FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 66, 8 September 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

TARAXAKI v. CANTERBURY. THE TARANAKJ TEAM. By Telegraph —Press Association. (ireymoaith, Thursday. The following will play for Taranaki against Canterbury on Saturday: Full-back, Hill; three-quarters, Prince, Stohr and Cameron; live-eighths, McLeod ajid Mynott; half, Brown; forwards, Colman, Cain, Osborne, Tamu, Young, Hawkins, Whitington ami JDcwar.

The team to play for Taranaki against. Canterbury ito-morrow is the strongest I available. Enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that both L. Hill, who had to return for 'business reasons after the I Otago match, and Tamu, who owing to the illness of his wife was unaible to accompany the team, will .be included. Tamu went south yesterday, and Hill goes fomvurd to-day. It is unfortunate, however, that Smith and Roberts will be aibsent. Smith is a splendid' lock, and handles his pack magnificently; in fact, his defection considerably disorganises | the forwards, and there Is no one that can fill the position even tolerably well, An eye-witness of the Southland match states that one of the hookers was tried as an experiment in this position, to the detriment of the team's hooking capabilities. It is to be hoped that Smith will lie present against Auckland. The Xortlrerncrs will have the services of Cunningham. Huberts has been a great success as centre three-quarter, and has given his speedy .wings plenty of chances, which they have taken advantage of, besides playing finely himself. A private notification has been received to the effect that Roberts lias broken his ankle, and, if this is so, he will not be available for the Auckland match, liis loss is more serious, in so much as Stohr has to be brought in from the wing, where he 'has opportunities of using his pace, to centre three-quarter, whilst Prince goes wing three-quarter. This considerably weakens the combination and striking power, of the attack. Several who were most optimistic .after the crushing defeats of Wellington and Otago are not now so confident about Taranaki's chances against either Canterbury or Auckland. Certainly West Coast defeated Taranaki and whilst not wishing to detract from the merits of the West Coasters' win, it must be pointed out that Taranaki are feelin:; the effects of their touT, and no doubt the coach travelling, combined with the hospitality that they are receiving, mav have assisted the defeat. A material factor was, however, the spelling of several of their best men. and of "ourso the .llnence of others—Brown, Hawkins fl-nd Dewar were spectators. The absence of the first-named must have disorganised the attack very .much. With these three and Tamu and Hill comparatively fresh the team to meet Canterbury will be a vastly improved one, and should be eble to keep up Taranaki's end very we'll.