-back—C. Harper (Old Boys). Wing-forward—E. CJasson (Christchurch). Forwards —Woodham (Merivale), J. Pickles (Old Boys). R. Lewis (Christchurch). It. Gibbs (Sydenham), G. Ell (Old Boys), Laurange (Merivale), It. Beattie (Old Boys). Emergencies—Williams (Varsity), F. Rhnmer (Sydenham), R. Overend (Merivale), It. M’Kenzie (Christchurch), Evans (.Varsity), F. Menzies (Christchurch). Practice will lie held on the night training ground. Hagley park, to-morrow and Thursday, at 7 p.m. All players must attend.

SCHOOLS MATCH. Waiinate defeated West .Christchurch lMstrh t High School at Rugby at Waimate by 17 points to S. HIGH SCHOOL TOURNEY. The fourteenth South Island High Schools Rugby tournament will begin at Dunedin to-day and conclude on Thursday. The first day's games will be Timaru v. Southland and Otago v. Christchurch, and the winners and losers will play’off on the second day. SENIOR B V. OTAGO. The following Senior B team has been selected to represent Canterbury against Otago at Dunedin next Satur-Full-bac.k—-A. Cox (High School Old Boys). Three-quarters—W. Thornton (North* Canterbury), E. Lunn (Kaiapoi), R. Flewellyn (Merivale). Five-eighths—C. RJordan (West Old Boys), O. Ebert (Merivale), Half-back— R. Sullivan (LiViwood). Forwards—Taylor (Albion), Dawson (West Old Boys). Simpson (North Canterbury), A. Hands (Albion), F. Thompson (Linvood), Roberts (North Canterbury), Young (Old Collegians), C. Quaid < Lin wood). Emergencies—Woodward (West Old Boys), E. Hill (Sydenham). The team is requested to attend practice at the night training ground, Ilagley Park, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.0 t). Any player not available for the trip should notify the secretary of the Union immediately. SOUTHLAND WINS FROM MANAWHENUA. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, August IS. After a poor exhibition of Rugby. Southland beat Manawhenua (his afternoon by 12 points to 4. The weather was fine but dull, and the ground was lin splendid order. During the game there were very few movements to induce enthusiasm, both sides finding difficulty in handling the ball with any degree of certainty. Several of the Manawhenua players occupied'positions to which they were not accustomed, and combination suffered as a result. The Southland backs failed to link tip, bad handling crippling a number of rushes before they had been effectively launched. The most pronounced feature of the play was solid defence by each side.

INTER-COLLEGE TOURNEY. CHRIST'S COLLEGE BEATS WANGANUI. Per Press Association. NELSON, August 18. The inter-collegiate tournament commenced to-day in fine weather and will be continued on Monday. Christ's College had an easy win over Wanganui by 24 to 11. The first spell was an even one, the scores being 11 to 8 in favour of Christ's College, but in the second half Christ's College threw the ball about well and always looked winners. Their forwards gave Wanganui's fast backs little chance. For the winners tries were scored by Lumsden (2), Tapley (2) and I-litchings. A penalty was kibked by Lumsden, who also converted two tries. For Wanganui unconverted tries were scored by Rainbow and Kemp and a penalty was kicked by Be thell. Nelson and Wellington Colleges played a drawn game. 13 each, after Wellington had been leading by five points up to ten minutes before the final whistle. WAIRARAPA DEFEATS MARLBOROUGH. Per Press Association. CARTERTON. August IS. After a poor exposition of the Rugby code, Wairarapa easily defeated Marlborough in a Ranfurly Shield match. The challengers never looked like being winners, though on occasional flashes they drove Wairarapa back. The weather was perfect, though the sun was in the faces of the visitors in the second spell. The attendance numbered about three thousand. Wairarapa won by 25 to S. WELLINGTON DEFEATS AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 18. The representative game between Auckland and Wellington was played on Athletic Park in brilliant sunshine and no wind before a large crowd. Auckland bad several of their best players away in Christchurch representing tho North Island against the South. The following were the teams:— Auckland—Butler; Falwasser, Hook, Goodwin: Jamieson, Jenkin; Carter; Linton; Anderson. Strange, Donaldson, Kahn. Fell. Lomas. Fletcher. Wellington—Cuming: Brown, Ransom. Maokay; Chaney. Mackenzie: Coman; Wilson; Jessop, Coulston, Blacker, Shearer; Sly, O'Regan, Edgar. Auckland attacked from the start, but Mackay and Coman were associated in a neat bit of work and Auckland forced. Auckland came away from the drop out but Goodwin dropped his pass when in a good position. Play veered back again and from a scrum Chaney rhade a fine opening, but a knock-on spoilt a great chance. Wellington were getting the ball from the scrums. From a scrum on their own side of the half-way Auckland came right away and a try looked a certainty, but Goodwin again dropped his pass. A penalty saved the situation. A Wellington rush saw Shearer in possession with a clear run, but he threw the bail forward. From a penalty well out Ransom goaled. Wellington 5, Auckland 0. Smart work by Chaney and Mackenzie took tire ball to the Auckland twentyfive, but a penalty relieved. Butler was applauded for gqjrd defensive work. A strong Auckland rush was well stopped by Mackay. Kahu made a great run from a weak kick by Chaney. From a scrum at half-way, Coman secured and the ball went to Ransom, who ran round to score a very fine try. He failed tc convert. Wellington 6, Auckland 0. Wellington backs moved in great style, but Mackay was pushed into touch near the corner. Auckland came upfleld at a great pace and a kick saw Ransom tackled in possession. The ball came to Linton with a clear field and he had enough pace to score under the posts Jenkin goaled. Wellington 6, Auckland Edgar was injured and had to retire, Claridge taking his place. From a htglkick Carter took the ball, but was tackled and passed to Hook, who was off side. The kick was dead in from of the goal, but Ransom missed. The drop out was penalised and from th« scrum Coman set his backs going Chaney cut in brilliantly and Sly scorer ’ a try near the posts. Shearer converted At half-time the score was: Wellingtor 11, Auckland 5.

. On the resumption of the game Auckland attacked, but off-side relieved Wellington in their own twenty-five. Another penalty gained further ground. Auckland swarmed to the other end, where Carter made an opening for Jamieson iu fool the local backs and run

over under the posts. The kick was forfeited. Wellington 11, Auckland 8. A Wellington forward rush following on the stopping of an Auckland attack, compelled to force. Auckland next rushed play to the Wellington line, and Coman saved brilliantly. A good rush by the local pack took play well up-fleld, but a great passing rush by Auckland went right to the Wellington line, where a try w-’s r,ivnare-«R> scored.

but th« ittfere* ruled a fore* down. Auck land were making uesi*«.-i <« i«r efforts tc

score, but frequent penalties w.cre keeping them out. At length a Wellington rush reached Auckland quarters, where from a penalty Ransom kicked a goal. Wellington 14, Auckland S.

From the kick-off an Auckland rush took play to the Wellington line, but Hook's final pass to Goodwin was a bad one and it was dropped when a try looked a certainty. Hook oould have scored himself. Butler had a try at goal from a penalty, but failed. An opening by Chaney saw the ball go across to Brown, who went across in the corner. Ransom failed to convert. Wellington 17, Auckland S. Give and take play round the half-way ensued for a time until the ball went across to Falwasser, who went for the line. The ball went to Anderson, who dived over. Butler converted. Wellington 17, Auckland 18. Auckland came again, but a penalty sent them back again. Both packs had tired a little and play become scrappy. Time was called with the score:— WELLINGTON 17 . AUCKLAND 13 PRINCE OF WALES CUP. FOII COMPETITION BY MAORIS. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, August 18. The first contest for the magnificent Prince of Wales Cup for a Rugby football competition among Maori districts was held at Gisborne this afternoon in fine weather before an attendance estimated at fully 4000. The qup Is a sequel to the Prince's visit to New Zealand. While in the Dominion the Prince in the course of conversation with Sir James Carroll was much impressed with the Maoris, and said he would like to do something to commemorate his visit. Nothing was done at the time, but later Sir James Carroll recalled the incident, and when Mr Coates was going Home to the Imperial Conference Sir James forwarded a letter by the Prime Minister suggesting the idea of a cup for Maori Rugby, and the Prince willingly fell in with the idea. The conditions of the contest were left with the Maori Advisory Council, who decided that the trophy should be open for competition among special Maori districts, New Zealand being divided into four districts, namely Tokerau, from North Cape to Rotorua and Opotiki; Taira wliit i. from East Cape to Dannevirke; Taihahauru, from 'Dannevirke to Wanganui, New Plymouth and Wellington; Waipounamu, all the South Island. In view of the fact that the scheme originated in Gisborne, the New Zealand Rugby Union and Maori Advisory Board declared Taira whiti the first holders of the trophy, and the first challenge match was played to-day against Tokerau, the visitors winning iiig throughout, but at. times of a lather ragged nature. At the conclusion Sir Apirana Ngrata addressed the crowd, explaining how the cup was donated and the conditions, and I<ndy Carroll handed over the trophy” to the manager of the winning team, P. Turei. TARANAKI V. WANGANUI. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 18. Taranaki representatives defeated Wanganui by 20 to 11 to-day. The Taranaki team's display was much belter than it was a week ago, when thev were lucky to beat Hawke's Bay. The game was fast and eventful. There was not a great difference between the teams, but Taranaki held a winning

margin nil (he way after scoring enrlv a. converted try. following: a penalty goal l>y Wanganui. Taranaki had the advantage in serums and made more use of passing movements initiated for' period in the ’ fir" t spell their forwards seemed hs ir thev would take charge. Every try scored wa« a spectacular one that raised enthusiasm. The Taranaki forwards triumphed in the end. and were directlv responsible for a Rood share of tinscores. Numerous Wanganui loose rushes threatened danger, hut the defence proved sound. Taranaki’s score consisted of two converted tries. two unconverted tries and a goal potted by H. Brown, and Wanganui's sroro prised one converted try, one unconverted, and a penalty. FIJI BEATS AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telesra ph.- - -Copy right.) SUVA. August IS. The Fiji Rugby fifteen defeated the Auckland University team at Albert Park, 12-8. The local players were superior in all departments. The match was plaved in drizzling rain before three thousand spectators, including the Governor, Sir Eyre Hutson. The teams were entertained at a dinner in the town hall to-night, and tomorrow there is a picnic at Nukulau. The local team averaged twelve pounds lighter.—Australian Press As-