TO-DAY’S BIG RUGBY TEST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 274, 13 August 1921, Page 8

TO-DAY’S BIG RUGBY TEST

GLOOMY WEATHER PROSPECTS GROUND WILL BE HEAVY THE SPRINGBOKS’ TEAM By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Dunedin, August 12. Rain has been falling steadily for the greater part of tho day, and the weather prospects for to-morrow’s test match with the Springboks are gloomy. The ground at Carisbrook is very heavy, but men will be put on to fork tho heaviest part of it to-morrow morning, to let the water away as much as possible, and if tho wind, which is blowing to-night, continues, the weather may break and the ground improve. There is certain to be a large attendance, including many visitors from the North Island. The Springboks’ team has not been issued for publication yer, but it probably will be as follows: — P. G. Morkel. Henry Morkel, Clarkson, Meyer, Zeller. J. Michau, Townsend. "Boy” Morkel, Ellis, Kinger, Duplessis, Walker, Mellish, Harry Morkel, Mostert. The most notable absentees are De Koch, who is still unable to play, and Van Rooyen, who received an injury in tho Otago match, but who should be right again in a few days. A. L. M'Lean has dropped out of the Now Zealand team owing to his injured knee, and Fogarty (Taranaki) has gone in. Badeley is still first five-eighths, but there is a possibility of Mark Nicholls being placed at first and Badeley at second.

The weights of the New Zealand team are: —

Kingston (list.). Steele (13st: 61b.) Aitken (12st. 41b.)

'Storey (12st. 81b.). M. Nicholls (list.), Badeley (lOst. 81b.). H. E. Nicholls (9st. 121 b.).

Donald (wing-forward, 13st)., Fogarty (13st. 31b.), Bellis (list. 81b.), White (13st.), b Richardson (list. 81b.), Moffitt (list. 101 b.), Hughes (12st. 81b.), Duncan (13st.).

In the pack New Zealand’s seven men weight 95st. 91b. to the Springboks’ 109st. 111 b. The average weight of all the New Zealand six forwards is 13st. 81b., and that of the Springboks’ forwards named 13st. 101 b.

A Press Association telegram dispatched from Dunedin at 11 o’clock last night stated that by ten o’clock a decided change for the better took place, the clouds dispersing, and a stiff breeze from the north-east rising. There was good hope that the ground would have recovered sufficiently for good play when tho game commences. These hopes are confirmed by a gradually rising barometer. The town is full of visitors, all trains arriving during the day being crowded, and should the weather conditions be favourable it is anticipated that the "gate” will eclipse all previous records. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON. Tho representative Rugby match Wellington v. Canterbury, is creating an unusual amount of interest. The booking of seats has been very heavy. The visitors appear to be the heaviest team that Eos come from Canterbury for some time. By their victories over tho Springboks, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wairarapa, they have shown their quality. The Wellington back combination contains some new blood, and the fact that each man will at last be playing in his accustomed place should go far to assist Wellington. ' ' The junior representative game is expected to bo a good one. Wairarapa should have more combination than the local men, as they are returning from a successful tour of Nelson and Marlborough. Those who witnessed the sixth grade final (IVcllington College A v. Petone) curtain-raiser to tho Springboks will enjoy tho lower grade match today, when the same clubs will meet in the final of the fifth grade. Patrons are advised that they must enter the Park through tho turnstiles nt the northern end of the grandstand unless they hold season tickets or reserved scats. Holders of the latter will enter through the central gates and must show their tickets. There will bo no entrance at the back of the western bank and the south end of tho stand, but exits will be provided nt both places, as well as at the main gate. THE COMPETING TEAMS. The Canterbury team will bo as under : — Full-back, C. S. Orchard; three-quar-ters, G. 8. Wilson, H. Dailey, and H. Mullins; five-eighths, E. Fitzgerald and C. Deans; half, G. Burson; wing forward, N. Carnegie: bi<if, row, E. Cummings and W. Cummings (captain); sides. C. Murray and L. Peterson; lock, K. Henderson; hookers, J. Ellis and 11. G. Munro. Emergencies: J. A. Smart (forward), W. Henry and IV. R. Blazey (backs). The, Wellington team is as follows: — Fiill-fefSt, Siddells; three-quarters, D. Algar, E. Ryan, A. Jackson; five-eighths, P. Markham, Hutchison; half-back, J. Tunnington; wing forward, E. King: forwards, S. Standen, Arthur Parker, Bruce’ Duncan, T. Price, J. Shearer, F. M. Hanson. Emergencies: Backs, B. Algar and F. Tizyard; 'forwards, King (Oriental), and W. Ryan. E. Ryan has been elected captain. Mr. 0. Freeman has been appointed referee.

MAORI FOOTBALLERS PROPOSAL TO FORM A UNION. - In order primarily to ensure Maori footballers a greater measure of participation in international Rugby fixtures, a proposal is on foot to form a New Zealand Maori Rugby Football Union. One of tho promoters of the idea is Mr. Rangi Marumaru, of Data (Marton), and speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, he stated that the matter would be brought under the notice of the New Zealand Rugby Union at its next meeting. It was, he said, proposed to create a football competition exclusively for Maoris, and for this purpose a shield had already boon donated. The competition would bo open to any Maori fifteen of both Islands, and run strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the Rugby game in New Zealand. Alternative to the New Zealand Rugby Union governing the competition, it was suggested that a Maori Rugby Union should be established. The following names were, continued Mr. Marumaru, to be suggested to the New Zealand Rugby Union as provisional office-bearers for the new body: President, Hooroa Marumaru (Bulls); chairman A. Takarangi (Wanganui); treasurer, J. Richardson (Bulls); committee, >v. Downes (Rrt£i«, 'l'. Paranihi (-’•trlon). W. Winiata (Utiku), H. Jacoba (Levin), T. Potaka (Rata); secretary, R. Marumaru (Rata).

As regards boundaries, it is suggested that districts should be arranged on a provincial basis, each district to hove the Tight to challenge the holders between 0 May 1 and September 20. A further suggestion is that the travelling expenses of both teams taking part in a shield match should be paid out of gate takings, 25 per cent, of any surplus to go to tlie union in whose district tho match was played.

The following is the Oriental fourthgrade team for to-day;—N. Clarke, Conway, .Cawdell, Mathieson, Tulloch, Duffy, Cli ambers, Hepburn, Wilkins, Hickey, Simmons, Corby, Fisher, Wright, Ormandy, Smith. Tlie match, Wellington College v. Soots College, will be played on Wellington College ground to-day at 1-15 p.m. In the junior primary schools match, Inland Bay 17 defeated Clyde,,Quay 5.