TOUR MANAGERS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 18

TOUR MANAGERS

Mr F. D. Kilby, of Wellington (right), and Mr N. J. McPhail, of Christchurch have been appointed as managers of the New Zealand team to tour the British Isles and France in 1963-64. They were the only nominations received by the executive council of the New Zealand Rugby Union at its meeting yesterday. Mr Kilby, who will act as manager, represented New Zealand as a half-back in 1928, 1932 and 1934 while playing for Wellington. He captained New Zealand in 1934

He was a Rugby administrator in Wellington after he finished playing and in 1955 was elected a member of the executive council of the Rugby Union. He has been on the council since then. Mr McPhail will be assistant manager, a position usually taken by the convener of the New Zealand selection panel. He played 32 matches for Canterbury before the war as a No. 8 and was a member of the Kiwi team of 1945-46.

Mr McPhail retired from first class Rugby in 1946 and coached club teams, including the successful High School Old Boys’ team. In 1955 he became the Canterbury forward coach. During his term, until 1957, Canterbury beat South Africa and New Zealand He was appointed a New Zealand selector in 1961, and while he has been in office New Zealand has not been beaten in the nine tests. “Finest Hour”

“This is certainly my finest hour.” said Mr Kilby, after council members had greeted the appointments with acclamation. “I deeply appreciate the honour of being appointed manager of an All Black touring team. "I am fully aware of the responsibilities involved, but this council had indicated that I can do the job and it is up to me to prove it ” Mr Kilby said he was confident he would have the fullest support from Mr McPhail and they would do their very best to make the tour a success.