WHO’S WHO IN THE TEAM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 10

WHO’S WHO IN THE TEAM.

SPEEDY THREE-QUARTERS. FORWARDS, SHOULD GO WELL. J. M. TAYLOR, (Otago).—Taylor played extremely well in tho successful Otago team last season, and in this year’s trials ho proved himself clearly tho best fullback in Now Zealand. A very long anil accurate kicker, and. a brilliant fielder of the ball both in tho air and on-the ground. Taylor falls short of the ideal-full-hack in only one respect —ho-is not a- groat , tackier as Nepia was, although as a rule his tack, ling is sound enough. He is an enterprising player who appreciates the possibilities of initiating attacks for lm own team. J. DICK (Auckland).—A fast winger, with a very elusive side-step, Dick was chosen for the North Island fast year, but it was not until this . year’s trial games that he distinguished himself. He had_ previously been passed over when the North Island team was selected. J. L. SULLIVAN (Taranaki).—A representative player since 1934, Sullivan began to attract the attention of the critics Inst season, and in the inter-island match lie justified his reputation. He is very fast and a straight runner. Ho played. on tho wing- in the inter-island match this year, but injury prevented him playing in tho later ■ trials.-

D. G. COBDEN (Canterbury).—A member of a football family, Cobden came into the Canterbury representative team for the first time last season, and played with distinction though handicapped by injuries. Though tall and big, and though his fend makes .him hard to stop, , lie does not -rely on his weight to carry him over. Ho has football brains, and is a master of the short punt and follow-up, a method that has brought him many tries, including one in this year’s inter-island match. INSIDE BACKS. D. TREVATHAN (Otago).—Ono of tho most discussed players in New . Zealand football for many years. Trcvathan’s chief claim to fame is his remarkable kicking ability, both place-kicking and drop-kick-ing. Ho scored the' amazing, total of 78 points for Otago in interprovincial games last season. As a first live-eighth lie is solid rather than brilliant, but is always thoroughly reliable. J. A. HOOPER (Canterbury).—Ono of the most promising five-eighths who have come forward in recent seasons, Hooper has lately added a certain amount of solidity to his undoubted brilliance on attack. He played a really brilliant game lor the South Island this year, leaving the defence standing with his amazing speed off the mark and his elusive swerve.

H. SIMON (Otago).—Has been a valu able member of tho Otago team lor several seasons, although his form has varied anti he has not always held his place. At his best in wet weather and on a muddy ground, Simon is an enterprising and courageous half-back. In Now Zealand trials and inter-island matched he ha* not. always been able to maintain his reputation.

THE FORWARDS.

D. DALTON (Hawke’s Bay).—Dalton came to the front as hooker for Hawke’s Bay in 1934 and earned selection in the 1935 team. He was unlucky in being kept out of many games by injury, but his all-round ability earned him selection in two international matches. He retained his placo in the New Zealand side against Australia last year.

A. LAMBOURN (Wellington).—A Now Zealand representative in 1934 and 1935, Lambourn failed to find a place in the teams that played Australia last year. He is a rugged toiler with few spectacular qualities. He gets his chance again through the loss of form of W. E. Hadley, to whom he was understudy as hooker on the British tour.

E. S. JACKSON (Hawke’s Bay).—A young player who has nevertheless had a fairly long experience of representative football, Jackson is the son of F. S. Jackson, a member of the Anglo-Welsh team which toured New Zealand in 1908. Ho has played for the North Island for three .years and last season was a New Zealand and Now Zealand Maori representative. R. M. McKENZIE (Manawatu). —McKenzie has played for New Zealand for three successive years. Originally a loose forward almost exclusively, lie has learned the essentials of tight play and is a brilliant man in the line-out. He is ona of the finest forwards Manawatu has ever produced. S. T. REID (Hawke’s Bay).—His representative experience dates from 1929, but he did not secure his New Zealand cap until the 1935 tour. Ho was one of the best forwards in the team. Last season he played for New Zealand again and captained the Maoris against Australia. R. R. KING (West Coast).—A New Zealand representative for three years, King was New Zealand’s hest forward on the 1935 tour of Grent Britain. He excels in every department of forward play and is a great team or pack leader. j G. RANKIN (Canterbury).—A young player who has revived, the wing-forward tradition of New Zealand football, Rankin is one of the best loose forwards New Zealand has had for many years. After representing Canterbury for two years he gained his New Zealand cap against Australia last season.

A A. PARKIIILL (Otago).—Another very fast forward, Parkhill was one of the outstanding packmen in the successful Otago side last year. He impressed by his fine all-round ability in the trial matches at Wellington.