15-Man Soccer Squad Named

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 14

15-Man Soccer Squad Named

The four professional player-coaches in Christchurch—G. Evans (City), T. Conley (New Brighton), J. Chalmers (Technical O.B.) and R. Batchelor (Nomads)—have been included in the Canterbury 15-man soccer squad to play Otago at Rangers Park next Sunday.

The squad, announced by the sole selector (Mr V. R. Smith) yesterday is: D Smith (Western), A. Westwood (City), A. Hawthorne (Nomads), A. Gowans (City), Evans, H. Taylor (Shamrock), R. Bruce (City), Conley, P. Kay (H. 5.0.8. D. Torkington (Western), F. Madrussen (City), P. Frost (Western), Batchelor, Chalmers, D. Watson (City). Only Frost, Batchelor, Chalmers and Watson have not played in the two trial games already held this season.

The match with Otago has been arranged to give both provinces practice under competitive conditions before the £lO,OOO international tournament which begins on Easter Saturday (April 17) when Canterbury plays New Caledonia and Otago meet Queensland in first round matches. “However, it is not necessary this squad will be the final selection,” said Mr Smith. It is hoped by the Canterbury selector that the match against Otago will not be played under normal rules, when players can only be changed up to the 44th minute, and only if a player is injured.

“If that is the case, however, the team will be picked at the ground on Saturday from the 15 players named,” said Mr Smith. “But we hope to persuade Otago to waive the normal match rules for the sake of both provinces. If it agrees, the 15 players will be interchanged to give each an opportunity to play in some part of the game.”