RUGBY TRIALS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1930, Page 11

RUGBY TRIALS

LEADING PLAYERS OMITTED

11l connection with the trial match to be played at Wellington on 11th June, it is understood that the Now Zealand selectors are not confining their choice of the Test team to the players taking part in that trial. It will not be in the trials alone that the selectors will have opportunities of forming their opinion of the players, as they hope to pay particular attention to form shown in ■ matches in which provincial sides will be mooting the British t^eam. Before the first Test is played at Duncdin on 21st June, representatives of Wanganui, Taranaki, Manawhenua, Wairarapa, Bush, Wellington, Canterbury, Buller, West Coast, and Otago will have--been in action against the tourists, and the New Zealand selection committee is bound to bo represented at most of these games. In the case of tlie Wanganui match, last Wednesday, however, the New Zealand selectors could not bo present, as they were •in Christchurch for the South' Island trial on the same day.1 •■ ■ 'I At. the same time the selection of the teams for the -trial on -11th June has created a feeling of uneasiness regarding the chances of some of the leading players, in view of the fact that several players who had particularly strong claims for inclusion have been passed over. Correspondents have written to "Tho Post' 3 on the subject, and one ("Not An Athletic Supporter-) is particularly concerned over the noninclusion of Porter in the triaL "And once again the New "Zealand seloetors," he writes, "have with carefree abandon omitted to choose a player whose all-round ability cannot be equal led anywhero in New Zealand or in any other country. In his place they have chosen two other players—one a player who has been tried on the international field before, and who has failed, the other a player from a province whoso local amendment to the rules prevents any player there from becoming adept iv that position—the position of wingforward. . ..-.

This year Porter is playing at the top of his form —playing up to the reputation he has earned both at Home and abroad. Witness tho statement of A. C. Wallace, the captain of the Wara-' tah team which recently toured England, 'Who said that in his opinion Porter was the greatest all-round player the game of Eugby has produced."

The correspondent also criticises the omission from the final trial of Dalley, Kilby, and Lindsay.