“FIVE BEST PLAYERS”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30130, 14 May 1963, Page 17

“FIVE BEST PLAYERS”

3 All Blacks Selected (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 12. Three 1962 All Blacks haze been included in the “five best players of the year” named by the Australian Rugby almanac, a copy of which was received in Wellington today. They are Wellington lock, I. N. Macewan. the Auckland flanker, W, J. Nathan, and the Auckland half-back and AM Black vice-captain, D. M. Connor. The other two are the Australian forwards, R. H. Thornett and R. Heming. The ahnanac is edited by the Sydney sports writer, P. L. Tresidder. “Blessed with remarkable speed, Nathan relished the hard Australian grounds,” the almanac says. “His quick anticipation enabled him to capitalise on the dropped ball and his form never faltered through the Australian tour.” The almanac describes Connor as a superb passing half-back and a first-class general. “Connor ranks in the top bracket of outstanding half-backs Australia has produced since the war. “This was Macewan’s third trip to Australia and each time he left an impression as an international forward of the highest order.” The almanac describes the All Black team which toured Australia in 1962 as “highly competent but not quite up to the pre-tour billing. As an all-round, hard-hitting unit the 1982 All Blacks did mot measure up to Freddie Alien’s great 1947 tourists or Pointy Reid's bright 1957 side.”