FEW SURPRISES IN LEAGUE SQUAD

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30712, 30 March 1965, Page 14

FEW SURPRISES IN LEAGUE SQUAD

Apart from tho selection of Martin (Sydenham) In preference to A. N. Amer (Papanui) and the omission of D. A. Condlck (Hornby), the Canterbury Rugby League training squad contains no contentious selections. Amer has greater experience and more speed than Martin who has never really impressed in representative football. It Is unfortunate that the selectors have not seen fit to give Amer another opportunity to prove himself for last season his form was close to that which won him Kiwi honours in 1961.

One of Canterbury’s most promising forwards last season, Condlck was expected to press for higher honours this year. Last year he replaced M. H. Mohl (Marist) in the Canterbury team but the selectors have preferred Mohi on this occasion.

The squad announced last evening bv the selectors (Messrs E. Butts, R. K. Andrews and D. L. Blanchard) is:—

G. H. Turner (Papanui). E. J. Tavendale (Papanui). J. H. Fisher (Addington), B. T. Barron (Svdenham), M. H. Mohi (Marist), I. T. Drayton (Hornby), J. A. Flanagan (Linwood), J. L. White (Addington). R. S. J. Irvine (Marist), J. A. Bond (Papanui), J. M. Bray (Hornby), J. Hawthorne (Papanui), J. Martin (Sydenham), R. O. Moffat (Hornby), P. V. Smith

(Marlst), P. J. Tongue (Hornby), and C. C. Preece (Sydenham). The captain will be Bond. Five players who have been selected to play for The Rest against Canterbury on April 19 have not been considered for the squad. They are R. Naish (Kaiapol), R. A. Neiman (Hornby), G. H. Clarke (Papanui), B. W. Langton (Hornby), and E. Butterfield (Sydenham). The Canterbury coach for 1965 is Mr Butts. The Canterbury board last evening decided to nominate two Canterbury men, Messrs D. L. Blanchard and Butts, for the positions of South Island selector. Messrs Blanchard, Butts and W. Telford (Auckland) were nominated as New Zealand selectors. Rothmans Change The board will write to the New Zealand Council agreeing to the proposed change In the national Rothmans tournament with certain reservations. Although Canterbury agrees to the change from a club to a provincial basis it regards the tournament as very successful at club level and would like deep consideration to be taken by the council before the change. Mr R. K. Andrews said the new provincial tournament would cater for the better players and not the “rank and file” club player. The financial risk would be borne by the leagues If the basis was changed, said Mr L. R. Huston. The clubs had responded well to the tournament and now they have no Incentive. The proposed change could add to Canterbury’s representative fixture list, said Mr L. R. Blackler. If Canterbury won the Northern Union Cup at Auckland it would be obliged to play against Wellington both in the tournament and for the cup.

Mr A. Murdock asked If the scheme would again come up for consideration prior to the 1966 season if it was approved. The chairman (Mr D. C. Wilson) said the club tournament had disrupted the league’s championship competition.