Canterbury Nominates 10 For All Blacks

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31975, 30 April 1969, Page 15

Canterbury Nominates 10 For All Blacks

Two half-backs are among the 10 players nominated by the Canterbury Rugby selectors for the All Black trial match at Wellington on May 17.

'fhe players are J. L. Davis (Suburbs), the regular Canterbury A

half-back, and B. F. Elder (Linwood), the former Wairarapa vice-captain, who came to Christchurch this year. Davis has been placed first in order of preference.

The nominations made my theselectors (Dr J. D. Stewart and Mr M. J. Dixon) were approved by the selectors (Dr J. union’s management committee last evening. The players are:— ■i Forwards.—f. H. Penrose i (New Brighton), A J. Wyllieil (Glenmark), J. F. Burns'’

(Marist), I. A. Kirkpatrick (Rangiora), A. E. Hopkinson (Cheviot). Backs —Davis. Elder. W. D. Cottrell (Suburbs). R. J. Woolhouse (Linwood). W'. F. McCormick (Linwood). Most of the players nominated have established reputations at national level Kirkpatrick. Hopkinson. Cottrell and McCormick have all played for New Zealand, while Wyllie. Burns and Davis have appeared for the South Island. Elder has been a prominent All Black trialist since 1966. Although they have yet to achieve recognition above provincial level, Penrose and Woolhouse have earned nomination by their consistently good play for Canterbury’ last season and their fine form so far this year. Penrose, an expert cover

defender and a man with a Hair for initiating attacks, has been an inspiring leader for New Brighton and Canterbury. Woolhouse, a specialist leftwing. has shown great determination as well as speed in his recent games, and he might be a distinct success if he gains selection among the

select company of 30 for the Wellington trial. The Wellington nominations for the trial were also announced last night. They are: 0. G. Stephens, M. 0. Knight. R. L. Gray, G. F. Kember. M. Blackburn. 1. N. Stevens. K. F. Gray, B. Guy, G. C. Williams. W. Nicholls and A. R. Leslie.

The All Black team to play the first test against Wales at Christchurch on May 31 will be announced on the night of Saturday, May 24. This was decided at a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union executive. The selectors will make their final decision in Hamilton after the final trials. The trials players will be announced in Auckland on May 6.