VISITING PLAYERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1069, 5 September 1930, Page 6

VISITING PLAYERS

lAN HARVEY TO CAPTAIN SIDE , GOOD COMBINATION A representative Wairarapa Rugby team has been selected to journey to Auckland and battle with the Northern champions on September 6. Local enthusiasts are discussing the prospects of victory with robust fortitude, for Auckland’s form is difficult to understand. Possessing a combination that can outplay Wellington in all hut goal Dotting, it has also a team which has suffered defeat from North Auckland and Waikato. In place of the eleven Ail Blacks fielded by Wairarapa last, year, this year they can only field four Anno Domini and the lure of the city having robbed them of the balance. So nothing is being' * hazarded on the result until the Auckland selector has published his views. Of course the four of the old brigade (lan Harvey. J. Mill. T. Corkhill and Iv. Reid) are not adventuring northwards without some stout comrades. E. Fitzgerald, the youth with the courage and the sturdy physique, has been promoted to fullback. Fitzgerald plays five-eighth for Carterton, has a good turn of speed, tackles everything within reach, and can kick well with both feet. He is never mth to turn defence into attack, and he should prove a stubborn last line. C. Stringfellow unfortunately cannot make the trip, and his place at centre-threequarter will be filled by L. Roach. In the final of the club championship last week Stringfellow suffered in a head-on collision with a Carterton forward. and in consequence spent a few days in hospital. His absence is much to be regretted, as he is rated a much-improved player

this year, and a tryout in fast company would have been of interest. For several years Stringellow has been 100 yards and 440 yards champion of the Wairarapa district, and since his success as fullback in Australia last year has been displaying marked individuality at centre-threequfarter. Lambert Roach, who goes to centre in place of Stringfellow. has played fullback for the Shield team during the last three seasons. In club games Roach shines either at second fiveeighths or centre, and his speed and line-kicking make him reliable in any po&itiort. Roach was highly praised by Mr. James Baxter for an excellent display against the British team. FULLER PLAYING lan Harvey will captain the team, owing to J. Donald being unable to travel. Harvey is a burly sportsman who is highly popular wherever lie goes*- and can be depended on for a clean, fast game. On the rare occasions when he has previously captained the team, it has been victorious. For a team which has been generaly victorious for three seasons, this is nothing remarkable, but anyhow the local fans are making the most of any ray of sunshine. J. Le Quesne is to till the wirigforward position, so long occupied by J. Donald. The prowess of Solomon is not underrated in this district., but it is just possible he may meet his match in Le Quesne. Except as halfback, the latter has now tilled every position from front rank to fullback. As usual, the handy man who can be placed anywhere ends in being placed nowhere, amt Le Quesne has too often acted as emergency. With J. Donald’s retirement imminent, the younger rn;in may get his chance. F. Fuller only left the district a day or two ago. and so has not lost his residential qualifications. In any Auckland footballers will be interested to see the youth who robbed them of its chance of taking the Ranfurly Shield last year, aVul will be pleased to know that, h’e is making the trip. In his farewell game last week Fuller played his worst game of lho season. It is whispered that he is being transferred much against his will, and the spirited reception from his many friends seemed to unnerve* the modest youth. Anyhow, out of four kicks, lie only put one over the bar. He put the ball on the halfway line with his usual abandon, but it dropped 10 yards short. His tally for the season is thus only 249 points.