REPRESENTATIVE PRACTICES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16375, 24 June 1927, Page 3

REPRESENTATIVE PRACTICES

ATTENDANCES DISAPPOINTING. The Poverty Bay Rugby "Union's selector. Mr. J. Hall, attended at the Garrison Hall last evening with the object of continuing the course of coaching laid down by him for representative players, and was surprised to find only seven of the men present, Mr. Hall expressed regret that more, interest was not displayed by those 'nominated lor training, though he admitted that some of them may not have known the practice was called. The selector and coach commented that if the men chosen for training were not prepared to attend the practices, it would be. wiser for the Poverty Bay Union to drop its plans for a series of intcrprovincial games, since the players would not be. in a condition to take Hie field at their best. Combination was the most important detail of the Poverty Bay team's equipment which was still lacking, and only consistent training could supply it. Mr. Hall pointed out that if practices were going to be at T tended by less than half the team, or if other interests were going to inter-

fere with regularity of attendance, the absentees were not being fair to their team mates, the union, the coach, or t-lio Rugby public. He sincerely hoped that there would bo a considerable improvement in the future, as otherwise the district's hopes of success in the 'big engagements must go for nought. In view of the fact that the material available this year is generally believed to be better than for some years, Mr. Hall said, the public would be as disappointed as he himself would be if the plans for representative, games went astray. Mr. Hall mentioned that practice assemblies would be held on Sunday morn- ■ iitr «C Hie' Oval, and on Tuesday '.and Thursday of next week at the Garrison Hall. '