A GOOD SIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 141, 17 June 1935, Page 9

A GOOD SIDE.

LITTLE CRITICISM.

TOO MANY LIGHT FORWARDS?

Ol.p JPLAYERS' VIEWS

Satisfaction, with the composition of the team was expressed ; generally this morning by several former AH Blacks and Rugby selectors resident in : Auckland, all of. whom were of opinion that the side was capable of being moulded into a first-class combination equal to the two previous sides which toured Great Britain. While a number of Aucklanders have expressed surprise that only one full-back has been chosen, former players are quite satisfied that a capable substitute for Gilbert can be found for minor matches or if he is injured, the names of Griffiths, who has played in-the position for Wellington on occasions, and Oliver, a good allround player, being mentioned. The only criticism levelled at the team is that possibly too large a number of short, light * front-row men have been included at the expense of larger, more rugged forwards.

An Auckland All Black who toured Great Britain with the 1924 side recalled the fact that both that team and the side which visited South Africa in 1928 took only one recognised full-back. Wbile it was too much to expect that Gilbert would be able to repeat Xepia's feat by playing in all matches in Britain, one of the other backs could understudy him quite satisfactorily. In 1928. in Africa, Lilburne had been chosen as fullback, but Lindsay, originally chosen as a centre three-quarter, had filled the job in important matches. In the'present team Oliver seemed likely to fill the role of second string to Gilbert.

"I think that two full-backs would be wasted on a tour like this," continued this All Black. "At the same time I cannot understand why Bush was not chosen, unless it was that there were too many Aucklanders with better claims and he suffered on that score. However, any of the three-quarters should be able to fill the position, for if New Zealand is playing well, the fullback should not have, a great deal to do." Solomon May Be Best. The reason why Gilbert was preferred to the other aspirants for the position was explained by this player, as due to the fact that he usually tried to open the, game up and run his backs into position, instead of kicking for the line without variation. He thought that D. Solomon was likely to prove the best back before the tour was completed. "He anticipates play wonderfully well, and he is far faster than he looks, although he may be a little slow off the mark, on account of his long stride,' - continued this All Black. "Actually, he is far quicker than many men who look faster because they run with short strides."One criticism made against the team was that it contained too many short, stocky, front row forwards. In bis opinion, as long as the* team had two •rood hookers, such as Hadley and Dalton, there was little need for other small men like Hore, for any forward under Oft in height could be trained to go down in the front of the scrum, and they would be more valuable in loose passing rushes. He hoped to see the centre kick to the forwards exploited to the full, as it was a type of play difficult to check and one to which English players were not accustomed. For that reason, more big rugged men might be advisable. All-round Forwards Valuable. While the selectors might have chosen a number of specialists to get possession of the ball under all circumstances, he thought that in England possession from set scrums did not matter a great deal. In 1924 the All Blacks had not enjoyed a preponderence in hooking, but had started most of their scoring movements from the open. "If backs are tackling well no one should ever score from a scrum," he concluded. "It is good allround forwards who arc required. In his opinion Frank Solomon should have been one of the first selected. Had he been doubtful as to the type of forward required, he should have gone to the selectors and asked whether should play the roving game he usually- plays for Auckland or whether to stay down in the scrums and push. To his mind Solomon was the versatile type of forward who would prove valuable in England. .. ... ,„.....,..

"I think the selectors have done excellently with the material available," said Mr. F. S. Murray, an All Black of an earlier generation. "The selection of only one full-"back is perfectly in order. A gocC! cen:re can always play full-back. Oliver could fill the position if necewary, and from what 1 have heard I think Mitchell could, although 1 do not know his play well. Certainly we seem to be short of good inside backs, but I think the selectors have made the best choice they could,"

Mr. Murray also considered that there were! too many forwards on the light side. Admittedly they would have heavy men behind tliein, and it bad to be conceded that on very heavy grounds a light man was quicker than a very heavy forward. "These 12st to 13st men mav'be all right under some circumstances in England, but I would'like to see heavier men rirht through the pack in the Test games," he concluded. "In picking only one full-back, the selectors have not'created a precedent/ said a former Auckland selector, who referred to the 1924 and 1028 teams. "1 think that any feeling in Auckland that a, second full-back should be taken is engendered by the fact that Bush is omitted." .' To comment on a team selection such ns this was most difficult for anyone in. Auckland who had not seen all the trial matches. Many Aucklauders seemed prone to judge such men as Nepia on the form they displayed when they last played in Auckland, possibly some yenna aqo. Unless anyone had seen the men play in the present series of trials, they could form no sound opinion. Selectors Praised. The former selector paid a tribute to the ability of the All Black selectors, and in particular- to Mr. E. McKenzie; "I have a great admiration for Ted Mc-, Kenzie," he said. "All lie watches for is the best player for the position, irrespective of district." The fuct that little parochialism had been shown in the selection, and that the respective strengths of the provinces had not been allowed to count in the choice of individuals, was demonstrated by the fact that Auckland had seven men in the team and Taranaki none, although Taranaki had beaten Auckland last season. In conclusion this selector said that on heavy grounds the lighter forwards who had been picked would stand out. "The combination of lighter, smaller men with heavy, tall men to my mind is ideal for English conditions. However, I must say that the division of the team into 10 forwards and 13 backs does not seem admirable. I think another back should have been taken, particularly as casualties are usually more common among the backs," he ••.ntinued. He would prefer to see Griffiths played as the additional full-back, for one reason because he was heavy and solid enough for the position. On the other hand. Page might be able to adapt himself to the position.

Another prominent Auckland Rugby administrator endorsed the view that Solomon might prove. to be the best back in the side. The team as a whole he viewed favourably, while he approved of the choice of Gilbert, for the same reason that the former player had advanced, that Gilbert varied his play and initiated passing movements. He thought that Oliver or Mitchell would relieve him at full-back. Caughey he did not xavour for the position, for the reason that the Auckland centre frequently showed a tendency to "shepherd" rather than tackle.

"Although I have not been able to see any of the Southern trials, I think it is a good team," he concluded. In his opinion Tindill and Solomon were likely to develop as the best fiveeighths and to play in the Tests, and it was possible that the standard of back play be higher than was generally expected.