Kerrigan not eligible?

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33728, 28 December 1974, Page 4

Kerrigan not eligible?

Eddie Kerrigan, the only South Islander to represent the New Zealand Maoris Rugby League team in its two fixtures last season, will probably not be eligible for the Maori squad which will take part in the Pacific Cup tournament in Papua New Guinea in April and Mav.

The New Zealand Rugby League has ruled that players likely to be chosen for 'the full Kiwi side to visit Australia from midMay until about June 9 cannot be considered for the Maoris. Kerrigan made a pleasing test debut on the left wing in three matches against Great Britain earlier this year and should retain his place on the Australian trip.

. Trials for the Maori team will be held in Auckland during Easter week-end, with two games on the Saturday and one the next day. For most players it will be their first competitive outing of the season, and past form will have to be taken into account to a large extent. Apart from Kerrigan, five other Maoris or Islanders— Dennis Williams, Bill Burgoyne, Lindsay Proctor, Don Mann (now retired) and Peter Gurnick — were test representatives against Britain, and Dave Sorensen

withdrew because of illness. All leagues will be requested to make nominations for the Maori trials, and the New Zealand Maori Council has plans under way to raise $lO,OOO for the first overseas venture by the Maoris since the 1956 Australian tour. Mr Tom Newton, a longserving Maori administrator

and the new member of the New Zealand selection panel, replied to some criticism of northern-dominated selections by saying in Christchurch recently that South Island candidates would have an excellent chance of making the four trial sides.

The itinerary for the brief Kiwi tour of Australia has not yet been finalised, but it is likely to embrace about five warm-up fixtures in Queensland and New South Wales and the opening world championship match against Australia.