CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 122, 23 May 1908, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE.

"QUEER TACTICS." TO THE XDITOB. Sir, — The football public generally is puzzling itself as to the nature of the "gag" which the selectors of tho representative team are working. Is there any excuse for their action in not finally selecting the fifteen on Monday last? Every schoolboy in Wellington has picked a team long ago, and it will be found his selection just about includes the best fifteen players available, irrespective of club. Otago made no bones in announcing its choice, and the fact that the' team chosen to fight in the biggest match, of this provinces's (Wellington) history, is not known up to four days prior to tha kick-off reveals an undesirable state of affairs. ' In any case, why are, sixteen forward* (two complete teams) picked to go into training, whilst only a bare rearguard (plus one emergency back) is announced? There is a suspicion thjat the selector* are making a convenience of some of these forwards, inasmuch. -as the belief. Is prevalent that the" team' "has actually been . selected, and that the remaining eight forwards are being utilised to provide scrummaging practice foe tha "rep." pack ! Even if that is not the case, it is evident the best results will not be got out of the training operations, because each, man knows there is an even chance ha will not be in the final selection, and consequently will not over-exert himself. (Quite right too !) Those players who have stated their intention of not attending "gym. practices" are not only, justified in their action, but are also entitled to sympathy. There has been far too much secrecy in Rugby matters this season, and patrons of the sport (i.e., the men who pay) are feeling sore at not being taken into confidence to a certain extent. In conclusion, the obvious duty of a selector is to pick a man on his merits from personal observation, and by use of his own judgment. Surely tho days have passed when representative teams are composed of. six Ponekes, five Petones, and four Orientals (or Melrose). Had the team been available on Monday as expected, tho selectors would have displayed a kindly, consideration for the hundreds of "barrackers" who have already lost four nights' sleep pondoring over the personnel of the Wellington fifteen.— l am. etc., TOM H. JONES. , 22nd May.