Balanced Team Is Main Aim

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32018, 19 June 1969, Page 20

Balanced Team Is Main Aim

"Th« Press” special Service AUCKLAND. , . Mid-field backs of youth, speed, quick footwork, nimble brains—and good hands—should step up their training. With a bit of luck, a proportion of them could see South Africa next year as members of the touring All Blacks team.

The convener of the New Zealand selection panel, Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich, made this clear when reviewing the test series against Wales. “The three of us on the committee, Les George, Pat Walsh and myself, intend to see as many promising young backs as we possibly can between now and the national under-23 trials at Wellington in August. “It is always very difficult to find Rugby teams, even at test match level, which are perfecly balanced. “Just now, we have magnificent forwards. It would not be easy to question their quality. “Without being in the least disrespectful, I think It might be said that there is, at the moment, an imbalance,” said Mr Vodanovicb. “That is why we, as a selec-

lon committee, are so much Interested in getting a sight of youngsters under 23 who can move with speed and elusiveness, in the manner of the best of the Welsh backs. “The under-23 trials at New Plymouth in 1967 produced lan Kirkpatrick and they helped to bring on Grahame Thorne. That was a pretty rich sort of dividend. “We are hoping for the same sort of return, or even better, from the Wellington trials. “We have one aim—to produce, in time for South Africa, an All Black team as nearly perfect in balance as Is possible.”