STRONG SIDE CHOSEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27391, 17 May 1950, Page 8

STRONG SIDE CHOSEN

Match Against Otago ALL IN GOOD HEART Special Correspondent WESTPORT, May 16. Immediately after the most successful performance of the British Isles Rugby team in defeating West Coast today, the team’s selectors —Surgeoncaptain L. B. Osborne, R.N., K. D. Mullen and B. L. Williams—announced the side to play Otago at Dunedin on Saturday. It is as follows: — Full-back: G. W. Norton. Three-quarters: N. C. Thomas, B. L. Williams, J. Matthews, K. Jones. Outside-half: J. W. Kyle. Scrum-half: R. W. Willis. Front-row: J. D. Robins, K. D. Mullen, T. Clifford. Middle-row: R. G. Roberts, R. John, D. Hayward, R. T. Evans. Back-row: P. W. Kininmonth. Williams will be having his first game of the tour, and Thomas, matthews and Hayward will be playing for the fourth successive time. The team will leave Greymouth by railcar tomorrow, and after arrival at Christchurch tomorrow afternoon, will travel to Dunedin, by train for about nine hours on Thursday. A training run will be held in Christchurch tomorrow afternoon, and there may be time for a short jog at Dunedin on Thursday. There is great interest among the team in the outcome of Saturday’s match. The players have been told on all sides that Otago will “ eat them,” but they have also been surprised to discover the number of New Zealanders who have wished them success in the, match. The selected British Isles team Is a strong one, very nearly the best the team could field if all the members were fit. The players have been greatly heartened by their three victories and they are particularly jubilant over the form shown against the West Coast. The key to Saturday’s match would seem to lie in the centre three-quarters. With Williams in anything like top form, Otago could be beaten.