ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL N.Z. TEST TEAM FOR AUSTRALIAN MATCH APPROVED

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1948, Page 4 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL N.Z. TEST TEAM FOR AUSTRALIAN MATCH APPROVED

The 14 Soccer players sorted out by the New Zealand sole selector (Mr T. W Dick) should meet with general approval as being the country's best to meet Australia in the First Test at the Basin Reserve, s'ays the Sports Post, Some must have missed out very narrowly. The crux of the team—a solid hall line—is not yet settled and it would occasion no surprise if Mr Dick does not announce the three names until the morning of the match, particularly so far as the centre-half berth is concerned. , If the ground is heavy, there is not much doubt that M. Gordon will go into the team. He is a great wetweather player and magnificent on defence. The recent form of Phil Traynor has been so outstanding, however, that he might well go into the side. The right-half position seems to be a toss-up between V. Smith (Canterbury) and D. McKissock (Wellington), as it would seem Hutchinson is the logical choice as left-half. From an attacking point of view, there are many supporters Avho would favour a line composed of Smith, Traynor, and McKissock.

McKissock onlv arrived from England this year and has won his way into the New Zealand team with consistently good displays. Two weeks ago, T. Methven gave a polished display at right-half for Ohakea against Waterside. Last week he represented the R.N.Z.A.F. at in-side-right and evidently impressed the selector so much that he has been included in the forwards.

There is one position which has caused the selector little worry—that of goalkeeper. King (Auckland) played a great game against the R.N.Z.A.F. in the mud.

In front of him P. Harris (Wellington) and Hodgson (Auckland) should team up well and make a reliable pair of backs.

The team, is a likely-looking one and it only remains for the players to produce their best, to go all out for the whole 90 minutes and they may at last put New Zealand on the Soccer map.