ALL BLACK FORWARD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 2, 25 September 1937, Page 18

ALL BLACK FORWARD

retikement of c. s. pepper. A further member of the 1935 All Black Rugby side, which toured Great Britain, C. S. Pepper, a front row forward, has announced his retirement from representative football. Pepper commenced his football career in the junior ranks of the Manukau Club. His outstanding ability soon earned him a positidn in the senior fifteen, in which he first played in 1931. The next season saw him on the sideline owing to a kne injury, but the following year, 1933, marked the beginning of his fine record in representative matches, as he gained a place in the Auckland side in the last match of th^t season. Since then Pepper has represented Auckland regularly. He proved to be one of the "finds" of the trials for the selection of the 1935 All Blacks. During the toiir he played in 16 of the 28 matches and was considered one of the most unlucky members of the party not to gain international honours. He was one of the fastest forwards in the* team and earned very favourable comment from the critics for his solid play and incessant following up. / On his return from this tour Pepper again s'ecured a place in the Auckland team, but did not talce part in the trials for the All Black teams to play the Australians last season. However, he v/as selected to participate in the trials at Wellington last July, in which he showed good form. A lack of weight has proved Pepper's greatest handicap. He has proved himself a brilliant forward on

numerous occasions, one of his best displays being for Auckland against the "Springboks this year. Pepper has also been an excellent club member, taking a great interest in the progress of the Manukau junior sides, especially since his return from Great Britain. He is now residing at North Shore, and, while it is his present intention to retire from club football as well, his close friends cor.sider that he may turn out for the North Shore fifteen next season if required.