SELECTING ALL BLACKS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22593, 23 March 1948, Page 4

SELECTING ALL BLACKS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

TUG New Zealand Rugby Union’s announcement of the places where the 16 trial games for the selection of the All Black team to tour South Africa next year will be played is a cheering reminder that the end of the summer and autumn seasons does not mean the end of sporting fixtures of great interest to the public. Indeed it is still true that Rugby football is New Zealand’s most national game—a team game in which she is more efficient than in any other. An important issue looming up is the new trial of strength against another Dominion—-South Africa. After two series of encounters, in 1921 and 1928, test match honours between the Springboks and the All Blacks remained even, a state of affairs which in 1937 persisted up till the third test match in Auckland. On that occasion there was no shadow of doubt as to which was the better side. The “Ashes” went to South Africa. It is natural now that New Zealand should strive hard to restore the even balance. A survey of the trial fixture list suggests that the Dominion will be very thoroughly combed for the capable playing material so essential to success in South Africa. The holding of one of these games in Gisborne will be hailed with satisfaction here. For this consideration we no doubt owe thanks to the fine form shown by Poverty Bay-East Coast players last season. Ilei’e, as elsewhere in New Zealand, it has been demonstrated that footballers in the provinces form a pool from which much first-class talent can be drawn for international touring. Practically all that is needed to supply the finishing touches is experience in the best of company. For this reason it is to be hoped that the selectors who see the trial games will not be misled by possible comparative failure of players whose form throughout the season has been consistently good. To a certain extent the accrediting system should he adopted —accrediting by local officials whose judgment is known to he reliable. The pick of the provincial players are entitled to at least a second trial, and every effort should be made to make that policy applicable. We are convinced that some errors of selection in the past have been due to a much too perfunctory appraisal of really promising talent.