OMISSIONS SURPRISE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 10

OMISSIONS SURPRISE

Cossey And Emery

Most of the 15.000 persons who saw the final trials on Saturday must have been astounded when the young Pover’.y Bay wing R. R. Cossey was omitted from the New Zealand team. He played brilliantly on both wings, in Saturday’s trials, scoring three tries that only a wing of a high class would have scored.

Equally surprising is the omission of H. K. Emery (Auckland) from the team. Emery was. the outstanding loose forward in the first trial game and his display in this game certainly justified his inclusion.

D. B. Clarke’s selection as fullback was inevitable but it could not be said that he won his selection on his day’s play for two

other full-backs tried. J. Bayly (Taranaki) and D. L. Ashby (Southland), were superior to him. Bayly, who is only 21, would surely have made the team had it not been for the fact that Clarke had virtually been selected. On the other hand two players lucky to be selected are E. A. R. Pickering (Waikato) and T. R. Lineen (Auckland) J Pickering played well. enough but he was no better than L. A. Clark (Wellington) another Number 8 forward who was not selected, nor warranted it. Lineen did nothing constructive and allowed W. N. Gray too much latitude. Individually, little criticism can be found of the team, but it cannot be said to be a well-balanced side. At the expense of the threequarters, five five-eighths have been chosen, leaving only one wing of any experience—M. J. Dixon. In the forwards, three number eight forwards are included among the five loose forwards selected.

In spite of the flaws which appear in the team, it has the big advantage of being a young side which should mould into a competent unit with match practice.