RUGBY TOPICS IN THE THAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 12

RUGBY TOPICS IN THE THAMES

PEACE CUP CHALLENGE By TOUCHLIXE The chief topic in Rugby circles is Peace Cup prospects. The man on the corner has the team picked that will bring the cup back to Thames. The decisive defeat of Pukekohe by Hamilton on Saturday has enhanced the holders’ reputation. Pukekohe- had an easy win over Thames early in the season at the former place, so on paper the challengers have a hard task ahead. The replacement of players has received a deal of attention of late : and, to read some of the writings, one would imagine that teams were about to engage in trench warfare instead of football. It has long been the custom that injured players are not replaced after half-time, and there is a lot to be said in favour of this principle. After all a team is entitled to make “every post a winning post.” Hamilton is quite entitled to its opinion on the subject, inasmuch as Thames holds the opposite view. To state a case in support of nonreplacement, the writer remembers a cup match final in Rangitikei many years ago, when a wing- forward was replaced in the last ten minutes. There was no score up till then, but the newcomer was fresh, and he was a topnotcher, and was over the line within five minutes after going on. The try won the match and the cup, and the only consolation the losers got was that they were “sports,” which is about the best abused word in the English language. THE THAMES SIDE But to return to the Peace Cup. and the coming challenge match—Hamilton v. Thames-- on the 17th. The Thames team is training hard for the contest, though the chosen fifteen has not been published. Selector MacDonald will not depart very much from the personnel of the team that played Auckland at Thames, but “Touchlim:*’ would suggest changing the backs to different positions, and gives a few remarks on their respective merits. Fullback, J. Winder.—Takes a ball well, a first-class kick, and will always get his man. His one fault is that he takes things too easy. Wing-threequarter, Moran.—Plays a brilliant game, but runs too straight, which makes him easy to tackle. A slight swerve when he meets his tack-h-r would be an advantage.

Centre - threequarter, O’Brien.— A last year’s Auckland rep. Plays a heady game, and the best back in the rear division. A fine goal-kicker. Wing - threequarter Donnelly.— A dashing young player, puts plenty of vim into his

game, and is initiative. A good scor-Five-eightlis, Harrison.—A tine allround player, sound in defence, and has a nice swerving run. Five-eighths, Dufty.—A reliable back, solid in defence, but at times sends out erratic passes. Half, Pratt.—A light young player, plucky, and takes his share of the hard knocks: improving every game; passes out smartly. Rover, A. Winder.—An excellent man for the position, and plays a hard game; good on attack and defence.

Forwards: Frontrankers, Lomas and Smith. Both r m are fine players and hook well. Lomas has All Black honours to his credit, and ranks as one of the greatest forwards the Thames has produced. Ensor, Strange, Pollock and AI. Hayward are the

stamp of forwards that are worthy to don the representative jersey in any company. The other two forwards are to be chosen from Kelly, Benny, Kinlock, Burkhardt and O’Hara.