“BEST PLAYERS NOT GIVEN CHANCE” Nepia concerned about choice of backs

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 22

“BEST PLAYERS NOT GIVEN CHANCE” Nepia concerned about choice of backs

(New Zealand Press Association) TAURANGA. New Zealand would not beat the British Lions in the coming test series unless the selectors name the best inside backs available, the famous former AH Black full-back, George Nepia, said yesterday.

Nepia, who will be 66 on April 25, said that the All Black selectors had left themselves with a giant problem because they did not include one or two of the country’s promising attacking backs for last year’s’ South African tour. “The first five-eighths position could be a big worry unless the All Black selectors

pick the best players,” he said.

“Blair Furlong, of Hawke’s Bay, went to South Africa as understudy to Earl Kirton. Yet, before and after the South African tour, Furlong has only been considered as an average provincial fiveeighths.” SELECTION BLUNDER

Nepia, who represented New Zealand 48 times, said the selectors blundered by not sending the young Auckland five-eighths, A. Watkins, to South Africa.

“Watkins must be the first five-eighths,” he said. “I am impressed with his ability to beat an opponent. “There were too many good young backs who were never named for South Africa' and should have been given a chance.

“Gaining valuable experience in South Africa would have proven invaluable against the Lions.” Another player he felt should have gone to South Africa was the powerful Wellington left-wing, R. Gray.

Nepia said the All Blacks should be able to name a strong forward pack to hold the Lions up front, “but our inside backs will be important.” Nepia also said that too many promising youngsters were drifting away from Rugby in their ’teens because they were pushed too hard by zealous coaches while only five, six, or seven years old.

“Young children these days have the fundamentals rigidly drilled into them long before they are 10 years old. A child is sick of it all by the time ‘he is aged 15,” he said.

“Bryan Williams has only become a great player because he was not pushed at school and has emerged from a gradual building-up process.” ,