Rugby Tally-Ho

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 624, 28 March 1929, Page 7

Rugby Tally-Ho

TALK OF A MAORI TEAM

Swain to Play for Ponsonby

BV securing J. Swain, the All Black forward, Ponsonby has made a promising start for the 1929 Rugby season, in which the former champions will bid vigorously for the laurels yielded up to Varsity after the great struggles of last year. The possible formation of an all-Maori side from the Manukan team of last season is another interesting item of current gossip.

Playing characteristically breezy football, a Maori side would be popular with spectators at club matches, but whether it would maintain the stiffening given to Manukau last season by Harris, Sturmey, Golding, and that fine little halfback, Lineham, is open to question. Manukau was an improving side, playing with, rare dash on occasion. As a matter of fact there is a prospect that, whether or not a Maori team is formed, there will be defections from its strength, as Golding is reported to be giving up the game, while Sturmey has changed his abode, and is now now bound by a residential tie. Turei and Ruru, of Grafton, are likely to join Falwasser and company whatever happens. Turei has on the whole been a disappointment in Auckland, not fulfilling the promise of his Te Aute days, and even Ruru has never lived up to his performance of 1927. Rata, the sound Manukau fiveeighth, is now' in Ongarue, though he may return. Burly Kahu will lend weight and da-sli to any pack he plays with. PONSONBY’S LUCK It is Ponsonby’s luck that a rare forward like Swain has decided to join. Gifted with safe hands and unusual speed for a forward, Swain should fit directly into the zestful Ponsonby style. When he arrived in Auckland a few months ago Swain had determined to retire from the game, but he yielded to the persuasion of his friends. It is difficult for an international footballer to obey his own choice in these maters. Another prospective acquisition for Ponsonby is F. Solomon, the North Shore rover. His appearance for Ponsonby is subject to the granting of a transfer, which there should be no reason for the union to withhold, as he lives on the city side of the harbour, and has already sacrificed his own prospects considerably by assisting Shore in some lean seasons. It is possible that Clarke also may join an A grade club. He is eligible for Varsity. McWilliams is at present working at Drury. He and Swain will give great leadership to the Ponsonby pack, and under the circumstances it would have been pleasanter from the strictly independent viewpoint to see a good forward like Solomon going to one of the clubs that needs him more. Ponsonby has another “possible” in H. Appleby, from Taihape, whereas College Rifles, for instance, has lost the backbone of its back, and will have to call again on that ever-ready warhorse of forwards, Dick Fogerty. though another stalwart in Gallagher insists that he will not reappear. VARSITY’S LOST HOOKERS Hindenach, having accepted a lectureship at Otago University, and Black having taken an appointment on the Timaru Boys’ High School staff, University has another front row to find, and may solve the problem by calling once more on C. T. Keegan, who is no longer bound by a seat on the Management Committee, and who has recovered from the severe ankle _ injury he suffered in 1927. A. Miller would probably partner Keegan with credit. Miller is a far bette.r forward than most people suppose. Keane is now in a city office, Anderson is on the Takapuna Grammar School staff and Brooker, Linton and others of the pack are. like them, still available. Mathias, incidentally, is by now in England, though when last heard from by his clubmates he was having a look at Hollywood. r G. Bush, the promising Varsity fullback, is now a Training College student, but had the option of continuing with Varsity, and decided to do ° There should be great duels this year between him and Butler, who will again be playing for Training College. Training College will still have Peacock a good, though perhaps spasmodic forward, who won representative honours last year. HADLEY AS COACH £5. Hadley, who consolidated his reputation in Africa last year, has been appointed player-coach to Marista. Brother Calixtus, however, will remain the power behind the gun. Davis, back trom Australia, sliould strengthen the pack, and Malloy should be useful if he can recapture form. Peters suffered severely from poisoning after being staked by a flag-post at bden Park last vear, and is unlikely to turn out again, while Jeffries has been transferred to Te Awamutu, a severe loss. *W. Wright ought to go well behind an improved scrum. City is said to have the League back, Herewini as a recruit, but this is subject to confirmation when the numbers go up. Bo til Fletchers will , " s P lie "devil” into the pack while a handy newcomer may be Williams, an Opo U Grafton* will miss Noakes, a grand

forward, who should win his way to the Wellington representative team with any luck at all. Farmer has gone to Tauranga, and Judge and Green to Dunedin. Stevenson, who rested last year, will be turning out again, and Wanoa, despite a contrary report, is still "on deck.” Ces Badeley is firm in the statement that the Grammar jersey will know him no more. Outside that fine bunch of forwards, Batty, Cathcart, Knight and Schnauer, Grammar will doubtless rely much on young'blood. Rifles may induce Sheen, who has found his knee stand up satisfactorily to tennis, to appear in club matches. With Donald, Wilson, Gillespie, Kirk and Blythe to call upon the rearguard. Rifles will find its chief trials to lie with the weakened pack. MILL TO REAPPEAR Interesting, in view of Hawke’s Bay’s engagement here this season, is the news that Jimmy Mill is to turn out with Maurice Brownlie and Grenside for the Hastings Club. Mill is now living in Hastings, and has distinguished himself at cricket. Brownlie will perhaps remain in the game long enough to complete a great record by playing against the English team next season. By this time, however, there should be young forwards to follow on, though the absence of these, like the lack of class halfbacks, which may find the polished Mill again in demand, is somewhat disturbing in view of coming fixtures. George Nepia, who “came back” so wonderfully against the Waratahs last season, was at the recent Maori gathering at Ngaruawahia, and may again turn out. And last, but not least, there is a very good chance that that fine defensive back, Syd Carleton, of the 1928 team, may be coming to Auckland to reside, in which event he will possibly turn out for College Rifles.