N.Z. League Team To Tour In Australia

Chronicle (Levin), 10 May 1948, Page 5

N.Z. League Team To Tour In Australia

press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, May 9. The New Zealand Rugby League team which will play eiglit matehes. in Australia between May 22 and June 15, was chosen by the, selectidri committee, 'Messrs. T. A. MeClymont, E. Iv. Asher and J. Amos, after the North Island v. South Island representative mateh on Saturday. The team is: — Fullbacks: W. S. Clarke (Auckland), age 28, weight 11st 41bs, height 5ft 7in: AI. Rich (Auckland), 23, I2st 81b, oft llin. ...... , . v AVing three-quarters: J. Porrest (West .Co.a.st.), 24, 12st.91b, oft 10in, A. W. MeKenz'ie (Ganterbury), 23, 12st 71b, oft llin; D. Redmond (Auckland), 24, 12st 41b, oft lOin. ' Centre three-quarters: A. V. Wilep (Auckland), 27, , 12st 41b, 6ft j D. Anderson (Auckland), 21, 11st 81b, 5ft 9in; M. Robertson (Auckland), 22. 11 st 101b, 5ft llin. Five-eighths: A. Graham (Auckland), 28, 11st 21b, 5ft 8in; V. Belsham (Auckland), 22, lOst 81b, 5ft 7in. Halfbacks: RV Cunningahm (Auckland), 25, 11st 51]), oft 8in; D. Barchard (Auckland), 25, 12st 21b, 5ft 6in. Forwards: ^ront row, C. Hurndell (Auckland), 21, 14st 101b, 6ft; J. Newton (West Coast), 27, 14st 121b, 6ft 2in; J. Johnson (Auckland), 30, 15st, Oft. Hookers: P. Smith (Canterbury) 32, 14st 101b, 5ft llin; R. Aynsley (AVest Coast), 26, "13st 21b, 5ft 9in. Second row: C. McBride (AVest Coast), 23, 13st 21b, 5ft 8in; J. Dukes (Canterbury), 30, i3st 61b, Oft; A. Hambleton '(South Auckland) 23, 14st 41b, 6ft .lin. Back row:" K. Mountford (West Coast), 24, 12st. 41b, 5ft 8in; T. Hardwick (Auckland), 26, 13st 21bv 6ft. Six of the team — Rich, Redmond, Wiles, Belshaw, Dukes and Hambleton — ara- new internationals. The remaining.16 were members of the Kiwi team which toured England and France from Sep°tember to February last. Redmopd is a recent convert from Rugby. The team leaves for Sydney -by plane 011 May 17. Messrs. W. A. Swift ( Auckland) and V. M. Simpson (Wellington) have already been appointed managers. The «appointment of captain and vice-captain will not be made until later in the week but it is almosL certain that Smith and Graham, who held fthe offices in the Kiwi team in England and France, will be reappointed. Smith suffered a broken nose in the game on Saturday but has been classified fit to play in a fortnight. The itinerary for the tour is: May 22 v. New South Wales at Sydney, May 23 v. Combined Country at Wollongong, "May 29 v. Australia (first test) at Sydney, June 2 v. Northern New South Wales at Armidale, June 5 v. Queensland at Brisbane, June 6 v. Roekhampton at Roekhampton, June 12 v. Australia (second test) at Brisbane, June 14 v. Newcastle at Newcastle. The possibility that the team would play three or four matehes on its refcurn to New, Zealand, Was mentioned by the president of the New Zealand couneil, Mr. J. A. Redwood, at a re- . ception to the players on Saturday. It was suggested the team should , play

four matehes at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Greymouth. Mr. Red wood said it was not yet possible to say whether the fixtures coiild be arranged but the couneil recognised there was a strong wishvfor a sight of a representative New Zealand team and it was anxious to arrange a short* tour if possible.