No Maori Team

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 636, 12 April 1929, Page 6

No Maori Team

MANUKAU STILL UNITED

Current Rugby Gossip

THOUGH rumours of a Maori team in senior Rugby this season were freely current, they are given a flat denial by the Manukau Cluh, the club chiefly concerned. Palwasser and company will continue to play for Manukau, thus consolidating the club’s position in the senior grade, in which its banners last season were to the fore.

SUCH currency did rumours of a Maori team’s advent gain that it has even been stated that two or three ex-Maori College boys from Hawke’s Bay, including players named Paeranga and Hopu, would be coming North to assist. The fact that Turei and possibly Ruru are transferring to Manukau doubtless stimulated the gossip. It is pleasing to be able to record that Manukau remains undivided. One or two have dropped out, including Sturmey, who will probably turn out for Marists, and Harris, who does not intend to play at all. But the acquisitions should compensate for these losses. Kahu has been at Te Kauwliata throughout the summer, but has now returned to town. A promising lad named Simmons will be promoted from the lower grades and given a. trial behind the senior scrum, while a couple of junior members of the Brimble family should have no difficulty in proving their worth under stress in the first fifteen. Beyond this the policy of the club will be to pay close attention to the juniors and thus make wise provision for the future. PONSONBY FAVOURITES At the moment Ponsonby has prospects of starting at a short price in the senior competition. Swain, Lucas, Solomon and McWilliams —such a quartet should more than redeem the margins by which the Ponies went down in the epic games of last season. Even Ponsonby’s warm admirers, however, must inevitably wonder if the policy of drawing outside recruits to an already strong team is consistently safe. There are always juniors looking for their chance, and though Ponsonby has never failed to recognise talent as it appeared, this must be qualified by the statement that many a youngster of ability does not come to light with his best until actually given a reasonable trial in the senior firing line. Of those in line for a trip to Australia this season, L. Hook, the star Ponsonbv winger, is certainly one of the most prominent. Pursued by wretched luck whenever he has appeared in big football. Hook has never yet given his best when playing in one of the games that really matter as far as international trials are concerned. Last vpar wUon

playing for the All Blacks against New South Wales he was eclipsed by the Otago winger, McClymont. who incidentally showed rare promise. But Hook has it in him, and only the persistent attentions of this queer “hoodoo” can deny him the honours that are fairly his. Not many of last year’s All Blacks, who had more than a ration of strenuous touring when in Africa, are likelv to seek the trip to Australia. Maurice Brownlie, being a sheepfarmer whose woolly responsibilities are easily accounted for in the winter, may be inclined to offer himself, thus adding to his reputation as a globe-trotter. It seems that he will remain in the game long enough to play against England next year. There should be no doubt about his being competent to do so. A feature of both the All Black trip across the Tasman and the Australian Universities’ visit here is that they will betoken the wide revival of the Rugby game over the other side. The universities' team will represent not only Sydney Varsity, but that erstwhile stronghold of another code, Brisbane University. The All Blacks, of course, are to play at both Brisbane and Melbourne. Another outside engagement on the cards for this season is that projected by Fiji footballers, who hope to pay Auckland University their long-deferred visit. What, with these and other attractions. time for club and inter-provin-cial football would seem to be limited. The due attention, however, will in good time be paid to these. WHEN ENGLAND COMES The Ranfurly Shield contests have sunk into comparative obscurity after the feverish atmosphere which suri rounded them a year or two ago. The

peculiar perspective in which shield contests have been viewed in the South has something to do with this. Still, to see Auckland again in possession of the trophy would be gratifying in view of the high standard of the Auckland rep. team’s recent performances. Possibly Wairarapa will take it on tour with them, thus giving Auckland a chance at Eden Park. Though the A.R.U. must be credited with handsome and successful efforts to consolidate the position of the game here, and with an energetic improvement programme at Eden Park, the necessities of next season, when bumper crowds may be expected for matches against the English team, must not be overlooked. "Wellington’s fine new grandstand, an immense structure now in erection along the side street of Athletic Park, leaves Auckland rather in the shade at the moment. The dual control at Eden Park, of

course, is an unsatisfactory arrangement that prevents the adoption of ; inv long-sighted policy over a period of years. It also hampers arrangements lor season tickets, a matter the union might well investigate. The invaluable Norman McKenzie has caused concern in Hawke’s Bay bv intimating that he may relinquish the selection this year. Hawke's Bay Kugbv owes him a lot. Cashmore. ex-Auckland Varsity, has tjone from Napier to Wellington. Rradanovich. anotlier Auckland Varsity man, will again be on hand for Otago. His kicking boot has won a reputation for him since he left here. Fell, the big City forward, has joined the Samoan police force, and leaves with the next batch. Let members of the Mau beware. G. L. Weir will be a big help to Training College this season. Wanoa, who is studying for the ministry at St. John’s Maori College at Tamaki, has definitely advised the Grafton Club that he will be turning out for the club again this season. Wanganui was smacking its lip? over the prospect of having Kilby when an announcement came that he would not be active this season. The Wanganui Union, by the way, bought a bitract called Atkinson Park a year er two back, but has now placed the afpa on the market. Setford, the nimble Hawke's Bay inside back, should do great thing? this season if he nolds to last seasons promise. Setford’s footwork in th» match agair>*4 Wellington last season wa.s a positive joy to watch. J.G.M.