Hockey stars unavailable

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 30

Hockey stars unavailable

(By

K. R. TUTTY)

The unavailability of two of New Zealand’s most accomplished hockey players. the brothers Selwyn and Barry Maister. for the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur next March will be greeted with mixed feelings. The Maisters and J. H. Christensen, another experienced player who made himself unavailable for the World Cup last month, have served New Zealand well for the last six years.

But during the last two years and a half they have been playing hockey almost continuously. Their form last season was below standard — probably because of too much hockey — and they consider they need a break. The decision will be the right one for themselves and New Zealand in the long term, because the three still have several years of hockey left, and with a much needed break will be strong contenders if a team is chosen for the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

The loss of Barry Maister and Christensen in the forwards will be felt less than Selwyn Maister in the defence. His withdrawal has left only three defenders in the World Cup trials—at

Queen Elizabeth II Park on October 12 and 13 — with international tournament experience. With players like J. V. Archibald, R. U. Patel, A. Parkin, and A. Mclntyre to choose from, the forwards should lose little in strength. DEFENCE A. Ineson and A. Chesney, who played in the World Cup in Amsterdam last year; will shoulder the bulk of the responsibility on defence, if chosen, and P. D. Ackerley, a secondary member of the defence at the international tournament in Christchurch in February, should play a more prominent role. Ineson will probably have to be played in the halves, so the national selectors (Messrs J. R. Gillespie, B. A, Turner and T. E. Blake) Will have to find two new full-backs. They have brought in an Auckland full-back, S'. Mills, to replace Selwyn Maister at the trials, obviously with this in mind. Mills is experienced and solid if not brilliant. The probable three fullback positions are likely to be filled by new caps, and an extra mid-field position is likely to be available. Mr Gillespie said last evening that the opportunity was there for young players to

make the team if they showed up at the trials. If the team did well at the World Cup, or even maintained New Zealand’s present rating of about sixth, there would be hot competition for places in the New Zealand team next season

Another skillful and valuable player, A. Borren, is undecided whether he will be available for the trials and the tournament. Competent either as a half or forward, his loss would be a blow to the team. MUNT IN Barry .Maister’s place in the trials has 1 been taken by a Canterbury player, L. Munt. Although not a member of the Challenge Shield team this year, Munt played in minor representative matches. Mr Gillespie said that the selectors would name two squads for a match to be played on October 12. “We want to get away from a trial match atmosphere, and we (the selectors) want to be free to watch, so a couple of local coaches will be appointed to the teams.”