New Zealand Squad May Be Larger

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32336, 30 June 1970, Page 15

New Zealand Squad May Be Larger

The size of the New Zealand Rugby league squad for the second test against Great Britain at Christchurch on July 19 would not be decided until after the first international at Auckland on Saturday week, the convener of selectors (Mr I). L. Blanchard) said last evening.

Mr Blanchard said that a will assemble in Auckland on (larger number of players than Monday to prepare for the ! required might be selected to ® rst test '

travel to Christchurch for preliminary training for the test. If this was the case then the final composition of the team and reserves would not be known until after the selectors (Messrs Blanchard, D. A. Barchard and M. W. Church) had watched the tourists play a Wellington Invitation XIII at Wellington on the Tuesday before the test I' match. Players representing the Northern XIII in the openin; game of the tour at Tokoroa: on July 8 would also be considered. All members of that team were selected for the final Kiwi trials or the national coaching school that preceded the trials last week. Mr Blanchard said that he was not certain when the Wellington Inviation XIII would be announced although the selectors had sent a team list to the Wellington Rugby League for approval. The invitation XIII is expected to contain about seven! players from outside Wellington. The New Zealand team|