TO MORROWS BIG MATCH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11648, 28 August 1905, Page 7

TO MORROWS BIG MATCH.

(By "Dodger.")

Great interest is being taken in the above match, which takes place on the Recreation Ground to-morrow, commencing at 3.30 o'clock sharp, and a record attendance of spectators may safely be anticipated providing v the weather remains fine. Special interest witt be lent to the game from the fact that Auckland won the Ranfurly Shield from Wellington on Saturday. While that victory proves that the Auckland team is a very strong combination, it by no means follows that they • are going to have an easy task to-morrow. Tho Wanganui team, which is published below, is undoubtedly. the strongest that has represented the local Union for many a day, and that it will give a good account of^itself I am confident. Tho forwards are a fine weighty lot, with plenty of pace and dash, and they only need to play up to their best form to hold their own with the Northerners. As for the backs, they are all capable of playing great games individually, and there is no reason why they should not show good combination. They have any amount of pace, and there is not a weak man ou the defence, while Mitchell's inclusion a3 five-eighth will add muchly to the strength of the attack. Though the visitors have a pair of good hookers, they will meet two quite as good, if not superior, in Thompson and Murray, and if the local men get possesE jbn — of which there is every chance — then there is no reason why they should not win. The players are all in good condition, and are not at all likely to be affected by the reputation their opponents have gained. The local boys only have to all play up to their best form to prove quite equal to the Aucklanders. Both backs and forwards are- enjoined to make no mistakes in their collaring, to go for their men low, and bring them down; to play with dash right through. ' The backs must be careful to find the line in their kicks better than they- did in the Hawko's Bay match. A couple of the forwards who are rather prone to shirk the scrum work in their anxiety to shine in the loose must remember that their weight will be badly wanted in the scrums, and not to break away too quickly. They will do better work for their side in this way than by j rolying entirely on their dash in the j open. It won't do to give the visitors any chances from free kicks, as they have some rattling good pi ace-kicks in their team. , The Auckland football team, under Manager Sheehan, arrived in Wanganui by to-day's express train t'vom Wellington, and were met at the station by Messrs George Suriggcns (president* of the local Union). W. Hall (secretary), and a number of other Rugby Union officials, lie men look to be in excellent condition, and with the combination gained in their matches against Taranaki and Wellington, can be depended upon to give a first-class exposition of football to-morrow afternoon, as they will have to meet focmen worthy of their steel, and a close and exciting game is sure to be witnessed by those who attend. To morrow's match is undoubtedly THE match of the season, so far aa Wanganui is concerned, and as the local team is such a really good oue, no wonder the contest is being looked forward to with great interest. It should be a most exciting one from kick-off, which is timed for 3.30 o'clock, until the whistle sounds 'no side," jind there is not likely -to be a very big margin of points between the teams, whichever side wins. The Aucklanders are staying at the Metropolitan Hotel. Owing to Todd having been injured m the Wellington match he will not play to-morrow, while Wynyard, who also sustained a severe shaking, will be replaced by Gerrard, who arrived from Auckland to-day to join tho team. The Aucklanders intend playing thu three halves game ,an dthis will probably mean that McGregor will be played as an extra five-eights on the Wanganui side. The following will be the teams: — AUCKLAND (blue and white): Full-back — Newdick.

Three-quarters — Gerrard, McKenzie, and Twiname. Halves — Kternan, Young, and McGcc. Wing forward — Tyler or Eraser. Forwards— Herring, Dinning, J. P. MeGuire, Trevarthen, Marshall, Bonclla, and J. R. McGuire. H. Kiernan. the old Wanganui crack half, will captain the visitors.

WANGANUI (blue and black) Full-back: A. Pownall.

Three-quarters: T. Craig, Takarangi, Macdonald. Five-eighth: R. Mitchell. Half : An slow.

Wing forwards: Corby and McGregor. Forwards: Elmslie, Murray, Green, Guscott, Thompson, Jones, and Andersoa. Ronald McGregor will skipper the Wanganui team.

The Wanganui Rugby Union intend entertaining- both the Aucklanders and the local team at dinner at the Metropolitan Hotel to-morrow after the match. The members of the Wanganui rep. team are requested to roll up for practice at the hall to-night. The country players will be in attendance, and every man must roll up. . The Horowhenua-Wanganui representative match has been definitely fixed to take place here on the 16th of September. In connection with the Auckland-Wel-lin°-ton match on Saturday the N.Z. Timer. sav°s that H. ("Micky") Kiernan, the visitinff captain, handled his team splendidly, and his direction of the attack was the main factor in Wellington's defeat.