RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. TARANAKI TO-DAY. One of tho most important representative Rugby matches of tho season takes place at Athletic Park to-day, when Taranaki will meet Wellington. This year the Taranaki representatives are undertaking a bigger tour than has bean undertaken in any previous year, for, in addition to visiting .Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, they cross to the West Coast. So far tho Wellington representatives havo not been beaten this season, and tho Taranaki tram has also an unbeaten record, so that a good match may bo looked for to-day. Of tho twenty-two men on tour, the following havo been selected for to-day's contest:— Full-back: L. Hill. Threo-fiuarters : .. Cameron, Roberts, Stohr. Five-eighths: M'Lcod, Mynott. . Half: Brown. Winger: Coleman. Forwards: Cain, Osborne, Young, Smith, Hawkins, Wliittington, Dewar. Emergencies: Back, Prince; forward, Ward. The team has b;en selected for a dry ground, and tho forwards aro faster than, but not as heavy as, the usual run of Taranaki forwards. Should the rain continue thera will be some changes in tho team. The Wellington team, will bo as selected, with the two alterations already published. Mr. E. M'Kenzie, of Carterton, will act as referee. As a "curtain-raiser" to the big match, Auckland Grammar School will oppose Wellington Collego at 1.30 p.m. CORRESPONDENT'S COMPLAINT. The following critique by a hockey man sufficiently explains his motif in writing: Sir,—l. hope you will give expression per medium of your Saturday morning's edition to the following criticism of the Wellington representative hockey forwards, chiefly suggested by one of the Auckland representatives. A . close observer would have noticed that the Auckland full-backs' brilliance was brought about largely by the play of the local forwards themselves. 'In tho course of a conversation wit'i Robinson (Auckland's right-half) I mentioned their brilliant backs, and he laughed, and said thai "they knew our game off rat." He said that they know that if G. Strack had the ball he would go right through or pass to the left. They acted accordingly, and h.ow. successfully is shown by that player's inability to score. Again, Robinson said that they had Loader s "set" game off to a nicety! They knew that if one rushed Loader "the other Kick could wait between Davies and G. Strack, and bo sure of getting that characteristic centre of Loader's. Speight puzzled tho Wellington forwards, but his game was simple, lie waited and got those "centres'" every time in the ranie place. I have not been a spectator or all this year's representative matches, but 1 would iiku to sea two changes in style—Strack to work the right more, and Loader to do mora short, nippy pa'siug between Davie." and Strack. for the short pass is far bettoT to "beat" on opponent, as well as l>eing more effective with fast forwards. The long pass (especially with the speed Loader travels, at) should be the occasional, not the rule.—l am, etc., HOCKEYITE.

KETONE AND PONEKE. [Continued from Sports Pago/j Although the Petone-Ponoke contest last week did not have a. direct effect on the championship, it was a good tussle, and was worthy of both teams. The only point that interfered with tho play at all was tho erratic decisions of the relereo, and his "inch measure" tactics on lineout play. Spectators have giumblcd for years about the breaches that occur, on tho lire-out, but whoa it is judged by inches there is n grievance. Or, in fact, there is no .grievance at all. It'might,' perhaps, bo merely the dreadful state,of tho Rugby Tules interpreted by a conscientious official. One of the linesmen was in a "taihoa" mood, and this is really a caso which should bo investigated. Following on their latest improvement, Petone played 3—2—l in the scrum, and this was also adopted by Poneke to advantage in tho second spall. Petone had it all their own way among the backs for a start, but the boot was on the other foot in tho closing stages, when Poneke woro hammering away "all but." Potono's vanguard throughout was superior, and with that illusive fetish—"a little more experience"—should more than hold their own. Wm. Ryan, Dent, aid M'Farlano are a trio hard to boat, and with two wings like Ashton and Lindsay, made some great onslaughts. Poneke have _ groat men, particularly tho two Calcinais and Brewor, who "served it up" good and hard throughout. The Red and Black rearguard were a littl* disappointing. 1 Tilyard was their best man. Mitchinson was "off colour." Elliot showjd sparkles of dash, and Prendevillo was the most lucky man in tho field. The suburban backs fumbled badly for a start, but greatly improved, Jas. Ryan's line-kicking was unexcelled. Daley was nippy and resourceful, and Ramsden and M'Kenzio were'safe and thorough. Tho onlookers at Petone have a habit of liooting when their sido is behind. They do not, however, ■ hoot anybody in particular, as a rule, and the exhibition is on that very account qnito natural and quito pardonable. NELSON COLLEGE. The Nelson College KugTJy Football team was entertained at Godber's, Cuba Street, last night by. the Wellington branch of the Nelson College Old Boys' Association. There was a large attendance. Among "old boys"., present were Messrs. Francis Richmond, E. A. Mabin, Leo Buckeridge. T. R. Fleming, J. G. Harkness, and Dr. Gibbs. Among P'B toasts was "The School," which forth many words of interest and reminiscence. Sir. Barlfcrop presided. The team plays Auckland Grammar School, on Athletic Park, to-day. Tho match is to be a curtain-raiser to tho Wellington-Taranaki Rugby match. ARE THEY DROPPING AWAY? (By TelcKraoh—Press Association.) Christchurch, August 25. Speaking to a "Press" representative today regarding the statement circulated that certain members of the Wanganui football team (nt present in Christchurch) proposed to go over to the Northern U won game, tho manager of the tea n stated that there was "No foundation whatever" for tho statement, for not one of tho team proposed to break his amateur status on return from tho tour." Tho following will repiesent Gregg's in the soveu-a-jido • tournament to-day :— Tinney, Bsilcy, Ambrose, Schulenbbrg, Lawrence, Bense. • . ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND FOURTH'DIVISION. Tho following players will represent Auckland in tho Fourth Division reprccntntive game to-morrow-.—Goal, R. Champtalonp; barks, C. Kent. A. Newcomb; halve. S. Wynyard, L. Bennett. H. Douhl.m (captain); forward'. A. Fowler, W. i Charteris, G. St»wnrt, D. M'Phcrson, J. Parker. R«ervt: E. Orr. COEINTHIAN3-R A OTLERS. (Continued from "World of Sport.") Corinthians pnt up a very poor fisriit against Ramblers nt the Basin Reserve last Saturday. Even Tv« made anything but a good showing, and was very easily robbed nf Oho ball. Gregory played a go<;d gamo at half-back, but the rest of the team were vetry moderate. On Ramblers' side, Campbell was very lucky. He scorned to be in the right, place when a goal was to be scored. Smallbone played good football, and seems to be tho only man we havo who understands the outside-right position. Edwards, on the other side, appears to have the same nndorstandini;. and the Ramblers Clnb apparently possess the two men for the outsido 'position* in our representative team. .lackson, at half, is also worth considering. His tackling anil placing is superior to that of most of onr halves, while j'art at centre-forward was easily heller lhan Ives, who is the mue.h-talked-of candidate for that position. Cross and Davey are the build of men for backs. 'The former is still eoc.l. but Davey is very reckless. Webster was not troubled.