[43] The Metropolitan side won 13-5 with the Whanganui Chronicle writing that Taihape’s inside backs played poorly and “in consequence, the ability of T. Chase and Hall, on the wings, could not be assessed.

[54] In early March, 1933 Chase performed at an open air concert in Taihape as part of the “Māori troupe from Moawhango (in full native costume)”.

It was described in the newspapers: “Tommy Chase, who was playing centre-three quarter for Huia cut right through the Utiku defence to score one of the best tries ever registered on the Taihape Recreation ground.

He showed himself to be a winger of undoubted promise, with sure hands, a sound knowledge of positional play, and determination in running that won him much applause”.

Chase converted one of Taihape’s tries but on full time despite making a good effort he missed the game winning conversion of Wereta’s try in what was now described as “heavy” snow.

Himona became available to tour but it was decided to leave Chase in the squad and the forward from King Country, Len Kawe was called in to replace G. Ferris.

It was said that Chase seemed certain of making the Māori side and he “played a sound defensive game, and on attack demonstrated a most valuable cut-in, which repeatedly gave him passage through the opposition”.

[214] Following the game with Queensland R Harrison and C Smith were also taken to hospital with influenza, while Kotua had a septic leg, and Jack Brodrick had to be taken to a dentist to have an abcessed tooth extracted.

[261] During the following week the Wanganui Rugby Union nominated Chase for the North Island team in the positions of five eighth, centre, wing, or fullback.

[320] In the final round of the championship Manukau lost 23-20 to City Rovers with Chase kicking three conversions and one penalty and he “showed up with speed and elusive running”.

[333] The Herald wrote that “a feature of the game was the brilliant play of T. Chase… his tricky running often eluded the defence and he rarely failed to start the backs in passing movements.

[362] The Auckland Star said that the three quarter line will include Brian Riley, who was not available for the Australian tour, T. Chase “the mercurial Manukau wing, who is deserving of a place in any New Zealand team, and Verdun Scott…”.

[365] The Herald wrote later that “it was a wise move to bring T. Chase closer to the scrum… [his] nippiness and speed off the mark gave the back line penetration which was lacking in the first half”.

Shortly after half time Chase broke through and passed the ball to brother, Rangi who “forced his way past Boniface and scored wide out” and with Jack Hemi’s conversion Auckland retook the lead 13-12.

[383] The Herald wrote that if Hemi had been available Manukau might have won due to the better goal kicking and that Chase was “not so good as usual and his weak tackling gave the visitors a try”.

He had moved into second five eighth and “gave a brilliant display in a position which appears to suit him much better than wing three quarter” and showed “exceptional penetrative play”.

In comments on the play it was said “the question which was the best wing three quarter was answered by T. Chase, Manukau player, who out-starred the others, even though [Roy] Nurse and [Arthur] McInnarney showed flashes of brilliance”.

[415] Following a 19-5 loss to North Shore Chase was selected in New Zealand Probables side to play the Possibles in a trial match at Carlaw Park.

However at relatively short notice the British government allowed for some entertainment venues to operate with a 10pm curfew and the game against Dewsbury was able to be played on September 9 at their Crown Flatt ground.

[483] The Herald said “fine anticipation, clean handling and an eagerness to chime in with his backs whenever the opportunity presented made Chase, fullback, a powerful force in the Manukau rearguard”.

His best effort came later in the game when he forgot that he was a half back and went off with a side stepping run which breached the City defence, and, as support came on led to a Manukau try” for Joe Murray.

[519] The following week he converted three tries and kicked a penalty in a 23-12 win against Newton-Mount Albert and he showed “good combination” with Murray at five eighth and Watene at centre.

The brilliantly unorthodox rugger of a great Maori team, including Jack Hemi, Tommy Chase, Steve Watene, Pita Ririnui, and other representatives”.

While the opposition included well known players Bob Scott, Ivan Gregory, Wally Tittleton, Brian Riley, Clarrie Peterson, and George Mitchell.

In the first half “Chase started a passing bout, and the New Zealand Māori representative sent it on to Ririnui, who forced a gap in the defence, and Rogers raced over for a brilliant try”.

Chase first came to prominence as a rugby union player in the Wanganui district when, at 17 years of age, he was a member of the New Zealand Māori team which visited Australia in 1935.

Chase came to Auckland in 1937 and played for Manukau and in a short time he established a fine record as a full-back, five eighths, and a very reliable goal kicker.

He was a member of the New Zealand Rugby League team which visited England in 1939, when the war called an abrupt halt to what appeared a successful venture.

In round 4 he played in the five eighths with Major back at halfback and converted all three tries and kicked three penalties in a 21-13 win against City in the main match at Carlaw Park on May 5.

[565] In a different article they wrote “Tommy Chase, showed remarkable accuracy and landed six goals, several being from difficult angles, the best effort of it’s kind since Jack Hemi was with the team”.