P.B. RUGBY SELECTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 4

P.B. RUGBY SELECTION

Sir,—While the previous -writers on Rugby football differ, I think there may be some useful talent in a few of the players that have not had the luck to be selected in the P.B. representatives. A country player, however, has to be outstanding to have the slightest chance. Two games were played, but surely that is not enough. “Horatio” mentions Spence from Motu and declares that, because he failed to catch Edwards once at Patutahi, he should be excluded completely. That is not really cricket, “Horatio.” As most of us know, McKinley is a footballer when he feels like it and his "headlocks” are very effective, as the Otago backs learned last August. Blane is mentioned, but perhaps the writer is ignorant of the fact that the East Coast I is not included in the P.B. Union. "Rugby Fiend” mentions O’Rourke, who was a good toiler in his day, as a possible for the representatives, but surely he does not want to send a team of veterans down to bring back the shield—not that they would have done any worse than the P.B. representatives against Bay of Plenty last Saturday. As “Horatio” says, tackling is very weak in the Bay and an improvement will be needed. I would like to ask, sir, why the selectors do not go with the team when lit plays. If they went every time maybe a swollen head or two would

be forgotten after a few replacements. Nevertheless I would like to wish the team good luck in their matches yet to be played. SUPPORTER.