N.Z. HOCKEY TEAM PICKED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 9

N.Z. HOCKEY TEAM PICKED.

RIVAL TEAMS PRACTICE SIDE BY SIDE AT PARK. India and New Zealand played hockey on adjoining grounds in Flaglev Park to-day—on Saturday they will meet in the first test of the tour. Scores thronged the lines to ivatch them, marvel at their amazing speed, and speculate as to the prospects of a break in the formidable record of the all-conquering army* men. It was just before 10 a.m. that the New* Zealand team, clad in all black jersey's and shorts, turned out; an hour later came the Indians. See The All Blacks. They* chattered to themselves in Hindustani as they walked on to the field, their eves glued on the lightning like All Blacks as they sent the ball from one to another in a revelation of wonderful passing. What they* said, they' themselves alone know. They* were certainly interested in the New Zealanders anyway, and when one man, who looked as if he had never played a game more strenuous than draughts in his life, volunteered the

information that: “You wont have much to trouble you on Saturday." to one of the turbaned figures, a dozen dark, unbelieving eyes yvcrc turned upon him. Those All Black jerseys somehow held a \vealth of meaning for the swarthy men from India. Mafcing “a Bird” of It. "Come on now,” called out Mr Sydney Holland, the team's coach, to Mahoney*, one of the Canterbury men. “Come on, make a bird of it this time.” And Mahoney* shot the ball. It sped on its meteoric way fo Bell. He .stopped it with a hand, and Burton hit it, right into goal. Among those who saw the clever shot was the Indian goalie himself. “Don't make it too hard for him,” called someone with a sympathetic intonation of his voice . “lie's looking But'Mr Holland said: ” t Great— that's the stuff, boy's. Now, lets have another." Once again Mahoney sent one of the swift balls to the front line, and once again Burton sent it home. “They've Got a Chance.” It was all very- startling, all very clever to the people who looked on from the lines. "Myj word, they’ve got a chance, to say the least,” said, one man. ■'‘And 1 11 say that it’s a good chance, too,” put in. andthej. ; "Hit it; hit.• it "-hard ! ” yelled Mr Holland, and Perridlsent the ball with a vigorous hit to the forwards. \“Thats right, now ” 1 But Bell knew what he was going to say, and before he had said it the ball was in the goal. ' c “ Mighty Good ! ” "iGood ! ” said the coach. ‘“Mighty- good!” said a youth on the line, and it was evident that there will be some people who will be prepared to favour New Zealand’s chances on Saturday. “ Now. take this one easily,” advised Mr Holland; “not so hard. Nowhit ! ” Butler hit. "That's the shot!” said Mr Holland. “ Do it again.” And once more the ball rebounded from the netting of the goal. There was about the play* of the New Zealanders a precision that was remarkable. Over the ball they had an uncanny* control. They made it go where they* wished. They- would repeat a shot a dozen times, and on every occdfcion the ball seemed to trace the same course in its rapid flight to the goal. It was clever. Dianchand. But the same thing applied to the Indians, too. In a scratch game played at the park this morning, the redoubtable Dianchand was seen at lull flight. Never once did he miss the bail. He hit it six times while covering a space of about, three yards. It might have been glued to his stick. If it had been, he Would have had no more Control over its course. And while the Indians cast furtive glances at the New Zealanders, the All Blacks were watching the Indians, and among them Dianchand stood out, a dark-eyed lad, a mere boy in stature, but a veritable whirlwind on legs. And so the two teams plaved side tv side, while the crowd watched them both: but there were some men at JJaglcy* Park this morning who saw the New Zealand team alone. They were the selectors, the men entrusted with the onerous duty- of choosing New Zealand’s best, the team to meet the Indians in the first test of their triumphant tour. The Teazp. And after they had watched them for over an hour, the Selectors announced their choice. Here it is: G. Fletcher (Waikato). J. Soper (Canterbury. K. Perrin (Wellington). A. D. Mahoney (Canterbury), IT. G. Ilore (Caffterbury*). R. Butler (Otago). N. R. Jacobson (Wellington), S. M. Bell (Canterbury), E. Watts (Auckland). A. Burton (Auckland). Emergencies—Forward, D. T. Woodfield (Otago); back, L. Ireland (Otago). AUCKLAND SELECTS REPRESENTATIVE SIDE. 3 (Special to the "Star.”) AUCKLAND. June 24. Auc.klaffders to meet the Indians on July- 3 have been chosen' by the new selector. Mr Newsham. as follows: Goah G. Wilkie. Full-backs. Davis. Baildon. Halves. Cole. Radcliffe. Potter Forwards, Hookham. Seccombe. B Watts, C.. ; Watti. E Bu/ton.