Selectors Starting New Search For All Blacks

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30152, 8 June 1963, Page 5

Selectors Starting New Search For All Blacks

The New Zealand and the island Rugby selectors should see every province play at least once before the teams are picked for the All Black trials in September. From these the 30 players to tour the British Isles in 1963-64 will be chosen.

Mr N. J McPhail, convener of the New Zealand selection panel, said yesterday that the New Zealand selectors hoped to see every province play, but if that was not possible they would rely on the assistance of the island selectors

The trial teams may be announced early in September. after the- selectors had been satisfied that they had seen as many players as possible. Mr McPhail emphasised that the All Black trials held in May were for one specific purpose—to choose the teams to play in the tests against England “Those trials and those matches are over. The selec-

tors will now start afresh in their search for players for the trials in September," he said. “Form tn the trial matches, and the tests against England. must have some bearing, but as far as the selectors are concerned there are no automatic choices for the nex’ trials; let alone the tour of Britain ‘There will be many more games played from now to

September, and quite a few new players could come to the fore.”

Fitness for Rugby was one thing the selectors were looking for, he said. Most players were physically fit by now. but what was expected from a player was fitness allied with the hardening needed for a long tour. “If we have to choose between two players of equal ability, and one of the players has toughened himself for a Rugby tour, then he would be chosen first.” said Mr McPhail.