SOCCER TESTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26485, 12 June 1947, Page 2

SOCCER TESTS

A NEW ZEALAND SELECTION In view of the keen interest being taken in the forthcoming visit of the South African Soccer team and ox the selection of a New Zealand side, the following selection, based on the performances of players who took part in the recent trophy games, is given by “ Observer Goal, Davey (Canterbury) ; backs —A. Harris (Wellington), P. O’Malley (Canterbury), and R. Speed (Auckland); halves—M. Gordon and V. Smith (Canterbury) , G. Doylie (Wellington), and G. Beavis (Canterbury); forwards Dowler (Canterbury), or Sharp (Wellington), Wallace (Auckland), G. Smith (Canterbury), Woods (Wellington), Mason (Auckland), or R. Smith (Canterbury), and Wilkinson (Auckland). Other players who did not take pari and who must be considered are Kidd, of Wanganui, and Woods, of Auckland. both inside forwards. Fleet of Auckland, who was the star of the tournament, is unfortunately a risky selection on account of his unsound knees. Cleal, of Auckland, is .also a doubtful prospect for a New Zealand side. Ryan (Otago), who was ill during the tournament, and should not have played, is the equal, when fit and well, of any inside forward playing in New Zealand..

PROMISING RUGBY PLAYER One of the most promising players in the University A Rugby - team is G O’Sullivan, a 19-year-old forward who was prominent throughout last Saturday’s game against Pirates, although he committed an error of judgment, when; through over-eager-ness he conceded a penalty to Pirates from which W. I. Perriam kicked a goal in the second half. O’Sullivan has good physique and his pace in the open is an asset. He had a fine sporting record in his school days and was the swimming and athletic champion of the Christian Brothers’ High School and later of Silverstream College, where he was also in the first fifteen. He was a member of the Zenith Amateur Swimming Club, engaging with some success in interclub and championship competition. He is a son of Mr M. F. O’Sullivan, who was captain of the Dunedin Club senior fifteen for some time and a fine forward in his day. Mr O’Sullivan afterwards held the position of "'club captain and was a member of the committee which organised so successfully the seYer}tyfifth jubilee of the Dunedin Club last year. HALF-BACK IMPRESSES ,

A' L. Mclndoe, the Pirates halfback. must have brought himself into the representative selection picture by an impressive display against University Aon Saturday. Under the tutelage of C. K. Saxton, the Pirates coach. Mclndoe’s passing irom the scrum has improved considerably anu in other phases of play he shows a keen sense of anticipation. Quick work on the blind side enabled him to pave the way for S. Sutherland s try. and a sharp break from a scrum in the same direction in the second half gained him a try himself, bringing the number of tries he has scored this season to seven. Mclndoe is a nippv player and has robust defensive qualities. His improved form :s heartening in view of the lack of talent among the half-backs in the senior competition.

REPRESENTATIVE HOCKEY On June 28. at Tonga Park, senior and. junior representative hockey matches will be played between teams from North Otago, South Canterbury, Southland, and Otago. Otago will be fielding three senior and three junior teams, which will be playing matches simultaneously with the six visiting teams. The Otago sole selector, Mr E. J Rennick, has again been appointed as one of the two South Island Selectors The matches at Tonga Park on June 28, as well as giving him an opportunity to judge the merits of players for the Cttago team to play Canterbury in the Challenge Shield match on July 19. will also give him information on the calibre of players from South Canterbury to Southland.