RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 28

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—After being defeated by the Bay of Plenty the Otago team will have to be strengthened by the inclusion of several Central Otago players. At Omakau, on June 8, the combined Maniototo-Vincent team trounced the Maoris to the tune of 16 points to nil, and they should have put up 30. This team was made up of young players who had never played together as a combination before, yet they were victorious where the socalled famous Simon-Trevathan combination failed. If the country players can defeat easily a team which beats the town team, then it looks as if the Otago selectors will have to select the majority of the Otago team from the Maniototo-Vincent team. Your report of the match with the Maoris in Dunedin reads that the wet ground did not handicap the Maoris, who are accustomed to hard grounds. In their match at Omakau they had a very hard ground to play on, and yet they were outplayed in every department.

Another part of your report reads that Howell was round on top of Simon and Trevathan before they could move. Fancy an All Black combination being so slow! The Otago_ selectors ought to know by now that it has never been anything else. Again, the report reads that the passing of the Otago backs never got them anywhere. It was just the reverse in Omakau. The Maoris could not make any headway against the deadly tackling of the country players, while the country backs, led by Colin Gillies, gave a brilliant display rarely seen by any Otago team. After seeing the glorious exhibition given by Gillies playing first five-eighth against the Maoris, it is hard to understand why the Otago selectors did not play him in that position when he represented Otago instead of starving and disheartening him outside a selfish and slow player. Your paper states that the Otago team will have to be strengthened by a better pack and by more combination in the backs. I submit the names of the following Central players who would greatly strengthen the Otago team if 'he selectors would only give them a chance;—W. Becker (Ida Valley), over 14st weight and a flying three-quarter back who was a constant thorn in the Maoris’ side; Colin Gillies. first five-eighth and the finest

player in New Zealand in that position to-day; James Kearney, who played second five-eighth and combined well with Gillies and was deadly on defence: Doug. Hamilton (from Terras), a strapping v forward close on 15st weight, who uses every ounce in the scrum. When Parkhill leaves for Australia this is the forward who should fill his place in the scrum. He gave a fine exhibition of all-round forward play against the Maoris, .and has played well all season. There' are also: Jock Morrison (late of the Miller’s Flat team, which defeated Kaikprai in Dunedin last year by over 20 points), now playing for Alexandra, who is a great lock forward, over 14st weight; F. Garty (Ranfurly), another good packman: J. ' Campbell (ex-Otago representative and "Alhambra hooker), whose hooking was a revelation to the spectators, must go back into the Otago team. Even if the selectors do not consider ~.any .other players from Central- or surrounding districts, these players,' if chosen, would bring honour to Otago for their football ability and their fine sportsmanship. When the Central team defeated the Maoris at Omakau the Otago selectors were there, and saw the magnificent display given by the country boys., Why did they not include some of these lads in the Otago team when it played the Maoris? I have mentioned above the names of the players to whom the selectors should have given a chance, and now, after this early defeat by a team which had been so easily beaten by the Central team, surely the Otago selectors will give the country boys the chance of which they have proved themselves worthy.-—I am, etc., Country Talent. Central Otago, June 16.