FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY GAME. AUCKLAND V. N.S.W. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 23 A strong side has been selected by Mr V. R. Meredith to represent Auckland against New South Wales at Eden Park on Saturday. It is:— Full-back—L. Paewai. Three-quarters—Falwasser, L. Hook, Minns. Five-eighths—R. Hook, Jenkin. Half-back—Carter. Rover—Linton. Front row—Palmer and A. Finlayson. Lock—Wanoa. Supports—Cathcart and Knight. Back row—L. Knight and Batty. Reserves—Butler (New Zealand representative full-back), Jeffries, Stoupe, Fletcher, Anderson. There is only one important altera/tion from the team fielded by Auckland in various southern games. L. Knight (of the 1925 New Zealand team) replaces K. Anderson in the forwards. Paewai, who has been ill recently, is expected to be fit again by Saturday. A curious position arises, as V. C. Butler, selected as full-back for New Zealand in the first test against the New South Wales touring team at Wellington on September 5, will be only a reserve for Auckland. In the backs, Falwasser changes places with R. Hook and goes out to the wing.

AUCKLAND CONSIDERS SHIELD CHALLENGE.

(Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND. August 23. At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union last evening, the advisability of entering a challenge for the Ranfurly Shield was discussed. The chairman (Mr Harry Frost) said that all challenges this season had to be lodged before August 31. Mr Cooper suggested that Wairarapa should be challenged for September 19. Finally it was decided to leave the matter until Saturday, when a meeting will be held at Eden Park after the game with New South Wales, and meanwhile the sole selector, Mr V. R. Meredith, would be asked to ascertain whether a satisfactory team could be sent. A report on the Auckland Rugby team’s southern tour was given by the manager (Mr A. Tilly). “Auckland should be proud of the men sent on tour,” Mr Tilly said. “ The team’s behaviour was excellent, both on and off the field. Although the team were defeated by Wairarapa, the game was really a triumph for Auckland's style of play. The Auckland backs controlled the game in the first half, and the reversal of form in the second half was not due to any falling off by the Auckland team, nor by any marked superiority by Wairarapa. There were other factors.” Against Canterbury, the combination of the backs was not all it could have been, but the team won on their merits, and the Canterbury spectators were pleased with its display. Almost a reserve team was fielded against South Canterbury, and in the first spell Auckland had to fight hard against the home forwards. Indeed, the further the team went south, the higher was the class of forward play they encountered. The southern forwards were still masters of footwork. There was a fear that Auckland might meet their Waterloo in Dunedin. Otago had a very strong pack, and fielded a crack University back team. However, the Auckland team was right on form. The forwards played splendidly, and the straight running backs showed the Otago men the error of running across the field. The Dunedin crowd was delighted with the play of the Auckland backs, and in Invercargill, too, the touring backs made an excellent impression. A depleted team put up a great fight against Wellington, and after the game it was freely stated that the better team lost.

Mr Tilly was thanked for the report, and congratulated on the success of the tour