All Black Team Is To Be Selected Today

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 5

All Black Team Is To Be Selected Today

U ITER the match between the British Isles and Otago toJay, the New Zealand selectors are expected to announce their team for the first test match at Dunedin on July 18. The Lions jre now well launched on their New Zealand tour, and no doubt the selectors have been greatly interested in the form of several of the country’s top players who have opposed them. But it seems likely that the selectors had their first test team firmly in mind before the Lions landed in the Dominion. They were aided no end by the displays given in the interisland and final trial games at Wellington last month, and after these matches there could have been but few positions in doubt

The first test will be a vital one for both teams and because of its importance it seems likely that experience in big football will influence the selectors in some of their choices.

In Doubt In the back line, three positions are in doubt—left wing, first fiveeighths, and half-back. The two strongest candidates for the left wing’s berth are R. W. Caulton, of Wellington, and E. S. Diack, v of Otago. Both, unfortunately* lack one of the very necessary attributes of an international wing, pace, and in Diack’s case also, a lack of incentive for the earner flag. Notwithstanding Diack’s great effort in the New Zealand Universities game, Caulton will probably be first choice. A player who would do well at left wing is R. M. Smith (Canterbury), but unfortunately for him he did not receive the chances in the final South Island trial at Timaru. But Canterbury enthusiasts know full well Smith’s capabilities. He may lack speed, but nothing else. The young Canterbury right Wing. B McPhail, has also been

freely mentioned as a candidate lor the position, but if the selecWt have any regard for his abuity—and they certainly must bave--they will not consider him for the left flank. He is, at the moment, a specialist right wing, and the change-over to the other wing’s position would prevent him doing either justice to himself or lus country. It will be recalled that Smith, when he played in ms one match for New Zealand against Australia in 1955, was played out of position on the right wing, and, even allowing for the knee injury from which he was suffering, he was at sea in a strange craft. McMullen

R- F. McMullen, P. T. Walsh, and T. R. Lineen, are fairly certain of a place in the side, although, in the case of McMullen, much will depend upon the selectors’ choice of a first five-eighths as to what position he will finally fill It might even be left wing. The experience of R. H. Brown will probably outweigh the brilUance, but lack of international fpotball experience, of A. J Clarke, of Auckland. Clarke, after playing brilliantly in the final trial at Wellington, was for some unaccountable reason not chosen fpr the Auckland team that played the Lions If, however the selectors feel that the situation calls for a very enterprising five-eighths of Clarke’s calibre, it could be that Brown will be sent °ut centre. Again, however, the selectors will be anxious to pin their faith upon the tried and trusted players and for that reason Brown will probably be at first five-eighths. Half-Back

Following upon, this selection, it also seems likffely that K. C. Briscoe. Brown’s provincial halftook, will be the New Zealand half-back. He did nothing to justify this selection in the interisland game, but, then, neither did the other half-backs who played that day. After the inter-island match, all that the South Island could hope for in the way of repre-

sentation was one player—S. F. Hill. After last Wednesday's game, however, another one, K. R. Tremain, must be seriously considered. He has made an extremely rapid advance in his Rugby this season, particularly as a side row forward, and it is here that he is likely to win a place in the first test side. To do this he will have to displace E. A. R. Pickering, who played extremely well in the inter-island game, or P. F. Jones, about whom very little has been heard this year. Hill would undoubtedly strengthen the line-out play of New Zealand, and he, I. N. MacEwan and C. E. Meads, would be a formidable trio to match the line-out play of such as J. Faull, R. Williams, and R. W G. Marques.

Reputation Jones, like I. J. Clarke, R. C. Hemi, and W. J. Whineray, is another who is almost certain of a place—not because of what he has done this year, and • certainly not because of his last year’s efforts—but because of his value as a match winner. To hold his place, however, he will have to show he is completely fit for a sustained effort. Such was not the case last year. The team to be chosen by the selectors could well be:— D. B. Clarke; R. W. Caulton, R. F. McMullen, P. T. Walsh; T. R. Lineen, R. H. Brown, K C. Briscoe; P. F. Jones, K. R. Treniain. S. F Hill. I. N. Mac Ewan, C. E. Meads, I. J. Clarke, R. C. Heml, W. J. Whineray.