ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1848, 6 September 1913, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

. RUGBY TEST. DOMINION & NEW SOUTH WALES. PERSONNEL OF TEAMS. For to-day's Rugby test, Australia v. New Zealand, tho teams will bo as follow :— Australia.—Full-back, W. J. Macmalion (Queensland), 9. Three-nuartors, E. Carr (X.S.W.), 3: L. Wogan (N.S.W.), 5: H. Jones (N.S.W.), G; D. Sutter (N.S.W.), 4. Halves; W. D. Taskor (X.S.W.), 7; F. Wood (N.S.W.), 8. Forwards, W. Watson (N.S.W.), 14: C. O'Doimoll (N.S.W.), 13; H. Georgo (N.S.W.), 12; E. Falioy (N.S.W.), lo: G. Wallach (N.S.W.), 16: W. Cody (N.S.W.), 21; F. Thompson (N.S.W.), 24; P. Murphy (Queensland), 20. Reserves: J. Flynn (Queensland), 11; L. Mielnisch (Queensland), 10; D. Williams (Queensland), IS; R. B. llill (N.S.W.), 17 : and 15. D. Hughes (N.S.W.), 22. Now Zealand. —Full-back, J; Stolir (Taranaki), 22. Three-quarters, T. W. Lynch (South Canterbury), 4; H. Cuthill (Otago), 17 j A. J. M'Gregor (Auckland), 19. Five-eighths, J. M'Konzio (Wellington), 7; G. D. Gray (Canterbury), 8. Half, H. Taylor (Canterbury), 6. AVingforward, H. V. Murray (Canterbury), 18. Forwards, P. Williams (Otago), 10; G. Sellars (Auckland), 20; J. Downing (Auckland), 15; Atkinson (West Coast), 13; J. T. Wylio (Auckland), 16; H. Dowar (Taranaki), 1; A. M'Donald (Otago), 11. Reserves: E-. Roberts (Wellington), 2; Loveridge (Taranaki), 3; J. 13. Graham (Otago), 6; F. Mitohinson (Wellington), 9; J. Douglas (Otago), 12; Cain (Taranaki), 14; J . A. Bruco (Auckland), 21; and R. Roberts (Taranaki), 23. Stolir, of Taranaki, has been selected to play full-back in the New Zealand team to-day, but thero is said to be some doubt about his ability to fill the position. Should ho drop out of to-day's hfteen, Loveridge will till tho gap. E. Roberts, of Wellington, could not bo chosen, as ho has not had sufficient time to recover from tho knock ho received on tho leg iu the Taranaki match a fortniglit ago. Ho will bo all right for tho American games. Mr. L. Simpson has been' appointed referee for this afternoon. It is understood that Mr. Geo. Nicholson, "of Auckland, will bo asked'to control tho second test at Dunedin. Tho Australians were very pleased with tho way he controlled their game at Auckland,' and the executive of tho Now Zealand Union is practically giving tho visitors a free hand in tho choice of referees. In connection , with to-day's match at Athletic Park, tho New Zealand Union is distributing something liko 5000 free programmes giying names of players and tho numbers to bo- worn on jerseys. In order that seating accommodation in tho stand may liot bo overtaxed, admission will be by ticket only. The number of tickets will be limited, and when all are sold tho stand will bo closed to the public. CIVIC RECEPTION. .. TO NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. A civic reception was tendered tho Australian Rugby Union football team at the Town Hall yesterday. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), in welcoming tho visitors to the city of Wellington, assured them that they would meet sturdy foes in this part of tho world. Ho referred to tho valuo of tho amateur gamo iu building character, and reminded tbo visitors of tho close relations oxisting betweou Australia and New Zealand in politics ' and'sport. If ho could do auything to make their stay in Wellington enjoyable, he was at their service. . Mr. Mason, manager of the Now Zoa- , laiid team for California, congratulated tho Australians on tho rapid strides that had been made by tliem in ltugby during the last few years. When ho saw the .team ho was perfectly satisfied with tho standard of the gamo on the other sido.. ilo regretted very much tho accident to the team's captain (Mr. Dwyer), who, he understood, would not, it .was likely, be able to play again on the tour. Mr. N. Galbraith, on behalf of tho executive of the New Zealand Union, also spoko a few words of welcomo. Ho thought that tho Australians were to bo congratulated in tho splendid fight which they had put up against tho League game. He, too, regretted the accident that had befallen Mr. Dwyer. Mr. Morgan, manager of tho Australian team, thanked the Mayor and Messrs. Mason and Galbraith for the' welcome to this —should he say windy ?— city. He had been warned .that they would get plonty of .wind here, and since visiting the ground that morning ho was satisfied that straw hats were of no uso in Now Zealand. (Laughter.) He hoped that the game would bo played under tho most favourable conditions, though tho grounds horo woro rather soft for tho Australians' system of play. Notwithstanding tho loss of their captain, they hoped to bo able . to put up a gamo that would show New Zealand that they were not affected by the inroads' of tho professional gamo. He believed that tho Rugby players in Australia were better than they wero before tho coming of tho League gamo, and lie was sure that the best Rugby fifteen would defeat any League combination to-day.' Ho thought that in a few years Rugby .would occupy tho same position with the public that it did years ago. New South Wales and Queensland Were very much indobted' to New Zealand for enabling them to mako this trip, and they hoped to bo able to return these kindnesses when the New Zealanders visited tho Commonwealth. ■ CHEMISTS' MATCH. Tho following team has been chosen ' to represent the local wholesale and retail chemists in their match with tho Christchurch chemists on Newtown Park at 1 p.m. to-day:—Donaldson, Masters, Reeves, Johnston, Sandman, Shcehan, ' Aldcrsley, Ryan, Roberts, Wilson, Booth, Wainright, Arthur, Ilascll, AJdridge. 'Tho team leaves tho New Zealaudor Hotel at 12.15 sharp. SUCCESSFUL FIFTEEN. At tho Oriental dance on Thursday night Mr. W. Perry, of tho Rugby Union, presented the cup won by tho Oriental third-clftS3 team this season. Tho' cup was given by Mr. Card, tho well-kiiown referee. Mr. Len. Avery, captain of tho thirds, responded.