NEW BLOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 11

NEW BLOOD

NORTH ISLAND LEAGUE TEAM SELECTED COUNTRY WELL REPRESENTED The following: team lias been selected to represent the North Island in their annual inter-island League Kugby match at Carlaw Park on September 7; Backs. —Gregory (Auckland), Hamilton (Northland), Brisbane (Auckland), L. Scott (Auckland), Delgrosso (Auckland), Meyer (Northland), Sliortlanc] (Auckland). Forwards.—Menzies (South Auckland), Stephenson (South Auckland), Trautvetter (South Auckland), Timms (South Auckland), Francis (Auckland), Bergan (Northland). The team on paper is a fairly strong one, although scarcely up to the standard of the past few years. New bloo(l is in evidence, and in view of the prospective Australian visit next season, the policy of the selectors in this respect is to be commended. BACK TO HIS OLD POSITION With Dufty out of the limelight and Simons on the injured list, the selectors had a hard task to fill the fullback position. Gregory has been called upon to fill his old place, although he has played five-eighth practically all the season. Brisbane was a certainty for centre but Tittleton, of South Auckland, might have been given a place on the wing. Len Scott has not shown last year’s form this season, and Hamilton has yet to prove his worth, although he is a very promising player. Many will consider Seagar unlucky not to find a place in the five-eighth line, but there is a surplus of highclass* five-eighths this season, and Delgrosso and Meyer are both brilliant players. It looks as if Delgrosso will captain the side. Shortland is lucky to be in the team, with halves of the calibre of Abbott (South Auckland), Mclntyre, Oliff and Hassan available. He is, however, a solid little player. It was generally recognised that South Auckland would be strongly represented in the forwards, but if J. O’Brien and A. Scott were available, many would have preferred to have seen them in the team. Francis is another lucky player in being chosen on one representative game, especially with such a dashing breakaway as Bergan in the side. He is, however, the makings of a fine player, although on the light side. All the South Auckland men are first-class forwards, and should give a good account of themselves.