MANAWATU PLAYER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 1 July 1937, Page 9

MANAWATU PLAYER.

FORM WELL REWARDED. J. FINLAY’S INCLUSION. (By “Front Row.”) Satisfaction will be felt by Rugby football followers in the Manawatu at the inclusion of Jack Finlav (Feilding Old Boys) as a front row forward in the Probables team tor the All Black trial. Finlay was a hooker for Manawatu in the match against Wanganui a few weeks ago. and his brillia.nt display there could not have failed, as “Front Row” commented at the time, to please Mr M. F. Nicholls, one of the North Island selectors, who saw the match. Finlay scored seven of Manawatu’s ten points in this match (a try of his own and two conversions). He contributed 15 points' to Manawatu’s tall score against Southern Hawke’s Bay, making a total ol 22 which he had secured in the first two representative matches of the season. Finiay, who has been a Manawatu representative for the seasons 1934-35-36-37, is 21 years of age, weighs 13st 21b and is oft lOin in height. His football career started at Christchurch, where he played in the Boys’ High School first fifteen. His first senior season was with Feilding Old Boys in 1934. He is very fast in the loose, handles with the ability of a back, is a good place-kicker, and can hold his own among tne best as a front row forward. For three years a Horowhenna representative, H. Anderson, whose brother plavs for £>t. Patrick’s at Palmerston North, has been selected as a front row forward for the Possibles. Anderson, who was the only player nominated by the Horowhenua Union, is 21 years' of age, and hails from Shannon, ire is strong and of stocky build, and played a fine game recently against the Manawatu B representatives. Anderson has played Rugby for four yen rs. Two former Manawatu representative players selected for the trial teams are M. W. Devine and Fraser Smith, both Wellington middle row forwards. The former originally played for I eliding Old Bovs. He has represented Manawatu (two seasons ago) Wa.irarapa and Wellington. Fraser omitn was a Wairarapa representative before coming to this centre, where he played for Old Boys and Manawatu, later going to Wellington. Manawatu is also represented in the North Island tpam to meet the South Island (published on page 16) for which the Kia Toa captain and 1934 and 1900 All Black. R. M. McKenzie, who took part in both the Australian a.nd British tours, lias been selected as a middle row forward. McKenzie, whose form lias been outstanding in Manawatu s two representative matches this season. is 26 years of_ age. 6 feet in height and weighs lost lib.