SELECTION OF ALL BLACKS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27128, 26 August 1953, Page 4

SELECTION OF ALL BLACKS

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REGIONAL TRIAL AT AUCKLAND

FORWARDS IMPRESS MORE THAN BACKS (New Zealand Press Association)

1 AUCKLAND, August 25. Some players enhanced their claims for further consideration in the All Black trials at the regional trial held at Eden Park today. The most ccmvincing part of the trial was the fqrm shown by both packs. An All Black pack chosen from the forwards this afternoon would never disgrace New Zealand. That cannot be said of the backs. Neither backline played above club standard. Only a few justified further consideration. These included two half-backs, Davis (Auckland) and Kerby (Thames Valley). Davis gave faster passes, but Kerby, who played only in the second half, showed all-round judgment more in keeping with W; C. Dailey in his prime. Davis was more akin to J. Mill.

R. W. H. Scott, who retired in the second half with a slight leg injury, was better at full-back than D. B. Clarke (Waikato). The best wing three-quarters was Russell (Auckland), whose determined running was reminiscent of J. Steel at his best.

Two fine sets of forwards took the field. On the one side were mostly Waikato players. The best forward on the field, playing in the Waikato pack, was O’Dea. of Thames Valley. Whether in line-out play or other phases he was always well to the fore, and showed speed well above the average. The renowned J. B. Smith, at second five-eighths, was much too slow. The team captained by McLaren (Waikato) beat the team led by Scott by 22 points to 20. CANTERBURY TEAM ON TOUR MANAGER’S PRAISE FOR PLAYERS’ CONDUCT “The team did everything right, on and off the field.” said Mr R. Calder, one of the managers of the Canterbury team which toured the North Island, reporting to the management committee' of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening. Mr Calder paid a tribute to Canterbury teams which had established a good name for tne union on previous tours. Entertainment had been lavish everywhere, he said. Of the team’s only loss—against Waikato, which won 11-9—Mr Calder said it was a “moral win” for Canterbury.

Waikato and North Auckland wanted to play Canterbury in Christchurch, said Mr Calder, and both suggested the 1955 season.

While it was unusual for a manager to mention players specifically, he did so on this occasion because of some of the newspaper publicity “which was concerned mainly with boosting their own players,” said Mr Calder. K. C. Stuart did not meet his equal on the tour, and M. J. Dixon and A. E. G. Elsom had been outstanding in every game. P. Eastgate and G. N. Dalzell were superior to any of the opposing line-out forwards. D. Young was as good a hooker, or better than. R. C. Hemi. R. C. Stuart was not only an excellent captain, but a fine forward. Quoting from several newspaper reports and headlines—one of which claimed that Canterbury was "decisively” beaten by Waikato—Mr Calder said this was disappointing to the players. “They desetved more than that,” he said, adding that the local papers in most places "gave us a fair deal.” PAYNE TROPHY MATCH ON SEPTEMBER 16 Old Boys will play Otago University at Dunedin on Wednesday, September 16, for the Payne Trophy. This date, suggested by the Otago Rugby Union, was accepted by the Canterbury union's management committee last evening. Nineteen members of the Old Boys Club will make the trip. The Canterbury-Otago representative match will be played at Lancaster Park on September 23. instead of September 16. The postponement, suggested by the Canterbury Union because of the All Black trial to .be held in Wellington on September 15, has been agreed to by the Otago Union.

Mr W. Fright has been appointed to referee the Dunedin trial match next Saturday. Mr S. Sharp, of Southland, and Mr R. Marshall, of Buller, will referee the Christchurch trial matches on September 8. Referee-Selector “We should make sure that men appointed to these positions can get round and see the games,” said the president (Mr W. C. Dailey), commenting on a complaint from the Albion Club that one of the junior representative selectors had seen only one of its team's matches. The selector was a referee and had not been able to see sufficient of the players in the grade to carry out his duties as a selector competently, the club claimed. One team in the grade, it was claimed, had not been seen by this selector at all. The club will be informed that care will be taken when next season's selectors are appointed. DRAW FOR SATURDAY Postponements will be announced over 3YA and 3ZB at approximately 9 a m. and 11 a.m. Canterbury v. Canterbury Sub-Unions, L.P. oval, 3 p.m. Junior Final.—University A v. Marist B, L.P. oval, 1.30 p.m. Canterbury B v. Marlborough, at Blenheim. (Bus leaves Newmans on Friday at 8.30 a.m.) Under 17.—Canterbury v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. (Bus leaves Midland at 9 a.m.) Under Bet 101b.—Canterbury v. Mid-Can-terbury, L.P. west, 2.15 p.m.

Under sst.—Canterbury v. Mid-Canter-bury, L.P. West, 1.15 p.m. Senior Second Division.—nßrivale v. Geraldine, L.P. South, 1.30 p.m. Fifth Grade.—Merivale v. Old Timers, N.P. 3, 10.30 a.m.: Tech. 0.8. juniors v. Fourths, N.P. 8, 130 p.m. Canterbury trialists at Dunedin are to assemble at Christchurch Railway Station at 8.20 a.m. Thursday. Report to R. C. Stuart for tickets. Under 6st 7lb train S.P. 18 at 10.30 Saturday. Advt.