Guesswork Inevitable In Choice Of South Island Rugby Team

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30478, 27 June 1964, Page 11

Guesswork Inevitable In Choice Of South Island Rugby Team

YVHEN the South Island ’* selectors (Messrs N. J. McPhail, V. L. George, and D. Hamilton) meet today to select the South Island team they are required to take part in a game Of blind-man’s-bluff.

Unfortunately the selectors will not have seen Otago, Southland, South Canterbury or North Otago play, simply because those unions will not have taken part in any representative matches.

So the team will have to be chosen, mainly on performances by Canterbury teams against West Coast, Buller, and Mid-Canterbury and a match between Nelson and Marlborough and consideration of last year’s form probably carrying most weight

And there will be a further contingency. The assistant manager of the New Zealand Colts’ team that toured Australia (Mr J. L. Finlay)- will .report to the selectors on the performances of the seven South Island players in the colts’ team.

It is an unfortunate situation. Some players may miss selection simply because they have not been seen, not because of any lack of ability. Also it is in these

circumstances that selectors have to do some bartering between provinces. The choice of full-back will depend on how the selectors treat W. A. Davies. If Davies is chosen as a fiveeighths- then W. F. McCormick should be full-back, for Davies will be able to do the goal-kicking. But it seems that Davies will find it very hard to gain the second five-eighths position. His display for New Zealand Universities against Australian Universities was not very encouraging, mainly because of his lack of speed. If Davies is not chosen, D { C. Leary could have a grand chance. His form in club Rugby has been excellent and he is a very reliable. kicker. W. M. Birtwistle, D. H. Montgomery and I. S. T. Smith (OtagO) are the players with the best qualifications for the wing positions. All have abundant speed and ability to beat a man . Birtwistle’s sometimes sketchy defence may be a factor that could count against him. Smith was the South Island centre last year and could be called on again, although his inability to . give well-timed passes is his biggest failing in that position.

R. C. Moreton appeals more for the centre’s position. He is a good provider of chances for his wings and also is a dangerous runner. If Moreton is the centre, Arnold will be the second five-eighths. However, his brilliant attacking play is still undisciplined and he showed in the ChristchurchUniversity A club match that when the game is not running for him that, he can do some incredibly stupid things. But even with that failing he is still a matchwinner. The first five-eighths position will be a toss-up be-

tween E. W. Kirton and B. A. Watt Watt, although playing soundly, has not had much sparkle about his play so far this season; but Kirton also has not been very impressive. Watt, because of his experience and steadiness could be preferred although Kirton when playing well, and with C. R. Laidlaw, can inject more speed into a back line. D. J. Graham is certain to be one of the loose forwards and others who will be considered are R. Wainohu, D. Clark and L. A. Scherp

(Otago), T. N. Lister, a member of the Colts team who also is a good line-out forward, and M. Hanham (Mid-Canterbury). The choice of locks is easier. Only A. J. Stewart and M. C. Meikle seem to have the requisite strength and height, although H. Morrison (Otago) and R. Barber (North Otago) could be in the running. The’All Black, J. M. Le Lievre will be one prop and the other could be the Southland player, K. F. Borland or the Colts player E. Fitzsimmons (Nelson). G. T. McLennan, a powerful Otago player is another who must be considered. Now that D. Young has retired, J. N._ Creighton should be assured of the hooker's place but he may have some competition from the Southland player. S. R. Hardiman, who has hooked well for the Colts and outhooked the Wallaby, P. Johnson.

A possible team could be: W. F. McCormick; W. M. Birtwistle, R. C. Moreton, I. S. T. Smith; D. A. Arnold; E. W. Kirton; C. R. Laidlaw; D. W. Clark; D. J. Graham, M. C. Meikle, A. J. Stewart, T. N. Lister; J. M. Le Lievre, J. N. Creighton, E. N. Fitzsimmons.