Snafu forces delay in naming panel

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 56

Snafu forces delay in naming panel

By

JOHN COFFEY

A misunderstanding over the availability of Gary Clarke, of Canterbury, was the main cause of the New Zealand Rugby League board of directors deciding last evening to delay the appointment of the 1987 national selection panel until next month.

Mr Clarke said yesterday the first inkling he had that his name had been put forward for consideration was from a radio news item on Tuesday. He was not available, and promptly informed Canterbury officials of the situation.

The late withdrawal of Mr Clarke left the West Coast coach and former Kiwi forward and captain, Tony Coll, as the only nominee for the South Island position on the panel.

The Canterbury Rugby League secretary-mana-ger, Mannie Underwood, said yesterday that there was not sufficient time for his board of control, or its emergency committee, to reopen discussions on the subject and find another candidate. A former test and World Cup inside back, successful club and Canterbury coach, and a New Zealand selector in 1983 and 1984, Mr Clarke said he was shocked to hear on the radio he was among the contenders.

"I had it confirmed that I was not hearing things, then got straight on to the Canterbury Rugby League and told them I was not available,” said Mr Clarke. He traced the mistake back to a conversation he had with a South Island team official some months ago. “I was asked then if I would stand for the vacant position and said yes, it was worth considering. Apparently my reply was relayed to a member of the board of control, and it was taken for granted I was still interested. “But during the two or

three months in between I have been flat out in my business, to the extent that I am expanding the plant. I had been thinking of having another go at coaching, and was approached by a club, but work has had to come first,” he said. “To be honest, I was pleased no-one had been in touch with me about standing as a New Zealand selector. From past experience, I knew there were certain forms to be filled in when such nominations are made and I certainly hadn’t seen any this year. “That’s why it was such a shock to hear on the radio that Tony (Coll) and I had both been nominated from the South Island,” said Mr Clarke. Mr Underwood said Mr Clarke had been nominated in the belief he was available, the members of the board not realising Mr Clarke’s expression of interest had been made so long ago. “The request for nominations came late from the N.Z.R.L. and we had to get in quick and lively,” said Mr Underwood. “Our understanding was that Mr Clarke was prepared to stand and had said so shortly beforehand, not months earlier. “As soon as I heard of his business commitments his name was withdrawn. But yesterday (Tuesday) was too late, even for the emergency committee, to start from scratch and find another person,” said Mr Underwood.

Canterbury and other provinces will have an opportunity to make new nominations before the N.Z.R.L. makes the panel appointment on January 21.

No official explanation was given last evening as to the reasons why the selectors were not chosen, other than the complication of Mr Clarke’s nonavailability. However, the president of the N.Z.R.L., George Rainey said before the meeting — and before he knew Mr Clarke would not be standing — that district coaches were unlikely to be promoted to the panel because of a possible conflict of loyalties.

Mr Rainey was referring to the Northern Districts coach, Laurie Stubbing, who was nominated by Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Midlands ahead of the sitting member and national convener, Bill O’Callaghan, who is also the N.Z.R.L. vice-presi-dent.

Taking that reasoning a step further, the directors were probably reluctant to accept Mr Coll, the present West Coast coach, as the sole South Island candidate without his nomination having the blessing of at least one other province.

At least two new selectors will help choose the Kiwi sides for the home series against France next year. The coach-elect, Tony Gordon, replaces Graham Lowe, and the South Island vacancy was created by the death earlier this year of Ces Clark (West Coast). Bill Sorensen will again represent Auckland, and Colin O’Neil is to have a second season as the Central Districts member. It is probable that Mr O’Callaghan will receive a nomination from the board of directors’ table to enter a ballot with Mr Stubbing.