REP RUGBY.

Wairarapa Age, 17 June 1936, Page 4

REP RUGBY.

WAIRARAPA TEAM TO PLAY HAWKE’S BAY. MATCH AT NAPIER NEXT WEEK. The Wairarapa senior Rugby representatives will play one of their most important matches of the season on the King’s Birthday when they wilt meet Hawke’s Bay at Napier. The sole selector, Mr. H. J. McKenzie, has chosen the following team to represent Wairarapa:— Full-back, L. Connolly (Gladstone). Three-quarters, J. Eastwood (Old Boys), A. Lang (Old Boys), W. Peterson (Red Star). Five-eighths, R. Nunn (Gladstone) captain, F. Henson (Red Star).

Half-back, A. Steffert (Carterton). Forwards: Front row, G'. Wilson (Old Boys), J. Walker (Gladstone), E. Gillespie (Old Boys); second row, G. Laing (Gladstone), P. Ward (Martinborough,), I. McGregor (Gladstone), N. Trass (Carterton); back row, C. Grantham (Red Star). Reserves: Backs, G. Udy (Carterton), R. Johnston (Red Star); forwards, C. Varcoe (Old Boys), B. Howard (Red Stap). Owing to a family bereavement, R. Donald (Martinborough) was not available. The team will travel by ’bus, leaving Masterton about 9 a.m. on Monday. Players are to provide their own black shorts and any members not available are asked to notify the selector, ’phone 192 J, Carterton, or the secretary of the Union.

YOUTH AND SPEED. LIGHT BUT WELL-BALANCED SIDE. Mr. McKenzie has undoubtedly done the right thing in persevering with practically the same team as that which defeated Bush last week. With players like Fitzgerald and Devine not. available it is difficult to suggest a means of strengthening the inside backs. Henson is full of promise and should acquit himself with credit but much depends on how Nunn and Steffert combine. Should Nunn reproduce the form he displayed on Saturday,! however, there will be no cause for alarm. The flanks, Eastwood and Pet-' arson, have speed to burn and are both potential try-getters, provided they get a decent share of the ball. Lang’s last two games have indicated that he is back to old form again. Connolly, at full-back, is coolness and accuracy personified arid he will no doubt prove a tower of strength at McLean Park. It would be difficult to improve on the forwards as selected. The inclusion of Walker is welcomed as besides being an accomplished hooker he is an experienced forward, well versed iq the type of play adopted by the crashing Bay forwards. Much will depend on the display of the forwards but if they can hold the opposing pack and at the same time secure a fair share of the ball from the scrums and line-outs, Wairarapa should stand a good chance of coming out on top. Generally speaking, the team impresses as a light but well balanced combination, in which youth and speed are the principal attributes.—“ Observer.”