1935 ALL BLACKS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 159, 21 June 1935, Page 12

1935 ALL BLACKS

COMMENT ON SELECTION Anxious Time For Candidates CHANGED SCRUM LIKELY (By “Magpie.”) All the talk at the moment is of the 1935 All Blacks and their prospects overseas. Of course, in connection with the selection we hear of those who wore unaccountably passed over and of those who would have been in the side had they struck true form; also those who were lucky, and. from it all we gather that being up to All Black form is one thing, but to gain selection is a totally different proposition. “Many are called but few are chosen,” remarked Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the N.Z.R.U. immediately prior to his reading of the 29 names, and looking back over the trials it can be said that ho spoke truthfully. To select the 29 the selection committee saw over 260 men in action in both Islands, and for their final choice no less than 50 plays were congregated in Wellington for a period of four days. It was ‘'Magpie’s ’ privilege to meet the majority of these young fellows, and what a favourable impression they made. To bo a participant in the final series of an All Black selection is something of an ordeal, not so much in the playing, but the waiting beforehand and the suspense afterwards is trying to even those possessed of nerves ot steel. Actually there were two ordeals, for on Thursday evening ten “certainties” were announced, leaving over 40 to wonder of Saturday would find them included in the remaining nineteen. “My club can do with me to-morrow,” said G. Adkins, of Timaru, “so I am going home to-night (Friday). Playing is better than hanging about here.” Adkins was not wanted for the Saturday trial, so departed on tho steamer express the night before and possibly he, of the whole 29, got more kick out of selection because the news reached him in his home town. J. More and Simon both went south ou the Friday and endeavoured to reach Dunedin in time to help Southern against University A, both teams being unbeaten up to last Saturday. Unfortunately the car carrying them from Christchurch to Dunedin broke down and delayed them long enough to miss the commencement of tlie game. Hore later replaced an injured club-mate and received a tremendous reception, but Southern lost by sto 0. It is good to see such elub keenness, the more so when it is exhibited by two seasoned campaigners sue?! as Hore and Simon. Modest to a degree were the majority of the finalists and it was not very long before I found myself hoping that this one and that one would make the grade. My list in this direction must have reached 40 and I mention this to illustrate how* likeable were the young fellows gathered in Wellington. About the Final Choice. As for the final games and the ultimate selection it must be admitted that all, in the main, gay satisfaction to the great majority judged on the published comment of the majority of the critics. Possibly some people are easily pleased, but “Magpie’’ is not one of those where Rugby is corußrned. 'l'he ten “certainties” published on Thursday night were really the newspaper selections, although neither at Palmerston North or Wellington did McKenzie, McLean or Best display playing ability that warranted them being viewed as “certs” in the official eyes. McKenzie at Palmerston played a loose type of game similar to that he employed when he first commenced playing senior grade, and he was <aiiglii? off-side far too often lor an All Black. McLean, at Palmerston North, was not outstanding, and in club games in Auckland this winter has failed to impress keen critics. However, a reputation is handy, and it carries one in Rugby for at least two seasons. Best, iii Wellington on Thursday, was a great disappointment, and it w*ill occasion “Magpie” considerable surprise if the Marlborough man is heard of after the tour is properly launched. Viewed from all angles, the selection of Gilbert as the solitary full-back is the best possible, although everything appeared to be pointing towards Bush, of Auckland, nt one stage .Gilbert in 1 the only recognised goal kick in the

side, so, providing he escapes injury, there is every prospect of him earning overtime in the position on the tour. Hawke’s Bay people would be surprised at the construction of the threequarter lino and in this they are not alone, it is perhaps small consolation to say that Smith and Apsey are both ahead of Brown and Ball as wingers. In 1921 four wing three-quarters were chosen, but this year only three, a surprising departure. hour weeks ago very few people thought of “Rusty” Page as a 1935 All Black, but a good game in Palmerston followed by a fair one in Wellington brought him right to the front. Page has appeared for Wellington against Hawke’s Bay on several occasions, and never once did he impress. It is fairly common knowledge, in fact, that Hawke’s Bay has exploited Page’s known weaknesses and with this information it cannot be said that his inclusion has strengthened tho fiveeighths. Tindall, the surprise selection, is a born footballer, albeit a wee-bit deficient in pace for a first five-eighth and as the tour progresses it would occasion no surprise to find him filling the half-back position more often than not. Three years back Jack Griffiths was a most promising five-eighth, but since then he has gone backwards. Still sound on defence, he brings a whole heap of hard knocks on himself through his persistence in working a scissors pass with his first five. This pass brings him closer to the forwards of the opposing side and, of course, he is generally soundly dumped. Multitude of Hookers, Six front rankers for the tour appears to bo one too many, especially when it is remembered that the ‘‘lnviucibles” had but four, however, the surfeit of hookers has resulted in a consequent shortage of back row men. Not one man has been selected who plays in this position regularly and tins is an oversight that can only be repaired by an immediate change of scrum formation to 3—3 —2 or 3—2—3. Tho 3—4. —1 formation is the idea of the South Africans the one man occupying the back row to perform as the loose forward. We in New Zealand consider this formation the best of the various three-man front row scrummages, yet the selection committee do not appear to think any specialist forwards are necessary. In 1905 the late Dave Gallaher and George Giilitt were prominent as wing forwards and Jim Parker in 1924 was a constant thorn in the opposition sides as the loose forward and since then, reading of important games played in tire Homeland we see constant reference to the wing forwards operations. Mr. Baxter out here in 1930 referred to tho New Zealand wing forward ns a “cheat.” He will be pleased when ho finds that this year we have no player who even looks like one. One of the Unlucky. It would be quite easy to select in this Dominion 30 forwards of equal merit and there are bound to be many who can be regarded as unlucky, however, one who came within this category in greater degree was Deavoll of Canterbury, Really he is entitled to be regarded as the player of the age for his first experience of playing Rugby was last winter and to-day lie is a very fine forward and a splendid goal kick. This latter fact should have ensured bis selection in view of the apparent weakness in this direction. I learned from Deavoll that goal kicking just came natural to him and that he obtains no practice at it other than 1 in tho club games The New Zealand team will find that in England pace will be a factor that will cause them trouble, principally because of their own lack of it back el the scrum; the forwards should, however, do well. Auckland’s quota of seven to the 1935 All Blacks is rather, flattering. By way of compariso neould it be said that Auckland in 1935 was stronger than Hawke’s Bay in 1924? In this latter year the Bay's contribution to the “Invincihles” was but six. Auckland at present hold the Ranlurly Shield and there are many enthusiasts about here who imagine that with seven men away Hawke’s .Bay Shield prospects are good. T hey mav be, but. I am quite sure that Auckland will not be greatly weakened by their loss of seven none vl whom are at the moment outstanding players alien shorn of their newspaper reputation.