RUGBY Selectors’ Absence At N. Otago Games Deplored

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30178, 9 July 1963, Page 18

RUGBY Selectors’ Absence At N. Otago Games Deplored

Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, July 8. After it* representative team's win over Otago subunions at Ranfurly last Saturday, the North Otago Rugby Union’s management committee tonight deplored lack of interest shown by the South Island selectors. **l was surprised that Mr D H. Hamilton (a South Island selector) was not at Ranfurly on Saturday—it was right at his back door,” the president, Mr I. R. Hodges, •aid at a meeting of the union in Oatnaru. “This is pretty poor.” Mr G. S. Blackie said the South Island team was to be selected after the OtagoSouthland match on August 3 But the itinerary of Mr N. McPhail, a South Island and

New Zealand selector, indicated that his only chance of seeing North Otago players was if they were selected for the South Island team. Since two South Island selectors had been in Christchurch on Saturday, it was fair to expect two to watch the game between North Otago and Southland at Invercargill on July 20, Mr Blackie argued. Ladicrous Position Otherwise. North Otago players would probably not be seen before the South Island team was selected, making the position ludicrous.

Mr L. George, a South Island selector, had promised to be at the North OtagoSouthland match, Mr Hedges said. On the motion of Mr Blackie it was decided to advise the South Island selectors that the union would like at least two to attend the North Otago-Southland match or to see North Otago's early games on the Seddon Shield districts tour, before the South Island team was selected. The North Otago representative programme is also to be sent to the selectors.