ON THE RIGHT LINES

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1935, Page 7

ON THE RIGHT LINES

TWO GOOD TEAMS CHOSEN.

SELECTORS’ DIFFICULT TASK.

(By “Side-Row.”)

The fact that stands out in the consideration of the trial teams is that the selectors have made the best of a verydifficult task. There will be disagreement with some of their placings but the teams are full of excellent material, well placed. Collins played brilliantly at Kaponga on Saturday and strengthens his already excellent claims for nomination for All Black trials. In view of J. Sullivan’s fine play recently he is entitled to a place in the A team, but “Side Row” suggests he would be better on the wing, where he could uSe his brilliance to best advantage. On Saturday the Tukapa wingers were starved by his inability to pass as well as was desired. Hunter has bene playing so well at centre that he seems the logical man for the position. That, however, leaves three first class wingers in Edwards, Ford and Sullivan. Nevertheless “Side-'Row” imagines that Hunter’s steadiness and splendid defence would be a greater loss to the Taranaki team than the lack of any one of these three. The problem may be settled on Thursday, for the selectors are matching Sullivan and Hunter. If Sullivan can connect with his wingers Hunter might well be tried at second five-eighth. One good back must be left out of the final representative team whatever happens. Sangster and C. Brown have the positions “Side-'Row” suggested, although Brown has been playing nothing more than good sound football so far. The half-back position finds Gudgeon in the®A team. Boswell has been rising to great heights lately and on Saturday showed extraordinary supporting and anticipatory ability. It is unfortunate for him, however, that Gudgeon rose to even greater heights against Stratford—and there it stands.

As for the B team, Papps gave the impression of greater soundness than R. Paterson when the two were matched on Saturday, but “Side-Row” is still of the opinion that either would be justly disappointed if left out. Hunter’s situation has already been commented on and the selectors have followed Stratford’s example and placed Ross on the wing in the B team, where he is easily worth his place. Lehmann must bow to the fact that the province has too many “class” centres. The lucky man of the trials is Clapham (Hawera). It is not that he is not worth the place on the wing but that there are others worth a trial just as much—notably Rowlands (Patea) and R. Hill (Waimate). J. Malcolm (Opunake) has his chance, Hill apparently losing his opportunity by a poor game against Stratford Old Boys on Saturday. Galbraith one is pleased to see in the team. Brilliance is lacking in Taranaki five-eighths play as well as elsewhere in New Zealand, and Galbraith is the best man in the province to look for it. If he strikes form on Thursday it will be hard luck for Sangster, who might in that case be a rival for Brown’s position. Dowdle showed last year he was capable of good football and no doubt earned his position ahead of Mace by his better defence and contact with the men outside him. Townsend it was not surprising to find merely a reserve as he has not yet had enough football since his illness. His play against Tukapa showed that it was improving towards the end. J. McCready, brilliant and speedy but not always reliable, secured his place by a good exhibition against Waimate, and Smith would probably blossom into a good player in strong company. There can be little criticism of the A forwards until one has seen them plaj, for on paper they are a splendid pack. There is little to be said regarding the B’s except that Ron Campbell appeared a better forward than his brother Rex on Saturday. O’Byrne played well against Hawera, and the others could not well be left out. Richards is worth a place and will have his chance, and the other three reserve forwards are also receiving the reward of merit. “Side-Row” would have liked to have seen Gulliver also given an opportunity of repeating his excellent club efforts.

For the scheme to give the colts a chance in a further trial there can be nothing but praise. Footballers “die young” nowadays and the day is approaching when old warriors like Murphy, Ray Clarke and Collins will have to retire with honour. There are players such as Grant (Inglewood), Guy (Hawera) and Guy Richardson (Old Boys) for whom experience in the best company would be invaluable. Football selection in Taranaki is developing along scientific lines.