RUGBY LEAGUE TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 21

RUGBY LEAGUE TOUR

AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS

CHOICE OF QUEENSLANDERS ONLY TWO FORWARDS SELECTED Queensland lins reason to bo disappointed as tlio Australian selectors, in choosing the 28 Rugby League players for the English tour, did not pay any particular compliment to the men of the maroon, says a writer in the Sydney Referee. In the 14 forwards there are only two from that State, L. lleidke, a very solid heavy-weight, for iho centre, and E. Collins, the fast loose look man.

Ono expected tho home pack in tho Brisbane match to niako a stronger impression on tho selectors. Only four Queensland backs arc included. Three of these were • certainties —.J. Rcardon (ccntro threcquarter), U. McLean (wing threcquarter), and F. Gilbert (scrum half). In addition, G. K. Whittle, tho Toowoomba fullback, has been chosen.'

It was thought tho committee might determine not to select a second special fullback., Of course, L. Ward, the other man in tho position, is quite a class centre threcquarter, having plavcd in that position a good deal and a hi v.

The four centro thrccquarters are J. Beaton, R. McKinnon, J. Reardon and B. Williams. Beaton and Williams would also bo first-class on tho wing. Beaton is lit for any sort of match as fullback, centre threcquarter, or wing threcquarter. Williams, a Ki-stonc tiroless young player, looks the sort to develop into a top-notch wing man, it any of tho four chosen wing players fail to strike top form or develop sufficiently for tho tests. Whether llazelton and Dawson are better wing men than tho Queenslander, Robison, is a question. Robison did not receive many opportunities in Sydney, llazelton and Dawson revealed admirable qualities in the country matches. They gave promise of fuller development on tour. Arc tho selectors wise in choosing only one five-eighth? Norman is a champion of his own particular type. But ono holds that R. Banhani, a different typo in the position, would liavo been a good selection. A tour in England might sec him become a champion of the fast, straightrunning type.

THREE SCRUM HALVES THIRD PLACE SELECTION In determining on three scrum halfbacks the committee had to discriminate between several for third place. P. Williams and F. Gilbert were certainties. R. Thompson, the chosen North Sydney halfback, has been shaping well. Nippy and versatile, he is young and has played some very fine games. If he strikes form in goal-kicking, he will be of material help to P. Williams and J. Beaton in that direction —a very important point in scoring. 11. McCarter and T. Grahame were good enough to have been in the running for this place. Tho 14 forwards are all fine players, some very heavy and hard in rucks and scrummages. Thornton, the Queensland forward, looked good enough to win a place. A. Norval, Eastern Suburbs lock forward, who is chosen, plays above his weight and is always on the go. But whether he will develop on team-lines after the manner of Prigg is doubtful. Eastern Suburbs is a great team to watch, its combination wonderful. Norval, however, is an exception. He goes "on his own" quite too much. Queensland might reasonably have had a stronger forward representation than two, and another back. The team includes few outstanding stars. But its possibilities are very good provided that the team is cleverly captained and the tactics are devised on the best lines to counter each opposing team, especially those of England in the tests.

11. Narvo, J. Roser and R. Banham, among the New South Wales players, are unlucky to miss selection, apart from the Queenslanders.

The Australian team will play test matches at Carlaw Park on August 7 and August 14. A match against the Maori representatives will be played on August 11.