SOUTHLAND REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

Southland Times, Issue 19249, 13 June 1921, Page 7

SOUTHLAND REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

(To the Editor.') Sir, —A few years ago I became absolutely disgusted at the continued poor showing of our representative team in interprovincial matches. I began to argue with my fellow “has beens” that our young men had deteriorated—that we would never have again men of the calibre of Stead and such other notables. Without, I admit, investigating the cause, I lost interest and for years refrained from frequenting the matches. Last year your journal’s persistent advocacy for Southland to bestir itself as it had the material t.o regain its lost football prestige provided up-to-date methods of training and coaching were adopted, caused, without a doubt, a revival of interest amongst the public. The arguments for and against “progress” appearing in. your correspondence columns appealed to me so I decided to put myself in a position to judge for myself. In a sceptical mood 1 visited Rugby Park. I shortly saw there enough in the games played and the players to convince me that you were on the right track and have followed since the doings of the clubs and of the controlling body very closely. I sincerely trust that you will continue in<jhe same fearless manner. The representative team, by winning the Ranfurly Shield conferred upon Southland a great honour also a duty to its peoples—a duty to see that Southland’s best are given a fair chance of defending with honour their reputation in the Rugby world against all challengers. The S.R.F.U. are our representatives in this and the public expect them to make good. The enterprise shown by them towards the end of last season, the lighting of the Park and the appointment of a coach this season seemed to signify that all would be well but are they drifting back to the old policy of “wait and see?” There is a rumour current in a northern centre that its union intends to issue a challenge and send a for midable team south to play for the Shield early in July. It is quite possible for this to eventuate and the possibility must always be kept in view. I was astonished to read this morning that no acticm had yet been taken to select and train the probable rep. team. Now in your issue of May 20 in your report of the S.R.F.U. meeting the President of the Union, (Mr A. J. Geddes) who seems to have done his best for pro gross) intimated that 30 players would be selected to undergo special training. In reply to a question, from Mr Jenkins, one of the selectors, as to whether the men were to be picked at once, he replied, as soon as possible, preferably after June 1. As nothing has been done, and with valuable weeks slipping by, the delay whosever the fault, demands an explanation. As matters stand at present, in view of Mr Puruue’s and Mr Jenkins’s statements at a Union meeting that the coach was not necessary it might leave these gentlemen open to the insinuation that they are hampering Mr Booth from getting to work with the rep. team. Even if it were not possible for the full complement mentioned by Mr Geddes to be selected, could not a few of the probables be notified to undergo training under Mr Booth. I have heard that several of the club coaches oppose the Union’s scheme because it will interfere with club coaching. One can hardly give this statement credence, firstly because the standard of rep. play must be above club form and secondly, as all footballers are “sports,” to them the football honour of Southland Is surely above club reputation. Wellington have already had their first rep. match and their representatives will be together weekly thus gaining combination. Why can't we do the same. Have we Mr Booth here to give him the team the night before our first big match. Let us hope not. Excuse me for taking up so much of your valued space. I would have preferred to have kept out of print, but Saving the interest of the province at heart I could not do otherwise.—l am, etc., “CONSTRUCTIONIST.”