ALL BLACK TRIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 6

ALL BLACK TRIALS

Omission Of Halvorsen NORTH OTAGO SELECTOR RESIGNS Special to the Daily Times OAMARU, May 15. “ I find it absolutely impossible to associate my ideas of Rugby administration with the treatment handed out to our union, our players, and myself, as selector, by the New Zealand Rugby Union-appointed selectors in their choice of teams to take part in the trials for the ultimate selection of the All Blacks.” This was stated in a letter to the North Otago Rugby Union last night by the selector, Mr R. L. Brown, when tendering his resignation as a member of the union and North Otago sole selector and coach. “We in Oamaru sent forward the name of J. Halvorsen as our nominee, and this player, who has for the past few years been an outstanding fullback, scoring 100 points a year, and who has been considered by many sound judges to have shaded our All Black, J. Goddard, on practically every occasion on which they had met was completely ignored for a day of trials on which they required four fullbacks. “ I would also like to point out that although almost all minor unions in the North Island are represented, those in the South Island are practically overlooked with the exception of South Canterbury, which, though we hold the Hanan Shield, defeats us once more by four to nil.” The president, Mr J. Firman, said he had interviewed Mr Brown on two occasions, but he would not reconsider his decision. Mr Brown’s resignation was accepted with regret and Mr D. S. Loder was appointed selector with power to co-opt if required.