Large Element Of Luck In Selection For Trials

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1948, Page 7

Large Element Of Luck In Selection For Trials

Of a great many points raised for future reference by Ihe trials for the selection of the 1949 All Black Rugby team, perhaps the most important is the need to ensure that trials become trials in the full sense of the word.

The great objection to the otherwise splendidly-conducted series of matches this season was that the choice of about 40 players for each game introduced a large element of luck into the selection. There were few cases of players who played in only the second half of a game making a good impression. indeed, of the 30 players in the All Blacks, only two, P. A. Johnstone and N. H. Wilson, both of Otago, could be said to have made reputations on the strength of half a game. Their performance in the second spell of the .final South Island trial at Christchurch greatly pleased the selectors and was the cause of their selection in the final New Zealand trial.

By contrast, a fine Wellington forward, W. F. Crist, after being given a run in only the second spell of the A and B trial at Napier, was not invited to take part in another trial. F. R. Allen has since said that Crist was the best forward on the field in the Auckland-Wellington match at Wellington and the reports of his good play in Wellington’s challenge for the’ Ranfurly Shield against Otago were many and consistent. Loaded Dice Crist’s was not the only case of the kind and the dice were undoubtedly loaded against the man, not already an established star, who played for only half a game. Luck was bound to play a part in the selection of the team. Had T. R. O’Callaghan, of Wellington, not suffered an injury which put him out for the rest of the season he must have been strongly considered for the position of utility back in place of J. W. Goddard, the selected sec-ond-string fullback. E. G. Walker, of the West Coast, who was unable to play in the final South Island trial after he had shown great ability at second five-eighths in the A and B trial at Westport, very likely would have commanded more respect because of his powerful build than the somewhat frail Goddard if he had not been prevented by injury from playing. The choice of the selectors nevertheless appears a sound one and representative of the best in present-day New Zealand Rugby. In the last two or three weeks, and especially since Otago’s close wins from Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, North Island players and enthusiasts

from.- their conversation appear to have derived much encouragement from the discovery that Otago’s is apparently not an invincible team. As a consequence, the fashion of doubting Otago ability has become widespread. The Otago Style What has not been appreciated about Otago’s way of playing the game has been the methodical way in which anything savouring of opportunist practice has been eliminated by .it. This has given an impression of stodginess in the play. Nevertheless, one has only to watch Otago in action to appreciate how strongly the attack is mounted and how constant is the pressure placed upon the opposing team. If the All Black team, on the higher plane of international Rugby, can develop the kind of relentless attack which is the Otago specialty, it most certainly ought to prove successful. The strengths and weaknesses of the sew Zealand team have been gone over many times. If one is optimistic, one may believe with Mr Read Masters, the 1924 All Black, that the players will greatly improve their individual talents on the tour. Even if one is pessimistic, one may, nevertheless, consider the team to have a greater average strength than the 1935 team despatched to England; and Mr M. F. Nicholls, a famous player, has already called it a 30 per cent better team than that of 1928.

The team’s performance will greatly depend on the officers appointed by the New Zealand Rugby Union council in November. At the moment. the favoured candidates, for the various positions are Mr J. H. Parker, the 1924 All Black, for the position of manager, Mr A. McDonald he selector and 1905 All Black, for the position of assistantmanager and coach, F. R. Allen for the captaincy and R. A. Dalton, of Otago, for the vice-captaincy. Allen and Elvidge

Alien’s comparatively indifferent form in the last two trial matches caused suggestions in the south that he should be deposed in the captaincy by R. R. Elvidge, of Otago. Against this, Alien’s record in Australia last year was a good one, and not even Otago enthusiasts or officials throw their hats in the air abefut Elvidge’s tactical ability, fine player and sportsman though he is admitted on every side to be. Maangerial Positions

The managerial positions are of even greater importance than the team appointments. Mr Cavanagh has been suggested for the position of assistantmanager, and it might well be that this efficient provincial coach would prove equally successful with an All Black team.' On the score of age, he makes a ready appeal, for he is about 40, and Mr McDonald is 67.

Players to Meet Australia The trials served the useful purpose of showing up players likely to be called upon for the -All Black team to meet Australia in New Zealand next year.

On form in the trials one might perhaps nominate this team as deserving of selection to hold the fort: — Fullback.—G. E. Sherlock (Wanganui) . Threequarters.—B. McGougan (Bay of-Plenty), J. B. Smith (North Auckland), B. A. Sweet (Auckland). Five-eighths.—E. G. Walker (WestCoast) , L. S. Haig (Otago). Halfback—V. D. Bevan (Wellington).

Back Row. —D. Carlson (Taranaki). Middle Row.—G. F. Henderson (Wairarapa), R. D. Johnstone (Auckland), W. F. Crist (Wellington), R. L. Stuart (Canterbury). Front Row.—A. V. Rowan (Waikato), A. M. Hughes (Auckland), D. H. O’Donnell (Wellington).