Two-man panel to remain

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 34

Two-man panel to remain

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

The decline in Canterbury’s rugby fortunes this year will not bring any changes in the system by which the provincial A side is selected and coached. The Canterbury Rugby Union decided this week to continue with the system of a two-man panel, one man being responsible for the forwards and the other for the backs. As has been the practice in recent years, the appointments will be made in No-, vember. Nominations will close on Thursday, November 13, and the vote taken at the next meeting of the union, probably on November 25.

Last year the union looked seriously at changing to a sole selector-coach, but eventually decided to retain the two-man panel that- has operated for almost 50 years. Only Mr M. R. Barnett expressed a belief in the sole selector method when the topic was discussed this

week, but said that he saw no point in forcing the issue in view of the lengthy deliberations that were held last year. Last year Gerald Wilson and Neil Cornelius were chosen from a list of nine nominations and in the light of Canterbury’s record this year there could be as many again. Mr Wilson, who is coming to the end of his fourth year as the back selector, saidyesterday that he had given no thought as yet to next year, but Mr Cornelius, who is in his first year, said he would be seeking re-election. Laurie O'Reilly, who was an unsuccessful candidate last year, but who has since won the senior title with University A, said yesterday that his present plans for next year did not go beyond having another season with University A. But he did not rule out the possibility of accepting nomination for Canterbury if it was offered to him.,. .

There are undoubtedly others of a similar mind. ,