WHAT IS A COLTS TEAM?

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 24

WHAT IS A COLTS TEAM?

Considerable discussion on the object of the Auckland Colts fifteen ensued at last nights meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby Union, when the question of sending a team later in the season to play Poverty Bay representatives was discussed. It was decided that the chairman and secretary should examine the cost of sending a team, and that if a team was sent it should be next to the representative fifteen in strength. This decision urougnt inquiries regarding the designation of the Colts, Mr. O. S. Harvey asking whether the next best team to the representatives meant the Colts, and whether the original definition of a Colt as a player under 21 years was still observed.

The chairman, Mr. A. A. Baker, said that the selectors chose the Colts fifteen from players whom the clubs informed him were '21 or under. Mr. R. Farrell: There are many players about '23 years who are not quite good enough for the representative fifteen and cannot be in the (Jolts, though in many cases tlicy are better than players in the Colts. What about them ? The Chairman: Unfortunately there are always a few iu that position. A motion by Mr. Hillington that the selector be given a free hand in choosing the fifteen to go to Poverty Bay was passed, the chairman, at the request of Mr. Harvey, promising to obtain the ages of players in the Colts side.

The question of securing co-operation from prominent players for coaching purposes was dineussed. Air. A. L. Nimmonds commenting that the services of such men as Mr. V. R. Meredith, W. Hadlev. C. S. Pepper, H. F. McLean and M. M. N. Corner, who had wide experience in overseas football and were now recognised authorities on different phases of the game, should be utilised. The chairman reported that the sole selector. Mr. K. \V. Lucas, considered that the scheme would be more valuable to younger players than the representatives. Decision was reached to invite the men already named to attend a meeting of the committee and discuss the possibilities of the scheme. Representative Matches. Tt was decided to inform the King Country Union that a representative match could not be arranged as requested for August 30. on which date King Conntry were originally scheduled to play the visiting Fijian side. Mr. Baker said the Auckland team had too heavy a programme already, and further matches would be too great a strain on the players, who. in addition, would probably be unable to obtain leave.

'Hie chairman added that tlic Auckland Union did its best to provide matches for country unions wherever possible. In the present case it was regrettable that nothing could be done. An account of a visit made to the Kaipara sub-union was given by the chairman and Air. (J. Orrell. who said that visiting dub teams would bo welcomed in Helensville. Teams there were eager to see Auckland teams-including juniors - in action. The match committee was asked to arrange a senior match in the Kaipara Sub-union's area. The chairman reported that the honorary architect was preparing plans for alterations to the stand at Kden Park. These would be available in the near future. Notification was received from the Xortli Shore Club that a clearance had been granted to M. C'ato. who had transferred to the Kden Club. A motion of sympathy with A. S. Coughlan. of the Ponsonby Club's senior back-line, in the death of hie father, was carried in silence.