ALL BLACK TEAM

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1937, Page 12

ALL BLACK TEAM

TARANAKI'S INTEREST SULLIYAN AND CROSSMAN G00D CHANCES OF BOTH There are reasonable prospects that two Taranaki-trained men will represent New Zealand in the first Rugby test agamst South Africa, Sullivan and Crossman. Sullivan's consistently good play over several seasons indicates him as Mitchell's likely successer, but even in the remote contingency of" Caughey being brought in at the last moment it would not be surprising to flnd Sullivan in the team as second five-eights, following his good game last Saturday. Clifford Crossman learned the play that has enabled him to reach international standard from the school coach, Mr. F, Bowler, at the Stratford Technical High School, where he was a footballer of outstanding ability. He won a place in tlie school flfteen in 1927 at the age of 15 and represented the school for three years as half back. On leaving High School he went straight into the Inglewood senior team at the age of 17. Subsequently he represented Auckland Training College for two years, gaining a place in the Auckland B team in the second season, played one year for Clifton and is now in his fourth year as a King Country representative. He is a likely man for either five-eighths position. "Crossman was one of the best all-round backs the school has produced," said Mr. Bowler to a News representative this week. "Resourceful, a quick thinker and a fearless rush stopper, he was notable for the faet that in. all the school matches he played, and many ot them were against very heavy teams, not once had he to retire from the field, even temporarily, because of injury. He now has the distinction of being the first player from the Stratford High School to be chosen for the All Blacks and his old school rejoices in his success." Notes on the other players in the preliminary selection are: — i • : \ J. Taylor (Qtago), as the trials proceeded, revealed himself a full-back of more than average ability. He was on tour in 1935 with the team which lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury, and the next year replaced W. McFarland as the regular full-back. Fields cleanly, positional play good, kicking long and accurate, clever defence when bustled, able to initiate unexpected attack, excellent place-kick. . D. G. Cobden (Canterbury), is a big man with a great tum of speed, who turned to advantage tlie openings made by Mitchell and Hooper in the interisland trial. Cobden has all the requirements of a powerful attacking winger, including an unusually strong fend. J. Dick (Auckland), was the most successful winger in the trials and strengthened his claims ^y a fine display with limited chances against the Springboks for Auckland. Came into prominence in the inter-island match last year. A quick thinker with a clever side-step. T. C. Morrison (South Canterbury), played for the South Island in 1935, and in that year headed the list of New Zealand try-scorers with 12 -in as many games. He showed real football ability in all the trials and, although perhaps a shade slower than Cobden and not so strong, he appears to have more weapons in his armoury. * /

J. A. Hooper (Canterbury), is still an uncertain quantity in the biggest football but his attacking game in the interisland match was reminiscent of Cooke. Unless it is decided to play Crossman at second five-eighth, the job looks like Hooper's. D. Trevathan (Otago), is not only the most prolific scorer of points in New Zealand— last year he scored 78 for Otago —but a solid first five-eighth of just the type to counter the heavy South African pack-men. A most accurate handler who sends on the ball at exactly the right monient and directs the attack with skill. His defensive ability breeds confidence. H. Siinou (Otago), has provcd himself a half of courage and determination. Unable lo get to the trials until the final one, he impressed witli a splendid wetweather display of accurate handling and passing and sound defence. A. Lambouru (Wellington), New Zealand 1934-35. A hooking expert and rugged toiler in the tight, Lamboum is reSarded as a likely man to win possession for New Zealand in the. scrums. D. Dalton (Hawkes Bay), New Zealand 1935-36. Another established front-rov? man whose experience, tbgether with his keenness for work, make him a valuable unit in a pack. T. H. Pearce (Auckland), lias played consistently well this year, and in the trials was prominent as a big, fast and eager forward who stayed the whole distance. His knowledge of the fine pomts improved as the trials progressed. E. S. Jackson (Hawkes Bay). The 1936 All Black's selection is anothfr milestone in a career always full of promise. A front-row man of experience, solid, fast and a typical New Zealand loose forward. Also a successful line-out man. R. R. King (Wcst Coast), New Zealand 1934-35-36. On the British tour he developed into a magnificent forward, playing in more games than any other.. His work in the trials stamped him as the best scrum forward in the country. S. T. Reid (Hawkes Bay), New Zealand 1935-36. The most experieijced of the forwards selected, as he was a Maori All Black in 1930. He played in 19 games on the British tour and became the outstanding forward of the side. His final selection would greatly strengthon the line-out. H. MiJliken (Canterbury). His work for Canterbury and the South Island last year stamped him as a coming man and he fulfilled that promise in the trials. R. M. McKenzio (Manawatu), New Zealand 1934-35-36. The heaviest of the selected forwards, McKenzie appeared to have lost some of his sting in the first games of the trials, but later went to the forefront as an all-round forward. His line-out ability, strength in the tight and weighty forcefulness in the loose work make him the ideal type. J. G. Rankin (Canterbury), New Zealand 1936. A forward whose speed and opportunism give him a different style from that of other forwards. Any doubts about the value of his style against heavy opposition were set at rest during the trials, when his try-getting ability stamped him as a match winner. R. H. Ward (Southland), New Zealand 1936. This fine forward has come to the front as the result of the experience gained in the All Black side last year . In the trials he began with a fine exhibition for the South Island and in the final trial, when he played for The Rest, he was the best loose forward on the field. A. A. Parkhill (Otago), has now been selected for the South Island for three ! seasons and in the trials revealed himself tHe ideal back-row man. He has the weight to finish off the scrum wedge and great speed for the open work. A summary of ages, heights and weijjhis is;— .