SEDDON SHIELD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 September 1934, Page 4

SEDDON SHIELD

THE NELSON TEAM ALL BLACK D. MAX NOT INCLUDED A. NEWMAN TO JOIN TEAM AT BLENHEIM Tli e Nelson Rugby Union at last night’s meeting received a message from the manager of the Nelson touring team (Mr R. Freeman) stating that the selector (Mr £. Snow) required A. Newman to join the Scddon Shield team to play against Marlborough at Blenheim on Saturday next, and that D. Max would not be required. On returning from Australia Max was recovering from an attack of influenza and so returned home instead of joining the Nelson team at Christchurch, ii. order to prepare himself for tlie Seddon Shield match.

SELECTOR’S EXPLANATION

TOURING FORWARDS WELDED INTO FJNE COMBINATION MR SNOW ASKS FOR CONFIDENCE OF PUBLIC (By Telegraph—Special to ‘‘The Mail”) ASHBURTON, This Day. Interviewed at Ashburton to-day in reference to the rumour that .D. Max iiad been excluded from the Seddon Shield team to play Marlborough on Saturday Mr E Snow, th e selector of the Nelson team, stated that the touring forwards had welded-into such a splendid combination that in his judgment it is impossible for him to break it. Mr Snow stressed his extreme difficulty in .dropping any of the touring forwards ns all are playing so well In his opinion it is the best Nelson pack for years, which is borne out by the unstinted praise gained for their match against Canterbury at Christchurch. The Nelson selector said he trusted the Nelson people would realise that he is in the best position to judge what is best, and he expected their confidence. Mr Snow said that as the tour had progressed lip. had come to realise the utter impossibility of splitting the pack, every member of which was up to standard,.

It was not the selector’s intention to call on D. Max or Wishart, who' had previously been asked to. hold himself in readiness if called upon.

MAX REALISES POSITION

SPORTSMANLIKE ATTITUDE OF ALL BLACK

When Max was informed of the position to-day he said hr was delighted to hear that the Nelson forwards had acquired that combination so necessary for success. He had listened-iu to Saturday’s match between Nelson and Canterbury and ‘Tom the description given he realised that all the forwards were playing good football to make such an impression mi Cantermu'-/. He said he appreciated tlie selector’s position and felt sure Mr Snow had put much thought into the matter before arriving at his decision. The team had been together for a series of matches and with all playing so well it would be hard for the selector to drop any one of them. However, he would keen fit and if in any eventuality he was required at the last minute to fill a plate in the Shield team h e would do so.'. Max said he would attend the match in Blenheim on Saturday and if his services were required he would be available.

NELSON TOURISTS

A MUCHHMPROVED SIDE (By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail”) ASHBURTON, This Day. The tour of the Nelson Rugby team which has fulfilled its objects in every lespcct, is now reaching its climax and conclusion. The educational value ot the tour from a football point of view cannot be stressed too highly. Much was learnt from Saturday’s match against Canterbury which fielded the season’s strongest side. Nelson had more than an even share of the game in the first half, Canterbury being unable to get going against the enthusiastic keenness of the visitors. The terrific pace of the first half told its tale in the second half, when Watson and Stewart went off. This sadly weakened the backs.

Watson is still suffering from a strained thigh muscle, an injury received while training two days after the Coast match, and he is not playing to-day at Ashburton. S. Stewart’s first match was against Canterbury. He also is not quite sound and will be reserved for the Shield match

Each member of the team is playing co keenly and well that the selector (Air E. Snow) is having extreme difficulty in deciding the Shield team, especially the fqrvvardh.

Cn the whole injuries have not been over numerous.

Tile grounds have bene in good order So far, but for to-day’s match the Ashburton ground is rather rough. The weather at Ashburton is fine but it is tile coldest cay yet on the tour. The tcim nas taken beautiful weather round with : ; t. and has not so far experienced one wot dry. The last stage of the (our commences to-morrow with a-one-day journey from Ashburton to Blenheim." Members ot the team are looking forward confidently to the result of Saturday’s game. The usual dinners and entertainments to honour the team have been given at Greymouth, Gamaru, and Chrislcliinch, and litre is a lunctioii to-niglit at Ashburton.

Though defeated in the first three games, the team has met very strong material, and fins performed cioOitablj. The team fins imprved greatly in consequence.