RUGBY TEST

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 3

RUGBY TEST

FORTY PLAYERS CHOSEN. BY X.Z. SELECTORS, illy Telegraph—Per Press'Association WELLINGTON, May 22. The Now Zealand Rugby selector have’chosen the following forty play ers ilor the trial at Wellington on Jim • 3rd, in view of the selection of a team for Australia— BACKS. Nepia (East Co st), TToa.dewoo ’ (Wellington), Anderson 'Waikato' Kushbrook (’Wellington'). Carlson (Wanganui), Geddes (Southland), Waterman (North Auckland), Grenside (Hawke’s Bay), Stringfellow (Wairarapa), Carleton (Canterbury), Lilburno (Canterbury), Hook (Auckland), Gundy (Wairarapa), Oliver (Canterbury), Johnson (Taranaki), Leys (Wellington),- Dailey (Canterbury), Kilby (Wanganui). FORWARDS. Porter (Wellington), MeEwan '’Southland), Palmer (Auckland), Reid (Wairarapa), Souter (Otago), Cottrell (Canterbury), Cathcart (Auckland) Sonntag (Otago), Reside (Wairarapa). Bird (Southland), Baldwin (Taranaki), McWilliams (Auckland), Steere (Hawke’s Bay), Rika (North Auckland), Freitas ''West Coast), Mahoney (Bush Districts), Coulston (Wanganui) Thomas (Poverty Bay), Batchelor (Southland), 1 Kivell (Tilranaki), Marslin (Otago), Snow (Nelson). ’VARSITY TEAM WIN. THEIR FIRST MATCH. WELLINGTON, May 22. The Australian Universities team considerably surprised 6000 spectators’ at Athletic Park this aOernoon by l defeating Victoria University, last year’s champion Wellington club team, by try and a penalty goal to a try, in ‘lie opening match of their Dominion tour. The game afforded an interest'ng comparison* between the orthodox gamhi New South Wales, and the New Zealand system of play. It was a triumph fur pace. 'The youthful Sydney University which included one Melbourne man in Nair. who played wing-three-quar-ter. owed their victory to their pace. Victoria College, who are considered to have exceptionally fast backs, appeared slow by comparison, and each time the local rearguard attempted uassing the visiting backs pounced upon them like sparrow hawks. There was no score in the first spell. ,hu ! Blakeney scored a try in the second spell from a line-out, Ramson’s at tempt at conversion being forfeited because the ball was handled twice. The Australians equalised the scores shortly afterwards by one of the prettiest concerted movements imaginable. From a scrum, Lomport shot the leather out to Nicholas, who haude on to Barker, and then D. Kennedv. the other centre, came like a flash t take a pass and leave the opposition standing. McMullen put over a penalty goal from in 'front of the posts, about the quarter mark. Victoria College strove frantic-nil' to equalise the scores, hut Ramson failed with two long distance pounltv kicks and the visitors scored a welldeserved victory. -ne visitors played the same brand of Rugby as the New South Wales team which so delighted everyone by their open play in New Zealand lasi season. To-day these visiting youngsters several of whom are only seventeen years of age, frequently started passing rushes by shooting the leather to the scrum half 'from the line-outs. Th e team left by the ferry steamer to-night for Christchurch, where theplay Canterbury University College <r Saturday. McMullen, the visitors’ full-hack. ; as solid as rock on defence. His fielding and gathering were faultier to-day, and his accurate and powerful line kicking had applause going frequently.