All Blacks Likely To Be Young Team

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 5

All Blacks Likely To Be Young Team

TT was obvious from the composition of the teams x to take part in the final All Black trials at Wellington today that the selectors, already have a firm opinion on what players are going to represent New Zealand in Australia this year. The A teams, especially the Possibles, have back lines from which at least nine of the All Black backs should emerge and although the forward packs are somewhat mixed, the front rows in each, on form and reputation, should provide four of the front row men.

Today, the selectors will chose 25 players to make the tour. Many of these—the specialists in one position—will have keen competition; so will the utility players, but to a much lesser extent.

There are several key positions to be filled and these trials should provide the answers. The retirements of R. A. White, R. A. Jarden and the non-availability of R. H. Duff and P. F. Jones—all certainties—leaves these four positions to be filled. S. F. Hill’s injury further complicates the issue, but in his case the selectors could, if his injury is not serious, include him in the side.

It is known that 25 players will form the touring team, but it is not certain what the proportions of backs to forwards will be. On the last Australian tour, there were 13 backs—one full-back, six three-quarters, four five-eighths, and two half-backs —and 12 forwards.

Utility Back

P. T. Walsh has few rivals for the position of utility back. He has already represented New Zealand or has been a trialist for the full-back, wing, centre and second five-eighths positions. The left wing, vacated by Jarden, could have been filled very capably by R. M. Smith, but Smith for some unknown reason, has not found favour with the selectors. E. S. Diack, who was not called

upon in Christchurch, W. S. S. Freebairn, a 1953 All Black, and Walsh, now seem the most likely contenders for the. position. If two centres are chosen—as they were in 1951—R. F. McMullen, J. R. Watt and A. E. G. Elsom will be applicants for the position. Elsom did not impress favourably in the Christchurch trial, but in a tidier game he may show up better. Watt, last year and this year, has shown great promise and appears likely to win his All Black jersey.

Second Five-Eighths

The second of the two second five-eighths positions—W. N. Gray will certainly be first choice—will be between T. R. Lineen and H. J. Levien. Lineen, the more experienced player, may well win the place. The two first fiveeighths positions and the halfbacks seem clear-cut. Some of the forward places will be keenly disputed, especially in the lock, flank and No. 8 positions and it is quite possible that players selected in the two B teams could win a place in these positions.

But it is apparent that the team to tour Australia will comprise mainly young players with a sprinkling of experience in the side. The selectors’ task is a difficult one.