RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACK TEAM Prospects Discussed SELECTORS’ HARD TASK (By “Omni.”) Rugby critics in t| le four chief centres of this Dominion have alcommenced to discuss the prosppects for the third All Black invasion of England in 1935. A great point is made of the bearing that this winter’s form will have on the ultimate selection. Why cities should express this view is inconceivable, as it has certainly not been borne out with past selections. I remember a Wellington weekly offering a prize in 1924 for the person who selected the nearest to the actual 29 selected players. Contestants for tho prize had to have their selections in early in the 1921 winter; so early, in fact, that they had to base their estimates on the form exposed during the previous winter. Moke Bellis was the most popular pick, and Drs. Sinclair and Perry, together with “Nugget” Pringle, the Wellington forward, were almost as popular. Not one of this quartette were in the final selection, yet had the “Jnvincibles” been selected on 1923 form, all four of them would have been chosen Series of Trial Carnes. The N.Z.R.U. will assuredly arrange a series of trial games lor early ui 1935 similar to those arranged in 1924, and desuite all that has been written to the contrary, it will bo the form displayed in these trials that will fascinate the selectors. At present the selectors lor each Island are Messrs E. McKenzie and F. Sutherland (North), and P. Harvey and A. Adams (South). Here again the critics are offering all sorts of advice. No doubt the selection committee to be appointed by the N.Z.R.tI. this year will consist of six or seven men ; also, it is fairly certain that they will be appointed lor a period of two years, but just who they will be is problematical. If there is ono certainty, Mr E. McKenzie may be regarded as such. In Auckland Mr F. Sutherland has been thrown overboard by the A R.U. for Mr V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, who from 1921 to 1924 inclusive experienced a great run of success as the Auckland selector. It is doubtful if lie will be fortunate enough to have players of the calibre of Bert Cooke or Fred Lucas to build a team on this year, and certainly he will not have the benefit of an astute a captain as Karl Ivwersen to direct operations on the field. So., all things considered. Mr Meredith will probably find that he is in for a difficult period.

Vacant Christchurch Position. In Christchurch Mr J. Burroughs has retired from the sole selectorship, too. He, too, has experienced a great run of success with the Canterbury team in Ranfurly Shield games, although with teams on tour his selections have failed to record a win. For the vacant position there are many aspirants, and it is on the cards that Mr Neil McGregoi, the Canterbury fiveeighth and member of the 1924 “Invincibles,” may be invited to accept the job as sole selector. In Taranaki there is a proposal this year to scrap the old order of playing the competition in two divisions in favour of one competition. This will entail tremendous travelling as the area will extend from Patea. in the south to New Plymouth in the north. Wellington have not yet decided who will take over from Mr. N. Millard, hut in all probability a committee of three will be appointed. From this it will be seen that the personnel of tho next All Black selection committee is difficult to forecast.

Contentious Subject. A contentious subject to come before the delegates at to-night’s annual meeting of the H.8.1i.U. is tho question of broadcasting the Napier club games each Saturday afternoon. No doubt the sub-union’s representatives will be most decided in opposing the proposal. The Spillane Cup. The* Easter tournament in Auckland, contested by various Marist Clubs for possession of the Spillane Cup, proved a great success, and the final vicimy of the Gisborne team was not surprising after their first game against Hamilton, The winners fielded a very heavy set of forwards and to them their success is due. The Napier fifteen led off with n surprise victory over the strong Wellington side that included MacDonald and Robbins, well known representative players. For the Napier team Brown, a new addition hailing recently from Christchurch, was the outstanding back but he was unfortunate in suffering a dislocated shoulder in the second game. This will necessitate a four weeks’ spell. •Tack O’Brien was the most prominent in tli<> vanguard and with his size he should experience a good season. Last vear was bis first in senior football Neat Easter the tournament will be staged in N"i ior. when the number of contesting tennis will be increased from six to eight. Easter next venr will not eventuate until April 20. and the various teams should bv then be aide to give much more finished displays than was the cue this year.