THE NATIONAL GAME.

Shannon News, 18 July 1924, Page 2

THE NATIONAL GAME.

ALL BLACK MATCH* The decision, of the Mana.watu Rugby Union tc? assemble the Rorowhe-nua-Manawatu representatives, who will meet the All Blacks on the 26th, at Palmerston North for a week’s training, has given general satisfaction. The necessity of this, if combination is to he achieved, has now j received general recognition, as no matter how good individual players j may 'be, only combination, which is j the result of combined practice, will; insure victory under the strong com-: petition which, fortunately, rules to- 1 day. Although the team has not been definitely picked, the ten Horowhenua possibles selected, meet with the general approval of football supporters, as being the best available. McLean’s inclusion is a tardy recognition of a good player and gives general satisfaction. ; . . Unfortunately there is some doubt of a number of~the Horowhenua men being able to go to (Palmerston North for the necessary time and the selectors have been, rightly, emphatic that only those 1 who undergo the training will be included in the team. However, regrettable it might be that a local man, who would otherwise be a certainty, may be excluded as the result of this determination, in the interests of the game the stand is a wise one and all sportsmen will be glad to note the firm; attitude taken.

NOTES ON THE PLAY. The result of the Wanderers—Hui Mai match at Manakau on Saturday must, be looked upon as satisfactory by everybody, with the possible exception of Wanderers themselves, who can not be expected to acquiesce in their' defeat. The result of the game leaves four teams, Wanderers, Otaki, Hui Mai and Weraroa in the competition whereas had Wanderers won and ajdideid another to their existing 16 points, the championship would have been to all intents' and purposes, won. As it stands at present Wanderers with 10 games played leads the n<jxt team,, Weraroa, also with ten games, by one point. Hut Mai with nine games had had six wins and a draw which leaves that team three points behind the leading team, the extra game, however, if won reducing this to one point. Weraroa with five wins and two draws have twelve points to their credit, with an extra game to play which leaves them standing at a possible 14 points, and with the scoring as close as this anything is possible. From report Hui Mai thoroughly deserved their win. The team has apparently made a complete recovery from the lethargy into which it fell early in the present season;, and shows every evidence of hard training and able coaching. The big forwards made every use of their weight and headed by the evergreen Bob ..George, made their Wanderers opponents look like hacks. They, were able assisted by the backs, the whole team displaying a very pleasing degree of combiner tion. It was the play Qf the forwards which was the deciding factor. In the backs, Wanderers quite held their own, but with a lighter, and less, well trained pack were considerably cramped in their style, being largely confined to defence.

Foxtoni, which has been suffering an eclipse fur some time past, brought a. very useful team; across to Levin last Saturday to their game against Envers. Bryant, who has not sho/wed up prominently for some time was right on his game and gave a splendid display of football., A feature of the game was the great game played by Fuller* a recently promoted Foxtoni Junior. His quick tuia accurate passing frbm the scrum was a treat to watch and with a little more experience he should make a decidedly useful player* Dick Sands was on the line) during the Otaki-Shannon senior game owing to. an injury to his leg received in the A v. B trial match at Levin. The following Shannon juniors have been selected to piny in the North v. South junior trial matchN. Gill, D. Fitzgerald, C. Hunlt, and W. Gray. It is about time R. Terry was given a game at half in the Shannon juniors. He proved himself last, season, scoring no less than 15 tries in cup matches, besides' giving a great display against High School in the seven-a-side competitions. Any club in this district would be glad to have his services but he is loyal to Shannon.,

iHOROWHENUA-MAHAWATU v. ALL BLACKS. FLAYERS TO GO INTO TRAINING. The combined team to play tbe All Blacks in Palmerston North on Saturday, July 26th will be selected on Friday week (the day before the match), from! the following 22 players:—

BACKS. Horowhenua. Manaiwatu. Johnston Cowie Tahiwi Law D’Ath Bailey Williams Brophy Mullins i: Earle FORWARDS Horowhenua. Manawatu. Jacob McDonald Moynihan Carroll Broughton Anderson McHerron Gothard Hakaraia Sly McLean Dobbyn The two-and-twenty were empanelled yesterday at Levin 'by Messrs J. R. Hardie (Manawatu) and Ruihi Wehipeihana (Horowhenua). The men are to go into training on Monday, the Horowhenua ten going up by the mid-day train. Regular practices will take place at the Palmerston North binder tne direction of Mr Jas Ryan. The team will be selected only from those players attending the training courses.