LEAGUE’S KICK-OFF

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 31, 29 April 1927, Page 6

LEAGUE’S KICK-OFF

Can the Auckland Reps. Defeat the “All Blacks”? TO-MORROW’S BIG GAME The League Rugby season will kick-off in Auckland to-mor-row. The A.R.L., with its customary enterprise, has provided a great attraction for followers of the 13-a-side code at Carlaw Park, when the Auckland “All Bl acks” will meet a representative Auckland thirteen.

Most people will remember the meeting of these two teams prior to the All Blacks sailing for England last year, when Auckland met and defeated the touring side. Loud were the cries then that the wrong team was being sent away, but when one considers that the men had a tour in front of them to England extending over many months, could any one expect these men to run unnecessary risks of getting hurt? This match has been frequently discussed, but the opportunity has now been given to the “All Blacks” to show whether the game was a fair indication of their ability or not. Can they defeat Auek land this time, or are the critics still going to be able to say, “I told you so” ? The touring team will certainly be meeting Auckland with a big advantage as they have been playing all the summer while our boys have not -iad a game since last winter. Then again the team for the match tomorrow is practically the same team as that which defeated half the teams which were played while on the t mr so with the combination they should have and the experiences gained, they should be in a position to wipe oIT th ; defeat of last year. The Auckland team, whicn has selected by Messrs. Asher, Fox, and Blakey is certainly a very strong -ide and is the best team that could be selected. Of course the players have had to be selected on last season’s form. THE AUCKLAND TEAM Hanlon, at full-back, is a very promising young player with a good safe pair of hands. List, at centre, is another young player who showed fine form last season. The two wings, Littlewood and Wade are both fast and sure ~ien. S. Prentice is a promising young player who was considered unlucky in not getting the trip home with the All Blacks. Wetherill, who will be captain of che side, need's no introduction to League followers or players, as he is one of the finest five-eighths in the code and

was considered one of the certainties for England last year, but was unable to make the trip owing to family reasons. THE FORWARDS All these forwards were in the raining for the All Blacks and any one of them might have been considered unlucky not to have caught the Nevr Zealand selectors’ eye. Townsend was the unlucky man «! the side, being considered to be the best hooker in Auckland at the time:, and as things turned out would have been a very handy man to have had on tour. NEW ZEALAND TEAM Of the two full-backs Gregory has been selected for the position while Dul'ty owing to the shortage of forwards will be played in the second row of the pack. The threequarter line is strong and Davidson, Brown, and Delgrosso should be able to serve up some new moves. The five-eighths line, Ivirwan and Cole, should know each other’s play and combine well together. Webb, at half, is versatile and can play from full-back to forward. J. Parkes will be hooking for his side and will be watched with interest to see how he shapes against Townsend. Menzies will come down from the Waikato and with Herring will form the front row of the pack. Gardiner and Dufty, the second row men, are both backs, but are also useful in this position. Avery, the captain, like the oppo:;ins skipper, Wetherill, needs no introduction. Wilson-Hall and Len Mason, who are in the Waikato could not be located when required, and Brisbane, the only other Auckland member of the All Blacks, was not available. The teams are as follows: New Zealand. —Full-back, C. Gregory; threequarters, L. Brown, B. Davidson, F. Delgrosso; five-eighths, H. Cole, J. Kirwan: halfback, S. Webb; forwards. J. Menzies, J. Parkes, H. Herring, C. Dufty, G. Gardiner. B. Avery. Auckland.—Full-back, W. Hanlon: threequarters, I. Littlewood, C. List, G. Wade: five-eighths, M. Wetherill, S Prentice; halfback, T. Peckham; forwards, J. O’Brien (Devonport), F. Townsend, W. Payne, W. Clark, G. Dixon, L. Hutt. Reserves: Forwards, N. St. George, N. Bass, J. Ward. Backs: S. Little, B. Davies, L. Seagar. Both teams will meet at the Tepid Baths at 1.30. Only jerseys provided.