PICKING THE CANTERBURY REPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17854, 24 May 1926, Page 9

PICKING THE CANTERBURY REPS.

ONLY ONE COUNTRY PLAYER INCLUDED IN PRACTICE LIST.

On Saturday evening the Canterbury selectors, Messrs H. E. Davis, P. Harvey, and T. Milliken conferred with the view of selecting players to attend practice on Thursday night. Scrum practice will no doubt give them a line as to choosing the forwards. It is not a very difficult matter to select the backs. Having satisfied themselves as to a good scrum, it may be anticipated that the selectors will announce their team next Saturday night.

(BY L. GUINEY). A glance through the names reveals the fact that only one country representative has been chosen. This is J. M'Cormack, of Ashburton. The selectors have not seen him play this year, and so they must be taking him on past form. Such being the case what about D. N. Waghorn from the Peninsula? However, the selectors must be excused by their country friends on this occasion as the notice that the game was to be played only came before them on Saturday morning. The annual Town v Country match will give the country players an opportunity of revealing talent worthy of inclusion in the representative games to be played later in the season. Of the twenty-five players chosen to practice the following, on this season's form, would be about the best side: — D. Nixon W. Elvy S. R. Carle ton A. C. Robilliard C. Oliver N. P. M’Gregor W. Dailey P. Ward A. M'Cormack F. Clark J. Jeffries J. Manihera 11. B. Godfrey D. Dickson A. T. Montgomery The above team has been -selected from the names published by the selectors, and has not been chosen from a full list of senior players. Selecting a football team is a thankless job at any time, and no matter what side is picked there is sure to be a growl coming. The biggest quarrel most followers of the game will have with the selectors is that they have, omitted S. Baird, the Old Boys’ lock, who plavpd some good games for Canterbury last season, and who -was nominated by these same selectors for a position in the New Zealand team. Baird has been playing good football this season, as was instanced in the match between Merivale and Old Boys. The injury to Jack Harris made it an easy task to pick the best fuli back, and there can be no quarrel with the choice of Nixon. The three-quarter line chosen above is the best that, could be got on this year’s and also last year’s form. Syd Carleton played, good games in the rep. fixtures last season, while this season he is fulfilling the promise he gave in his school days of becoming a wearer of the All Black jersey. Not the slightest doubt exists about Elvy and Robilliard. A lot of people would

like to see “ Jockey ” Ford in the team, and his form this season certainly warrants his gaining a place, but the question is, “ Who would \'ou leave out?”

The selection of the five-eighths gives most food for thought. Last year's combination was Hay and M'Gregor, who worked very well together. So far this season Dailey and Hay have* not been a particularly happy pair. Some blame Dailey and some Hay. The chances are that they will get back to their old combination before very long, but in the meantime the selectors will have to find a sound combination. So what's wrong with Dal-ley-M’Gregor-Oliver. There is a suspicion of unsoundness about Oliver, but he has been plaj-ing fine football this season and should fill the bill well at second five-eighth. Fast and nippy, with a clever pair of hands, he should go well between M'Gregor and Carleton.

Scrimshaw is another player who has not been producing his last year’s form so far, and in the meantime Ward has been given preference in the wingforward position in the above team. Ward can be relied upon to play a good game whether in the pack or at the side of it. In selecting the front rankers A. M'Cormack has been omitted as he has not been seen in action. Melvin (Christchurch), Thompson (Varsity), and Kirkland (Merivale) are all good front row men, but just a bit on the small side and hard to fit in with either M'Cormack or Clark. Jeffries, Dickson and Montgomery have all played rep. football before and arc* in great form this season. Godfrey has been given a place in the above team for the simple reason that he is one of the best forwards here at the present time—certainly the best in the ( hristchurch team. Maniahera’s play shows that he is a good hard grafter, but he appears to be at a loss to knoyz what to do with the ball when he gets it. lie lacks experience, and it is not a wise, thing to put him in a team which will meet solid opposition against Wellington.

The personnel of the Wellington jeam has not been made known, but it may be assumed it will include Clift* Porter, “ Snowy ” Svenson, and Mark and “Ginger” Nicholls. If the selectors choose the team suggested above, or something like it, then the writer will say, “ Let them all come.”