WAIKATO'S BIG RUGBY HATCH ON MONDAY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20821, 3 June 1939, Page 24 (Supplement)

WAIKATO'S BIG RUGBY HATCH ON MONDAY

Prospects Against Auckland ; Records Over Ten Years : Waikato Win On Three Occasions : Many Close Contests : 35 Players Each Season : Bright Play Anticipated ; Combination At Last JJTVER before has a representative match between the Waikato and Auckland representatives been as eagerly awaited as the fixture which is scheduled for Rugby Park on Monday, the King’s Birthday, and all that la required to ensure a record attendance is fine weather. Provided weather conditions are favourable there is every justification for the expectations of a really brilliant game. Ttie Waikato team has had an opportunity to train together before the match and they will not turn out as strangers to each other, A trial match has also been held to enable the selector to chooso the best possible team and the wisdom of the two moves should be seen on Monday. For the first time for many years Waikato enthusiasts will be optimistic regarding the outcome of the match but if the team fulfils expectations it will not be the first time that Waikato has bealen Auckland. Going back twelve years the records disclose that Waikato defeated Auckland in Hamilton in 1927 by 11 points to five. In 1930, after losing the match in Hamilton by the narrow margin of 7 points to six, Waikato played a return match in Auckland and won handsomely, the final score being 28 to 3 in Waikato’s favour. The • only other win recorded since then was in 1933, when again in Hamilton Waikato secured the margin in a bright high scoring game, the final score being 20 to 16. Besides these few victories Waikato has run Auckland very close on other occasions and it may be Jhat another win will be credited to the Waikato representatives next week.

The full list of scores In the matches played between the two unions since 1*927 makes interesting reading. One of the features of the records Is that Waikato have never been able to really settle on a good team throughout a season, and. in most oases, between 30 and 35 players represented the province in each season. When it is considered that only six to eight games were played each season the selector's difficulties can be Imagined. A great deal of the trouble has been that Waikato has never been able to show the combination and speed of the Auckland backs and for the first time adequate steps to rectify this have been taken. Following the win for Waikato in 1927 there were two matches in 1928, Auckland winning the first in Hamilton by 30 to 0, but for the second match Waikato showed improvement and the final score was 23 to 12 in Auckland’s favour. Fairly comfortable margins were again secured by Auckland in 1?29 when two matches were again played, the first in Hamilton being won by 25 to 17 and the second in Auckland by 30 to 0 again. In 1930 Waikato was very strong and after losing 7 to 6 at Rugby Park won by 28 to 3 in Auckland. • • • •

For the next two seasons all four games, two each year, were close enough to stimulate interest in the encounters. In 1931 Auckland won the Hamilton match by 22 to 17 and the return game by 17 to 8, while in 1932 the respective scores were 24 to 13 and 19 to 12, Auckland winning on each occasion. Only one match was played in 1933, in Hamilton, and this Waikato won by 20 to 16. In the next year there was again only one encounter and again a close match resulted, this time Auckland proving victorious by 15 to 10. During this season Waikato played six matches, •winning three and one was drawn. In 1935 Auckland’s margin was much more substantial, the final score being 26 to 8. Of the four games played in this season two were won and two lost and 29 players appeared in the four games. In two matches were again played against Auckland and both were lost, the first in Hamilton by 28 to I<3 and the second by 22 to 17. In the eight matches played by the W T aikato representatives 30 players were called upon, only one game was won and two were drawn, leaving five defeats.

In 1937 Auckland’s winning margin was again beyond question, the King’s Birthday match in Hamilton resulting 38 to 13 and the return match 16 to 6. In this season Waikato played six games winning only two and* altogether 35 players were called upon. Last season Waikato’s showings were again disappointing. Of the seven games played only three w r ere won and both Auckland fixtures were lost by wide margins. In Hamilton Auckland led by 2 9 to 3 at the final whistle and in the return match the final score was 25 to 3. Also during this season the selector called upon 35 players and again lamentable lack of combination was one of the major reasons for Waikato’s downfalL For

the first time for many years the same club players are in the inside positions in the Waikato team this year while the players have had the added advantage of special training. The combination should not be at fault on Monday.

There is no doubt that the new sole selector, Mr H. P. (“Dan") Ensor has picked a first rate team, and although some players must be considered unlucky in not making the side it is wellnigh impossible to recommend a better side. The players have played themselves into their respective positions with the rivalry keener than it has been for many years. Again the bulk of the strength is in the forwards and this is as it should be. The game commences with the forwards and it depends solely upon their ability whether the back-line gets its opportunities. The best back-line in the world would be well nigh useless behind a pack that was completely out-

classed by their opponents as possession of the ball is the key note to success. Without the ball no side can score. Waikato are fortunate fhat they have such a fine pack at their command and it is to be hoped that the backs do not let them down. • * * * The Waikato pack, as selected, will weigh 117st 31b and should be much heavier than the Auckland van. The players should also be in first-class physical condition as a result of their additional training and they should do their job well —giving the backs the ball. Provided they give their backs as much protection as the Auckland forwards do they should more than hold their own. From the scrums Galley, with such excellent support,

Auckland’s All Black sole selector. should get far more than his share, in the line-outs Wynyard, Daniell, Warrender and Mucky should easily mat ;h Auckl rnd s >rwards, while the material is also there for excellent scrummages and fast breaking work. Tile short passing among the Auckland forwards lias always had a devastating effect on Waikato teams and it is hoped that this year Waikato will not only counteract these tactics luit will lake the initiative when the occasion arises. There i> no doubt that much of Waikato's troubles in the past must be attributed tu their inside backs and this year the Old Boys’ trio should make a better showing. They proved in the trial match and also last Saturday in r* eir club match that they have the rapabilitie-s as far as attacking work is concerned and all have earned Waikato’s All Black captain, their places. To retain them they will not only have to show speed, thrust and connecting ability in getting the ball out to the dangerous

centre three-quarter line but they will have to stop Auckland running through the centre as in the past. Deadly tackling will be necessary all day for all of them whenever Auckland hook the ball as too many points have been thrown away in the past through Taulty inside tackling. Fortunately the trio can tackle as well as attack and there should be no cause for undue alarm on their part. The Waikato back-line looks very dangerous and if only they can handle the ball they should provide plenty of thrills. The showing of Phillips, Perkins and Aitken will be watched with Interest but, of course, their chances will depend on how soon they reoeive Ui» ball and if they are crowded out or not. The full-back, J. Ward, has given some disappointing displays in club games but he rose to the occasion well in the trial match seeing he had been off sick for two days prior to the match and if he can reproduce his best form on Monday the Waikato team should be well served. • • * * The Waikato team will be: — Fullback: J. Ward (Hamilton). Three-quarters. W. .T. Phillips < Raglan ), A. J. Aitken (Morrinsville), G. Perkins (Hamilton). Five-eighths: B. Paterson ("Hamilton!. A. 11. Parsons 'Hamilton). Half-back: J. Broad (Hamilton). Forwards: F. Daniell (Waipa), J. G. Wynyard Waipa), T. Macky Waipa), A. Thomson (Waipa). W Warrender (Matamata), .T. M. Taylor (Taupiri), E. 11. Catley (Taupiri), M. Caldwell (Waipa). Reserves. —'Forwards: T,. McAlpine (Waipa), A. E. ’Hall (Cambridge). Backs: G. Fraser (Hamilton), W. Brown (Matamata), J. O'Hearn (Taupiri).

Auckland’s Strong Team The sole selector for Auckland, exAll Black F. W. Lucas, has selected a very strong team to meet Waikato and "the game should provide plenty of thrills. Of great interest to Waikato enthusiasts is the selection of F. L. Pearson, as centre - threequarters. Pearson is well known in Hamilton as he was Frankton’s first five-eighths prior to leaving for Christchurch and he endorsed the promise he showed while here in captaining the Air Force team in Christchurch and in representing Canterbury in the five-eighths position and also on the wing. The other backs have all been seen in Hamilton excepting Halliwell and Pile. Halliwell’s choice at fullback is rather a surprise as Hare looked the logical choice bub the selector has evidently chosen a man, who can rise to great heights and who can come into the attack when required. Hare is a trifle slow to counter Waikato’s bustling forwards. The halfback, Pile, is reported to be a fine pl*aver and he should give the Brilliant Pearman every chance. All Black J. Dick is on one wing and Schubert replaces D. Martin, who is playing for New Zealand Universities. Our wingers will have to tackle low and solidly to keep these men out.

In the forwards, ex-All Black H. F. McLean has a great pack to lead with T. Pearce and C. S. Pepper, other All Blacks. R. Hull has represented the North Island and D. Williams is an exSouthern representative with plenty of dash. 'Waikato’s forwards are undoubtedly good, but they will have *o be at their very best to subdue the pack they will meet on Monday. • * * » The Auckland team is as follows: Full-back: 11. Halliwell (Ponsonby). Three-quarters : L. Schubert (Grafton), F. L. Pearson (Grafton), J. Dick (Grafton). Five-eighths: N. Pearman (Grafton), D. Brady (Suburbs). Half-back: J. Pile (Training College) . Forwards: W. Knight (Ponsonby), D. M. Whillans (North Shore), R. R. Hull (Grafton), G. Brown (Grammar), 11. F. McLean, captain (Grafton , T. Pearce (Grafton). 11. Bond (Ponsonby), C. S. Pepper (Manukau). Reserves.—Forwards: A. Moßeath (Grammar), W. Smith (Manukau). Racks: L. Curtayne (Marist), B. Grant (Ponsonby).