MAORI RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 4

MAORI RUGBY

CHALLENGE FIXTURE PRINCE OF WALES CUP NORTHERN DEFENDERS HEAVY FORWARDS A strong and -weighty side has been selected toy IMr. N. Parata, sole selector, to represent the Te Waipounamu Maori Rugby team in the challenge match for the Prince of Wales Cup, to be played on the Oval to-morrow. The game is regarded as one of marked importance toy the Maori players, as it is a trial match for selection of the New Zealand Maori team to -play the Fijians in Hamilton. The challengers were handicapped in their selection toy the fact that several of the leading southern Maoris, including K-otua, Mellish and Mason, are required for a Seddon -Shield match to be played to-morrow. Despite this, however, Mr. Parata has assembled a strong fifteen and is confident that they have excellent prospects -c-f taking the Cup to the South Island. Scoring Winger < Keen interest will toe displayed in the appearance of the Maori All Black and ’Varsity representative, Steele, of Otago University, claimed toy 'Mr. Parata to toe one of the (best scoring wingers in the Dominion. The halfback, Paewai, .also -will be watched with interest as he is a brother of the former All Black - player, Louis Paewai. The team .will toe captained by the Canterbury forward, Toby Robinson. Three changes have been made in the Tairawhiti team owing to the inability of the wingers, Taite and Rika, and a forward, J. Lincoln, to take their places in the side. The -wingers are being replaced by Pakimana and Walford, and -Peter Smith 'will replace Lincoln. The holders will toe led toy S. T. Reid, the Maori international player, and are confident that they will retain the trophy. The South Island players toad a run at the Oval this morning and took the opportunity to shake off some of the effects of their long journey to Gisborne. -Some of the players who live beycud Southland have been travelling since Monday last. The teams are announced as follows, the players’ weights also being shown: Te Waipounamu (Challengers) Full-iback, P. Parata (North Otago), 13st. 51b.; three-quarters, H. Steele (Otago), list. 51to:, T. Kawe (Otago), list. 91b., J. McKay (Southland), 12st.; five-eighths, L. Broughton (Otago), list. 61b., T. E. Love (Marlborough), list. 121'b.f half-hack, N. Paewai (Otago), list. 121ib. Forwards. —Front row, W. Wynyard (Canterbury), 14st. 'Bllb., SB. Ward (Golden Bay-Motueka), 15st., D. E. Mason (Marlborough), 14st. 61!b.; middle row, A. West (Southland), 13st, 41b,, Toby Rotoinson (Canterbury), captain, 14st. ’lOllb., P. West (Southland), 13St. 101 b., D. Ward (Golden Bay-Motueka), 13st. 6Tb.; 'back row, T. Bates (Cental Otago),pl3st. Emergencies, H. Merritt (Otago), list. 121 b., D. Love (Marlborough), 12st. 81'b. Tairawhiti (Holders)

Full-back, G. Harvey (Wairoa), 12st. 81ib.; three-quarters, N. Walford (Hawke’s Bay), 14st., E. Howell (Bay of Plenty), 13st., Pakimana (Wairoa), 12st.; five-eighths, T. Wi Repa (East Coast), 13st„ N. Whaanga (Gidborne High -School), 12st. 71!b.; half-back, Ahiipeni (Bay of Plenty)^list. Forwards.—Front row, S. Jackson (Hawke’s Bay), 15st. 6Lb„ J. McClutdhie (East Coast), 14st. 21b., E. Jackson (Hawke’s Bay), 14st. 10!!b.; middle row, S. T. Reid (Hawke’s Bay), captain, l'sst., M. McDonald (Hawke’s Bay), Tsst. 811 b, D. Tuhoro (East Coast), 15st. 101 b„ P. Smith (Hawke’s Bay), 14st. 2lib.; back row, T. McClutehie (East Coast), 16st. lib. The referee will be Mr. A. E. Ingram.