NOTES BY "DODGER."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 6

NOTES BY "DODGER."

It certainly looks as though the Australian team would not win a match in New Zealand, judging t by the "way Wellington ran .over the visitors and the victory gained t>y tli<v eowifcim-ecl Marlboroxig-li, Nelson, and West Coast team yesterday in the match at Nelson. It is conceded that the Australian combination is stronger than any that has yet visited the colony from the "other side," and yet apparently their play is a long way inferior to that of a New Zealand provincial team. However, New South. Wales came to make a draw with th© New Zealand team which recently visited Sydney is' a greater mystery" than ever, but it is quite certain that for some unexplained reason the Maoriland reps, did not show anything like their true form in the drawn game. Of course, "we were told by Sydney writers that the New South Welshmen had "played the game of their lives" "in that encounter. Perhaps they did, but *yen so the New Zealanders must have given a -wretched exhibition. The present Australian team is supposed to contain the ,best,players New South Wales and Queensland combined can produce, and it is safe to say that it is a stronger combination than, so mysteriously drew with the New Zealandera in Sydney- recently. According to' all accounts the form shown at Wellington and Nelson proves that the Aus-

tralians have made no improvement whatever in their play in recent years, notwithstanding the visits of the Britishers and New- Zealanders. It' would be funny, though, if they were to score a win in the test match as a New South Wales team did on a previous occasion after being beaton in all other games. However, this is scarcely likely to happen. By the way, it is tiineucthe New Zealand team was chosen, ; as .the test match is to be played on Saturday week at Dunedin. i Clover® name was omitted from the Pirate senior team published yesterday.

The Australian team play a match at Christclmrch on Saturday against Canterbury. \ Jack Blair intends donning the jersey again, and will play for the Old Boys against Waverley on Saturday. ,H. Moutgomcrie will, alsp turn but t6 assist the blues. Both fh aye been doing some training, and the 'former is expected to show some of his old-time form.

The following will play for tlie Pirate juniors against -the Old Boys on Saturday: — Prideaux, Coster, Sommerville, Ehoa, Thurston, Dowe, Davis, Barnes,' Tremcwan, Prideaux, Hallig an,. Hodge (2), Tui, Jacob, and P. Mailman.