SOLE CHOICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 22

SOLE CHOICE

THIS SEASON'S TEAM COMING TOUR OF AUSTRALIA TASK FOR MR. E. McKENZIE f ' THREE IN EACH ISLAND The choice of Mr. E. McKenzie, of Wairarapa, as sole selector for the New Zealand team which is to tour Australia later in the present season should meet with universal satisfaction throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. It has been recognised that a committee of six was far too cumbersome and the differences of opinion which have been expressed under such circumstances have undoubtedly led to long-drawn-out conferences, with a consequent delay in the announcement of the various names. Mr. McKen/.ie's wide experience as a New Zealand selector has acquainted him with the abilities of All Blacks over a long period of years. He was chairman of the New Zealand selection committer which chose the All Black teams that toured Great Britain in 1924 and 1935 and South Africa in 1928, and those which met the British team in 1030 and the Springboks last year* both the latter combinations touring the Dominion. Following a playing career in the Wairarapa, Mr. McKenzie represented the North Island against the South in 1902. In later years he was a prominent referee, among the many important matches which he controlled being the first test at Dunedin in 1921 between New Zealand and South Africa. INTER-ISLAND MATCE CHOOSING NORTH FIFTEEN MR. LUCAS ON COMMITTEE Mr. McKenzie will also be a North Island selector, the other two being Messrs. F. W. Lucas, of Auckland, and T. Craig, of Taumarunui, King Country. Mr. Lucas is having his first year as sole selector to the Auckland Bugby Union. He had a brilliant playing career as a member of the Ponsonbv Club and of Auckland fifteens. He captained Ponsonby for several seasons and also the Auckland representatives, for whom he played 51 matches between 1920 and 1930.

Mr. Lucas played for the North Island against the South in 1924, 1926 and 1929. He toured Great Britain and South Africa with the 1924 and 1928 All Black teams respectively, while in New Zealand he represented the Dominion against the New South Wales teams of 1923 and 1925 and the British team in 1930.

Mr. Craig has been a King Country selector for three years and was one of a committee of three which picked the combined Waikato-King CountryThames Valley team against the Springboks last year. He was nominated as a North Island selector by both the Waikato and King Country Unions. SOUTHERN SELECTION *- PLAYERS OF EXPERIENCE The 1 South Island selectors are Messrs. A. A. Adams, West Coast, R. R. ; Masters, Canterbury, -.and A., J. Geddes, Southland. Mr. Adams is a former Otago University and Otago representative. He played centre - in that famous threequarter line comprising Gilray—Adams—Macpherson. This combination is still spoken of by southerners of that generation as being the finest that has ever graced a Rugby field.

Mr. Adams represented the South Island in 1906, after which he went Home to pursue his studies. He played for England against France in 1910. He has been a West Coast and New Zealand selector on several occasions, being on last year's committee which chose the All Black teams against the Springboks. Mr. Masters is best remembered as lock of the 1924 All Black team which made history on its tour of Great Britain, France and Canada. This team played 30 matches in Great Britain and France and of these Masters locked the scrum in 22, including the four internationals. It will thus be seen that he had a very strenuous tour, but he still found time to compile a comprehensive diary, which be ultimately produced in book form, giving a detailed and complete history of the tour. A very fine playing record for Canterbury stands to the credit of Mr. Masters, who has also acted as a provincial selector and a member of the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union. He represented the South Island against the North in 1924 and 1925. Mr. A. J. Geddes has been connected with the game for a very long period in Invercargill. He was president of the Southland Rugby Union for several seasons and is a past president of the New Zealand Rugby Union. He has been a Southland selector on numerous occasions and was also a member of the committee which selected the 1924 All Blacks and some subsequent New Zealand -teams. MATCHES NEXT SATURDAY GRAMMA R-PONSONBY FIXTURE The meeting of those rivals, Grammar and Ponsonby, should attract a large crowd to Eden Park on Saturdav afternoon next. Over a long period of years these two teams have had some thrilling encounters, and there is every indication of another very bright display on this occasion. Grammar has not yet suffered defeat and is keen on maintaining its record. The only other unbeaten team, Grafton, will ' plav Otahuhu, while Marist will meet University and North Shore will be opposed by Manukau.