FEW SURPRISES IN TEAM

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28939, 6 July 1959, Page 12

FEW SURPRISES IN TEAM

Since the inter-island game, South Island enthusiasts have been fully expecting the choice of a North Island-laden side for the first test, and it is no surprise that 13 of the test 15 are from the North Island. Individually, however, the selections are not without their surprises. In the back line there are two —E. S. Diack on the left wing and R. J. Urbahn at half-back. In the inter-island game Diack did not have the chances to show his ability, nor did he have particularly successful trial appearances. He scored 13 points—including two tries—for New Zealand Universities against the Lions last week in Christchurch, but at Dunedin on Saturday once again the chances did not go his way, and he had little to do on attack or defence. He is too slow for a wing who in two weeks will be expected to oppose a player with the guile of P. B. Jackson, or the speed of J. R. C. Young.

Urbahh is one' of the 12 test players who have yet to play against the Lions. He is also one of the three new caps. His form in the last trial was not that of an All Black. The best of the half-backs that day was W Batchelor, uflio played such an outstanding game for Otago in the wet on Saturday. On this display, Batchelor merited serious consideration. Another who has played well against the Lions is C. G. Henderson (Wellington), in the Universities game. The most unexpected feature, however, is the dropping of the big King Country forward, C E. Meads, in favour of a new cap, B. E. L. Finlay. Finlay’s play as a side-ranker in the inter-island match won him his cap. He was extremely fast to the loose ball, and his speed, more than that of any other North Island forward, enabled the North Island to succeed so well with its play from the tackled ball.

The dropping of Meads will now place the burden of line-out play on S. F. Hill and I. N. Mac Ewan.

Not all will agree with some of the selectors’ choices, but by and large the selectors have chosen a very strong side which has weight, yet speed, in the forwards, and great thrust in the backs.

Lake Ida Skating.—About 350 persons, including several church groups, visited Lake Ida on Saturday. A gusty north-wester blew throughout the day. Ice on the lake surface was a little wet but perfect for skating. Before the last person left, light snow was falling.