ALL BLACK TRIAL

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19598, 10 June 1935, Page 2

ALL BLACK TRIAL

SOUTH ISLANDERS

HART AND OLIVER OUTSTANDING.

KEEN COMPETITION IN FORWARDS

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday

The All Black Rugby trial between South Island Possibles and Probables attracted a large crowd of spectators. Possibles led by 1C —13 at half-time, and eventually won by 39 points to 21. , Play generally was of a fast and open order, with the ball being tossed about freely by the forwards and backs alike. There was more combination than is usually associated with trial games. The teams were:— Possibles. Full-back—G. Gilbert (West Coast). Three-quarters. —G. F. Hart (Canterbury), €. J. Oliver (Canterbury), T. '.Morrison (South Canterbury). Five-eighths.—o. Lunn (Golden Bay, Motueka), D. Lane (Marlborough). Half-back.— J H. Simon (Otago). Forwards. —L. George (Southland), J. 'Hore (Otago), G. Adkins (South Canterbury), H. Deavoll (Canterbury), L. Max (Nelson), J. Best (Marlborough), L. Niven (Otago), W. Mc•Neight (West Coast). Probables. Full-back. — I T. Nolan (Canterbury). Three-quarters.—E. Holder (Duller), N. Mitchell (Southland), ,R. Busch (Nelson). Five-eighths.—K. Mortlock (Canterbury), G. Gaffanev (South Canterbury) . Half-back. —M. Davidson (West Coast). ,

Forwards. —0. Ilaltersley (Canterbury), G. Orman (Buller), G. ■Lovell (Marlborough), F. Green (Otago), F. Vorrath (Otago), R. King (West Coast), G. Biddings (South Canterbury), T. Metcalfe (Southland). Reserves for both teams. —Backs: ■C. Saxton (Otago), T. Trevathan (Otago). Forwards: ‘E. McKenzie (Ashburton), R. Seaton (South Canterbury. Play Bogins Fast. Play began at a fast pace, with the forwards doing great work. The selectors were thinking in terms of l ist players, and they found them in George (Southland), G. Adkins (South Canterbury), Best (Marlborough) and McNeight (South Canterbury), who were in the Possibles team, and in Vorrath (Otago) and King ■■ (West Coast), who were the giants of the Probables side-. There were other big men also, whose capabilities were proportionate to their size. Fit, and ■combining a good turn of speed with great weight, King gave the Probables paok much of its driving force. At the outset it was seen that here was a forward measuring up to the finest New Zealand standards. His great strength was displayed when he burst up a ruck and sent the ball out to ■Niven,-the speedy Otago forward, who scored the first try of the match. ■Hore retains the form that made ■him an All Black in 1928 and subsequent years. There was no forward on the field who hunted the ball with greater vigour. T. 'Metcalf (Southland) was another who w-as on the job all the time, and when weight was wanted in the scrum he did not spare himself.

The tall, powerful flgrure of L. Max (Nelson) was prominent in the lineout play. He showed his great potentialities when lie broke away with a dazzling burst of speed to score a try for the Possibles. Other outstanding forwards were llattcrsley; Adkins, Green and Giddings. Deavoll was also prominent, particularly as a goal-ldcker. He sent over one magnificent shot. Of the full-backs, Nolan Inspired a feeling of security that was lacking with Gilbert.

The half-backs, Simon (Otago) and M. Davidson (West Coast), played well, but they were not up to the standards set by Dailey and Mill in 1924, by Kilby In 1928, or by Corner in later years.

With the exception of Mortlock, the play of the five-eighths was not Impressive. Gnffaney played well, but without the dash of earlier trials. Lunn (Golden Bay) Improved in the second spell, running straight and passing accurately. Oliver and Hart, with their brilliant speed and heady, dashing play, appealed as Test players. It was their outstanding brilliance that completely overshadowed the other backs. Holder’s defence made him a better man than Morrison, though in other respects they were about even. The 15 likely to appear in the semi-final and final All Black trials are :—Nolan, Hart, Oliver, Holder, Lunn, Mortlock, Simon, llattcrsley, Hore, Adkins, Deavoll, 'Max, King, Glddings and Aletealfe.

SOUTH ISLAND PLAYERS.

HART’S THREE TRIES. (By Telegrapn.—Pro3s Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Three of tho best backs on the ground when the South Island All Black trial match was played on Saturday were Hart, Oliver and Nolan, Hart scoring three tries. Nolan played a faultless game at fullback. There were several forwards of outstanding quality, with size and speed. The following players have boon chosen from the South Island by tho New Zealand selectors, Messrs A. A. Adams (West Coast), W. Pearson (Otago), K. McKenzie (Wairnrapn) and V. R. Meredith (Auckland), to take part in the All Black Possibles v. Probables matches, lo be played In Wellington next Thursday and Saturday : Fullback. —0. Gilbert (West Coast). Wing-threcquarters.—G. F. Ilart (Canterbury), T. Morrison (South Canterbury), E. Holder (IRiller). Cenlrc-threequariers.—-C. J. Oliver (Canterbury). N. Mitchell (Southland). halfback. —11. Simon (Otago). Forwards. —Front row: L. George (Southland), J- Horo (Otago), G. Adkins (South Canterbury), 0. HatlcrsIcy (Canterbury), G. Orman (Bullcr). Locks. — F. Vorr.ith (Otago), ,1. Best (Marlborough), R. King (Wesl Coast). •Side Row. — H. Deavoll (Cautcr-

bury), G. Giddings (South Canterbury), F. Green (Otago), L. Niven (Otago). Waikato Players Leave. The three Waikato players, J. Wynyard, J. Leeson and W. H. Carlson, who will participate in the final North Island trials at Palmerston North on Tuesday, left Hamilton on the Limited for the South last evening. There will be two Probables and Possibles matches in Wellington, one on Thursday and the final trial next Saturday.

BIG WELLINGTON MATCH.

SPECIAL RAIL EXCURSION

The final rugby trial match before tho 1935 All Black team is selected will be played at Wellington on Saturday, when the Dominion's leading players will take part in a Possibles v. Probables match. Dominion-wide interest Is centred In this fixture, and on this account special rail excursions have been arranged to enable rugby followers to be present at what promises to he one of the finest matches of the season. Waikato football enthusiasts will have an opportunity of witnessing the gamo as a special week-end excursion will he run to Wellington from Auckland. The train will leave Franklon at 10.3 p.m. on Friday next, leaving Wellington. on the return trip at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Special low return fares have been announced.