RUGBY REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 251, 4 August 1937, Page 6

RUGBY REPRESENTATIVES

Sir, —At last Mr A. McCormick; the senior selector for the Ashburton Rugby Union, has handed in his team to his Union, but not until nearly a week after the players had been informed of the selection. On reading the team list through, one cannot help being struck with the fact that the majority of the players come from Methven, eight out of fifteen, and also at the 9ame time, one remembers that the selector is also coach and selector for It he Methven senior fifteen. How Mr McCormick could pass over Stevens and Mathieson, of the Old Boys Club, for Kelly and Oretney, is very hard to understand. Stevens is undoubtedly the best loose forward in the County, with more speed than most backs. What are Brooker’s claims to a position in the back 'of the scrum ? Last year he was a front row man. Admittedly he is a toiler, but is not burly enough for the back row forward of today. He cannot give that lift required to help the hooker obtain the 'ball. Pat Doig is in again. It is hard to understand why. He was dropped from the A. team by last year’s selector, and has done nothing to warrant his re-inclusion this year. He is too slow, and also gives too much away by his continual hanging on to the ball. Loper, of Public Works, besides being a very experienced front row man, could lose Doig as a good all-round for - ward. The hardest thing to understand is the selector’s choice of McNeill as half-back. On his last Saturday’s performance, he should have been dropped like a hot potato. Hardly a decent pass did he give all day, and his defensive work was not up to standard. Dave White is one of the best halves seen in Ashburton football for years, and with experience in bigger football should go a long way. One <J the most criticised inclusions is that of Watson as first five-eighths. He came from the forwards to the second five-eighths position, and while playing promisingly there, has done nothing to warrant inclusion as the first five. *He was not even included in the first list of those selected to practice. Perhaps, when Cook dropped out another Methven player had to go in. Bradley is a little unfortunate, as he has been playing very well this year, and while his defence is not what it might be, his attack is at times brilliant. Duncan, wing three-quarter, is lucky, and his inclusion can be left at that. My team would he: — Full-hack: Behrnes, Three-quarters: L. Vossey, R. Lilley, J. Li 1 ley. Five-eighths: Bradley, Burgess. Half-back: White, Front row: McKenzie, Wilson, Loper Middle row : Mathieson, Hawke, Barnard, Stevens, Back row: Doig (Rakaia lock). Wishing the team selected a successful game in Timaru next Saturday. SPECTATOR.