Senior Reps: No Surprises General Public Approval

Chronicle (Levin), 23 June 1949, Page 7

Senior Reps: No Surprises General Public Approval

The Horowhenua Rugby Union's try-out of a sole selector for senior representative football seems to have worked very well and Mr. Don Oliver has chosen a team for Saturday's game with Manawatu which certainly meets with general public' approval. Many of those selected have played themselves into their positions, some of them almost unopposed, notably the back line, On the whole the team this year should be better than that of last season. Last year's team certainly made its presence felt. This one should do better.

The back line is practically identical with that which p.ayed at Shannon on the King's Birthday and, judging by its performance then, it shouid have . complete understanding and co-ordinadon omy it is°to be hoped that. the halfLaek does nots run to much. Like those in the back line, many of the forwards played themseives in. one in particmar, being Winterburn. On his present form, Horowhenua is- lucky to have Bi.'l Galloway in the team to meet Manawatu. Many a game is won with points scored from penalty kicks, and it cannot be denied that Galloway will be a big asset to his side in this capachy. He is aiso an excepiional line kicker, and both he and Cufin Murtimer are quite capab e of collecting field goals. The average we-ght of the forwards is 13st 8ibs and this is very satisfactory. When it comes to lineout work, it appears that Horowhenua wi.i have 10 look to Graham Bryant, who is well over six feet, and. with the aid of the Robinson brcthers, he demonstrated at Manakau or the Saturday before last that he certainly knows how. It is unfor-

tunate that the team has m t go Woods (Shannon) to help Bryant.

The chances of, securing pcssession in the scrums appear to be very bright, the pack beinp- reasonab y heavy and fit, carrying no surplus weignt. Ian Robinson has been hooking well and both Dovie and Noonan are well experienced in the front row, particulariy Noonan who has shown his knowledge of the game. Taking the team on the whole, it is a sound one and shou d credit ably represent Horowhenua. Selector Don Oliver is to be congratulated? on the able way in which h' has gone about his selection. It will be interesting to see how the team functions on Saturday if ,at is wet, as so far this season nearly all senior games liave been play - led with a dry ball. - It does not appear; however, that , Horowhenua has much to fear as it is a versatile combination and, under the experienced guidance of the trainer. Mr. "Wat'ie" O'Donnell, they shou'd be well prepared for any such contingency.