Attacking Backs Sought

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 3

Attacking Backs Sought

(N Z Press Association) j AUCKLAND, May 30. Tries would be more important now that D. B. Clarke was not available to kick goals from half-way, said Mr F. R. Allen, chairman of the North Island Rugby selection panel, today. Discussing prospects for the coming trials and the inter-island match, he said attacking backs who could beat their man and score tries were more important than those who played safe. Asked if the player who based his game on tactical kicking was likely to be preferred, with the Springbok games next, Mr Allen said “No.

“I feel we must choose attacking backs, not players who go stupid with the ball, but those who know when to attack and have the ability to beat a man and score tries.

“We all know that back play is not possible until the forwards get on top. and so the choice of the pack is the most important part. “But behind the pack must be men who can take advantage of the opportunities giver them by the pack. We expect the pack to win the ball and the backs to score the tries." Today, Mr Allen reviewed more than 100 nominations for the North Island trials in Palmerston North on June 15 After the trials the North Island team will be chosen to meet South in Wellington on June 19. A Possibles-Probables game as a curtain-raiser to the interisland match will allow the selectors another look at other hopefuls.

Players who had been given opportunities in the past and been found wanting would not be included in the trials, but the Whinerays. Meads and Grays, even though their ability was known, would be named. Mr Allen said. “We know the players who have the potential and those who haven’t." he said.

“If there’s someone we think is really good, the best way to test him is to put him

up against a player we know is good. For that reason, trials are very important to the selectors.” Mr Allen said he had been disappointed by the game in Whangarei and the Auckland Counties match at Papakura “in regard to certain players. “However, there’s no one position troubling us. I feel we have three or four good men for every position, and the problem will be to narrow them down to 15.” He said the 30-year-old loose forward, R. J. Conway, of Bay of Plenty, was playing excellent Rugby. “He’s learnt to go back now. Previously, he was only a good player going forward. He was the best forward on the field in the Okara Park game." Tomorrow. Mr Allen will watch an Auckland team play the Barbarians. Next Saturday he will see Thames Valley play King Country, on the Monday morning he will watch Wanganui play Taranaki and in the afternoon see Wellington and Manawatu meet. That evening he and the other North Island selectors, Messrs D. Christian and J. Patterson, will meet to choose ’the trial teams.