COUNTRY TO BE COMBED FOR TALENT FOR TALENT FOR ALL BLACK TRIALS

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 May 1948, Page 4

COUNTRY TO BE COMBED FOR TALENT FOR TALENT FOR ALL BLACK TRIALS

(P.A.) Wellington, May 24. The co-ordination of the activities of the North and South Island and New Zealand Rugby selectors to ensure a thorough combing of the country for talent for the All Black trials is a major objective this year. At today's meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. A. J. McDonald ,one of the three New Zealand selectors, said that a most successful meeting had been held at Palmerston North during the weekend of the selectors for the North Island. A similar meeting would be held in Christchurch next week-end Those present at the Palmerston North meeting were Messrs- A. J. McDonald, N. A. McKenzie (N.Z.). M. F. Nicholls, C. Brown, and K. Reid (North Island). Mr. T. H. Pearce had been unable to attend for business reasons.

Arrangements for witnessing the King's Birthday representative matches were: Wanganui v. Taranaki in the morning at Wanganui, and Wellington v. Manawatu in the afternoon at Palmerston North, Messrs- Brown and Reid; Waikato v. Auckland at Hamilton, Messrs. McDonald and Pearce; Hawke's Bay v. Wairarapa, at Napier, Messrs. McKenzie and Nicholls.

Every effort would be made for the selectors to see as wide a range of matches as possible. Canterbury advised it intended to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.

Cabled advice was received from the South African Union approving of the setting up of an International Rugby Board with provision for the Dominions with voting power and expressing the hope that all other Dominion’s would follow suit, The chairman (Mr. A. St. C.. Belcher) said this accorded with New Zealand’s view. Advice as to the attitude of Australia in the matter was expected soon