CO-ORDINATED EFFORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26780, 25 May 1948, Page 6

CO-ORDINATED EFFORT

COMBING OF DOMINION TALENT FOR ALL BLACK TRIALS P.A. WELLINGTON, May 24. Co-ordination of the activities of the North and South and New Zealand Rugby selectors to ensure a thorough combing of the country for talent for the All Black trials is a major objective this year. At to-day's meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr A. J. McDonald, one of the three New Zealand selectors, said that a most successful meeting had been held at Palmerston North during the week-end of selectors for the North Island, and a similar meeting would be held in Christchurch next weekend. Those present at Palmerston North were Messrs A. J. McDonald, N. A. McKenzie (New Zealand), and M. F. Nicholls, C. Brown and K. Reid (North Island). Mr T. H. Pearce had been unable to attend for business reasons. Arrangements for witnessing King’s Birthday representative matches were:—Wanganui v. Taranaki, in the morning, at Wanganui, and Wellington v. Manawatu; in the afternoon, at Palmerston North, Messrs Brown and Reid; Waikato v. Auckland, at Hamilton, Messrs McDonald and Pearce; Hawke's Bay v. Wairarapa, at Napier, Messrs McKenzie and Nicholls. Every effort would be made for the selectors to see as wide a range of matches as possible. Upon further application being received for an increase in the school grant, it was decided to recommend to the New Zealand Rugby Council that, as this matter had already been the subject of exhaustive investigation, no change be made in the allocation. Canterbury advised that it intended to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield. Cabled advice was received from the South African Union approving of the setting up of an International Rugby Board, with provision for dominions, with voting power, and expressing the hope that all other dominions would follow suit. The chairman, Mr A. St. C. Belcher, said that this accorded with New Zealand’s view, and advice as to the attitude of Australia in the matter was expected soon.