Canterbury’s best 12 years on

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 16

Canterbury’s best 12 years on

That formidable body of people, the armchair selectors, demonstrated marked independence of thought when “The Press” held the popular “Canterbury’s Best” rugby contest 12 years ago.

In seven instances the majority public vote differed with the choices made by a panel of seven men, four of whom had been Canterbury selectors. The panel’s choice of “the best” in the period 1946-67 was:—

Backs: Fergie McCormick, Wally Argus, Alan Elsom, Ross Smith, “Buddy” Henderson, Bruce Watt, Pat Vincent. Forwards: Neil Roberts, Kel Tremain, Bob Duff, Nelson Dalzell, “Tiny” Hill, Wilson Whineray, Dennis Young, Ewen Hern.

However, a majority of the 2012 contestants expressed a perference for Kevin Stuart ahead of McCormick at full-back; Maurice Dixon on onp wing instead of Smith; Tom Lynch and Johnny Hotop as the five-eighths

instead of Henderson and Watt; Hugh Burry ahead of Roberts as No 8; John Graham instead of Hill on the flank; and Peter Eastgate ahead of Whineray at prop. Dennis Young gained the greatest percentage of votes cast for a particular position, but Elsom secured the highest aggregate through a substantial number of supporters in the voting for centre and wings. He also picked up one vote from a contestant who placed him at lock.

Hill missed out on the popular vote team, although he was a close third for lock, third among the flankers, and fourth among the back row men. He attracted more votes than anyone, apart from Elsom, Young and Duff. Would the same side be chosen today? It is probable that at least a third of the positions would change hands, with Lyn Davis and Doug Bruce forming an

appealing ticket as the halves; Alex Wyllie storming in as No 8; “the imports,” lan Kirkpatrick and Hamish Macdonald, contesting second row places; Tane Norton hotly challenging Young at hooker; and Kerry Tanner, Billy Bush and Alister Ho pki nso n figuring prominently among the props.

One point to emerge from the competition was that the panel chose three non-All Blacks in its side, Roberts, Hern and Henderson — all Old Boys players, incidentally — and that Hern also won the backing of the voting public.

“He was worth his weight in gold; he must be first choice as a Canterbury prop,” said one member of the panel.

The amiable Hern was distinctly unlucky not to wear the silver fern. But in the hall of fame which exists in many rugby supporters’ minds he obviously holds a prominent place.