HOCKEY Olympic Team As Hockey Test Side

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 6

HOCKEY Olympic Team As Hockey Test Side

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 10. The New Zealand hockey team for the first test against the tonring Indian team at Auckland on June 5 will be the 1960 Olympic side, provided the players are available and fit, the national selector (Mr E. McLeod) said in Auckland today. He said he knew of only two members of the Olympic side who were doubtful— Auckland’s A. Hayde, for business reasons, and K. Percy (Wairarapa), who has had a leg operation. Mr McLeod said there was a possibility that Hayde might change his mind.

The decision to use mainly Olympic players for the three-Test series was taken by the New Zealand Hockey Association's management committee.

The reason was that the Indian visit came so early in the season, said Mr McLeod. “Selection would have to be based on last season’s form," he said. “The Olympic team members were the best players in the country then and still should be.” he said. Other ’ members of the New Zealand Olympic team were: W. Schaeffer (Wairarapa). J. Abrams (Canterbury), I. Kerr (Wellington), J. Barclay (Waipa), R. Gillespie (Canterbury). J. Cullen (Otago). B. Turner (Manawatu), P. Bygraves (Auckland), M. McKinnon (Canterbury). G. McGregor (Auckland), M. Mathieson (Wellington) and N. Hobson (Canterbury). New Zealand will play :n its distinctive black and white Olympic uniform in the Test—the first time the colours have been used in a match in New Zealand. Mr McLeod said that after the first Test he would be

visiting various representative matches with a view to selecting the New Zealand side to' tour Australia later this year.