RUGBY LEAGUE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 July 1947, Page 7

RUGBY LEAGUE NOTES

' N.Z. TEAM FOR BRITAIN AND FRANCE (By "SYDNEY G.”) The final selection of the New Zealand Rugby League representative side to tour England and France has naturally given rise to much discussion, but little or no controversy, for the choice was an obvious one. Names that will have a familiar ring for Rugby Union followers are: J. Haig, D. Barchard, C. Hancox. It was suggested before the trials that lhe detection of these plnyrrs to the League code would be r tiled by those whose chances of ection for the team would consequently be less bright. However, the selectors were concerned only with form in the trials.

The team that they have announced is a strong one in all departments. If weight means anything in the forwards, C. Hancox (16.2), L. Pye (15. 4), J. Johnson (15) and the remaining nine packmen averaging over 14 stone should win a goodly proportion of the serums, a factor so vital in this code.

But in this department, Britain has always excelled. Last year in the Test against New Zealand, the brilliant scrummaging of the British side was a high-light of the match. On their English grounds, New Zealand will have to measure up to world class to counter the powerful thrusts the Englishmen are able to develop just at the psychological moment, as well as getting perfect balance in the scrums.

In th© backs, W. S. Clarke fullback, is a masterly exponent of full back play. At Civlaw Park, Auckland last year he kicked goals from seemingly impossible angles, and in a sea of mud at that.

The English side was particularly flattering in summing up Clarke’s great display. R. Aynsley, a West Coast selection, earned his place. A. Yusley was an out-standing forward last year, and reports indicate that he has retained his form. Press reports show that B£j,ooo paid for admission to the Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley last season. In the Test Matches against England, we can look forward to crowds of approaching the 100,000 mark. Such figures may be surprising, but Rugby League is a tremendous draw-card in England, especially an international Rugby League Test. And what of New Zealand’s chances in the Tests?

Having regard to the quality of the English side that visited New Zealand last year, it is by no means easy to give an opinion. But it. is nearly always an advantage, for a team to be playing on its heme ground. England will have to muster all available stc'cngth to enable her representative sides to prevail over the New Zealand side, which is, in the writer’s opinion, the strongest to ever leave these shores.

At this stage my prediction is that New Zealand will win the crucial Test Matches. Only last season a Dominion side, scored a notable triumph over England in the Test at Auckland. This was a feat that Australia failed to accomplish, at least insofar as winning the series was concerned. The Englishmen blamed the weather and the state of the ground, but noted sports commentators from Britain have stated that worse conditions arc sometimes encountered on English playing areas. New Zealand will enter the contest full of confidence.