WHO SHOULD WIN?

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 197, 20 August 1931, Page 9

WHO SHOULD WIN?

Ranfurly Shield at Stake This Week. CANTERBURY’S CHANCES. (Written for the “ Star.”) If Canterbury win the Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington on Saturday, no one will be more agreeably surprised than the average Canterbury supporter, who, in spite of his earnest desire to see this province on top, can nevertheless see the many weaknesses of the challengers for the coveted trophy. Reports to hand show that there is not much wrong with the standard of Rugby in Wellington. That province has some rattling good forwards—men who would not be likely to go down before even a well-organised pack such as South Canterbury possess. Canterbury’s defeat at the hands of South Canterbury a • fortnight ago showed clearly that it is combination, and not the number of men who get nominated for an intor-Island match, that counts. Strang was the only South Island nominee from South Canterbury, whereas Canterbury had six. There is little doubt that Canterbury performed well in their match against Hawke’s Bay yesterday, which the Bay won by 17 points to 14. The winners have a good team this year, but from all accounts Wellington are above that standard. W. Sweeney had to leave the field through injury in the game against Hawke’s Bay, and K. Kearney (Merivale) will leave for Wellington to-night to take Sweeney’s place. Kearney is the only addition to those players originally chosen to make the northern tour. Wellington Defections. Recent advice from Wellington states that there is a possibility of Lilburne not playing on Saturday. Another unconfirmed report states that this ex-Canterbury man may be tried out at full-back. Whichever is the case it will mean a loss of attacking power on the part of Wellington, who also have Mackay, Dinnis, Ball and Pollock on the injured list. Had all these men been available for selection, there would have been little chance for Canterbury, but as it is there is a fair prospect of the Shield coming south. For Canterbury to win owing to Wellington injuries, would be unsatisfactory even to the victors. In view of the defections from the Wellington team the following, with one wing three-quarter not settled, will probably line out to defend the Shield: Full-back: Masters or Lilburne. Three-quarters: Fuller, M’Donald. Five-eighths: Page, Nicholls. Half-back: Kilby. Wing-forward: Stiver. Lock: M’Pherson. Hookers: Jessup, Coulston. Supports: M’Lean, Barry. Back-row: Fell, Peck. THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR. Referees Selected for Coming Matches. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 20. The selection of referees for the Australia Rugby touring team’s engagements is being made by the New Zealand appointment board, except in the case of the test match at Auckland, for which the visitors will have the option of choosing a referee. Appointments have been made as follows: Otago, Saturday—Mr J. L. Oughton (Invercargill). Southland, next Wednesday—Mr A. B. Rowlands (South Canterbury). Canterbury, August 29—Mr L. E. Macassey (Otago). West Coast-Nelson combined, September 2—Mr T. A. Fletcher (Wellington). Wellington, September s—Mr R. G. Collins (Canterbury). CHRIST’S COLLEGE TEAM. The Christ’s College first Rugby fifteen will leave Christchurch this evening for Wanganui, where the annual tourney in which it is engaged with the Wellington College, Wanganui Collegiate School, and Nelson College will be played on Saturday and Monday. The Christ's College team is as follows: Full-back: A. P. J. Monteath (captain). Three-quarters: T. A. Gresson, B. L. J. Spence, H. G. Sedgley. Five-eighths: A. F. Flower, C. N. Mackenzie. Half-back: T. B. Morten. Wing-forward: C. C. G. Webb. Forwards: A. O. Kimberley, W. Ormond, A. A. Roberts, B. P. Smith, T. H. Holderness, A. H. Harding, D.’ H. Arthur. Emergencies—Backs: A. K. B. Williams, A. M. Gunn; forward: E. R. Harper. (Other football news appears on Page 14.)