FINLAY WAS NOT OVERLOOKED.

Chronicle (Levin), 30 August 1946, Page 7

FINLAY WAS NOT OVERLOOKED.

— Press Associatioii

By Telegraph-

WANGANUI, August 29. Jack Fjnlay, the cruck Kiwi forward. was not overiooked when ihe combined Manuwatu-Wanganui side which plaved the Australian teaui at Wanganui on Wednesday, was selected. This was made clear tonight by the two seleetors Alessrs L. Mullins (Palmerston Nortln and D. Wlnllans (Wanganui). The combined team was chosen after the

match between Waugunui and Mana watu at Pahnerstoji Norllt on August 17, the day the Nortli v. South match was played. in a teleplione interviow toniglit., M r. Whillans said that Finlay was the lirst mun discussed for the combined. side -but he/liad beeii nursing a knee injury the previous week and it was understood by the seleetors he woold not only be unavaiJable l'or the combined sido but uould also uot take the iield that day againsi the Houth Island. As matters turned out lie. kad iaken the iield in the North Islaqd team, Mr. Whillans . then asked that if he would not play in the. combined team, would he give it the, benefit of his experience as coach. Finlay later agreed to'do that. , Aftf.* Mitllins, also in a telephoiie interview, said that Finlay ha(i not been overiooked at all. Mr.. Mul-j lins was given to understand that Fin- ' lay would uot be playing Hugby again i after the Iviwis -played Wellington and i .acted on that belief-. Tlie names oi" the; teaui were released under tlie grand- ; stand at l*a]merstdn. pn August 17 and: it was not till hours afterwards that j the seleetors knew that Finlay luul been i prevailed upon to play for North Island.;