ALL BLACK TEAM PICKED FOR AUSTRALIA

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1947, Page 5

ALL BLACK TEAM PICKED FOR AUSTRALIA

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 18. Only nine of last year’s All Blacks are included in the 25 players chosen after the final rugby trial at Athletic Park on Saturday, to make a short tour of Australia next month, when nine matches will be played. With the exception of a decision to take two full-backs, the selection contains few surprises. The selectors were closeted for over an hour before the team was announced. Perfect conditions prevailed for Saturday’s trial. With the players mainly concerned over their own prospects there was an absence of the fine teamwork of good provincial sides, and the football fluctuated in quality .between good and mediocre. The main impression gathered was of tall, lively forwards, and capable backs, with still a lack of real top pace on the wings. Hobbs, Frazer, Grant, White, Willocks, Simpson and Dalton confirmed the previous displays as splendid allpurpose forwards. Arnold and Thornton, both Kiwis, added brilliance in the loose to their other high qualifications. Both handled like backs, and are ideal types for Australia. Rugged, but short in stature, Connolly appeared, on the day, to have been shaded by G. Eond (Canterbury). Connolly was one of the heaviest men on the field. He was a tireless worker. Bond revealed lineout proficiency in addition to excellent rucking.

In the hooking duels, Catley and McCormick had the edge on Mcßae, Catley still has few superiors in raking the ball. But both he and McRae fought so keen a duel as to incur several penalties. There were none against McCormick. Both Catley and McCormick had the benefit of taller men supporting them in the front row. There were 21 scrums in the first spell. Catley won 12, but was penalised in two. Mcßae won seven, but was penalised in three. In the second spell there were 17 scrums. McCormick won seven to three by McRae, and then retired with a head injury. Dalton substituted for a brief period, during which Mcßae won two scrums. Catley then came on, and won two scrums (penalised in one) to one by Mcßae. There were 80 line-outs. Outstanding in the first spell were Fraser, Grant, Hobbs, Dalton, Arnold, Thornton, Willocks and McHugh. In one line-out. Arnold and Thornton broke through for a short rush. In the second spell, Dalton, Grant, Willocks, Bond, Frazer and O’Connor were the most noticeable. In one line-out Dalton burst through, paving the way for a try. All three half-backs, Bevan,. Tetzlaff and Parsons played well, particularly as they did not receive the best of protection through the forwards breaking up quickly. Parsons and Bevan frequently had a torrid time from Arnold. Bevan threw out the best long passes. His was a remarkably game performance, as his right thumb was sprained and in plaster. Allen and Kearney were the outstanding five-eighths, with Couch and P. Smith showing great promise, and they may go far with the benefit of the tour. Colquhoun had one of his few off days. J. E. Smith was the outstanding centre. More opportunities went to M. P. Goddard. He showed rare penetrative ability, but was inclined to run away from his supporters, a tendency also evident in Meates and Deas, though both the latter impressed with their pace. Most breaks for the wing ..threequarters went to McLean. He had the most of them. Argus rarely had much, room in which to move, but always looked dangerous. Mason, the other choice for Australia, must have won his place on his form at Palmerston North. He had few chances on Saturday. Scott was evidently a certainty as full-back, as l he had only a short trial at Palmerston North, and did not play on Saturday, when Johns and Webster gave very competent displays, Webster’s being a long way superior to that at Christchurch., Nevertheless, Johns appeared decidedly unlucky, following his high standard at Palmerston North, and again on Saturday, not to win a place. The 25 players selected by Messrs H. S. Strang, N. McKenzie, and A. McDonald for the tour of Australia, are:— Full-backs: R. H. Scott (Auckland), T. R. D. Webster (Southland). Three-quarters: W. G. Argus (Cam terbury), D. F. Mason (Wellington),. J. McLean (King Country), M. Goddard (South Canterbury), J. B. Smith (North Auckland), Five-eighths: Allen (Auckland), P. Smith (brorth Auckland), J. C. Kearney (Otago), B. Couch (Wairarapa). Half-backs: V. Bevan (Wellington), P. Tetzlaff (Auckland). Front row: E. H. Catley (Waikato), J. McCormick (Hawke’s Bay), R. Dalton (Wellington), J. Simpson (Auckland), L. Connolly (Southland). Locks: L. A. Grant (South Canterbury), C. Willocks (Otago), H. Frazer (Hawkes Bay). Side or back row; F. G. Hobbs (Canterbury), K. D. Arnold (Waikato), R M. White (Wellington), N. H. Thornton (Auckland).