Retirement Of Rugby Selectors

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28252, 13 April 1957, Page 5

Retirement Of Rugby Selectors

A FTER New Zealand’s great victory over the Springboks last year, there were several names on everybody’s lips. Peter Jones will long be remember for his magnificent play and his interpretation of the rights of free speech; Don Clarke will be remembered for his tremendous kicks and Kevin Skinner for the strength he put into the New Zealand front row.

Amid all the rejoicing, few took time off to spare a word of praise for the three selectors who, only a few weeks before had been roundly criticised for dropping this player and selecting that one. Two of these men, Messrs A. E. Marslin. of Central Otago, and T. C. Morrison, of Wellington, have now retired from selecting after giving sterling service to Rugby over many years.

In his seven years as a New Zealand and South Island selector. Arthur Marslin has travelled thousands of miles throughout the country and has met and watched hundreds of aspirants for island or All Black honours and although many of these will have berated him for not acknowledging their ability, few would be able to say that he was not completely honest in his opinions and he did not allow, parochialism to enter into his calculations.

He has endeared himself to countless players for his frank analysis of their weaknesses during discussions with them. His discussions with Rugby writers were no less honest.

He began selecting in 1936 when he acted in a co-operative capacity for the Otago union. In 1950, he was appointed a South Island and New Zealand selector and, in 1953, accompanied the New Zealand [team as assistant manager on its tour of the British Isles.

Mr Marslin was not without experience on the Rugby field. As a forward he was always noted for his fitness and it was understandable that when he became a selector he insisted on all players being extremely fit. He represented the South Island in two of the most exciting inter-island matches—in 1927 and in 1928 when both games were won by the South Island by one point, and he was a trialist for the 1928 All Black team to tour South Africa. .The Otago union paid him a great tribute recently when it appointed him a life member —an honour richly deserved. It is only 11 years since Mr Morrison ended his representative career and, like Mr Marslin. he has been a New Zealand selector since 1950. He first represented 6

South Canterbury in 1931 and ap- ; peared for the province regularly I from that date until he went over- . seas in 1940. In this period he i played for New Zealand in Aus- ; tralia and also for the South . Island on several occasions. Upon returning to New Zealand [ after the war he settled in Wel- . lington and represented that pro- > vince regularly until 1946. He has . played in several positions, but it i was at wing three-quarters that he was most at home. While i overseas he played as a wing for [ the New Zealand Army XV in the . Middle East. As with Mr Marslin he has had to travel throughout New Zea- ' land at great personal sacrifice to 5 himself. But ’both have made : these sacrifices willingly so that ■ the game they once played and 1 still love, will prosper. v