ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1924, Page 1

ALL BLACKS.

SELECTIONS FOIL MATCHES CRITICISED.

NAIM EH, Sept. JO. Opinions which should prove ol more than ordinary interest were expressed by Air Norman M’Kenzie, one of the All Black selectors, in conversation with tt reporter to-day. “The first thing that appears to me” stated Mr AL’Kcn/.ie, “is the conliclenee with which the Selection Committee approaches matches to lie played. It dees not appear to be afraid to make quite radical changes in the team I rom mutch to match. Tlmt. perhaps, is necessary as far as the backs are concerned. tn get an idea of bow one player’s methods are suited to those ol another. That might be all right : but still, from tin* personnel ol the teams sent through bv cable, and the weather conditions under which matches are. being played, to me it appears as 1 hough the Selection Committee is not giving sufficient thought to the players most suited to the requirements of the day.

“Take, for instance. Rndeley. who apparently had not played to date. Tt might he that lie is incapacitated and not yet aide to play. Still. lie is a wet weather hack, and generally shines when the ball is greasy. 'I wo excellent opportunities for Ikoieley in the Fouler SI t. and Gloucester games, which were played in the wei, have been let :ro by. 1 consider that an opportunity should have been made to play him before tins. Dailey is another wet day player; whilst Hart, on the other hand, was impressive during the trial games as a good wing three-quarter on a dry dav. In the only game in which in* lias played, conditions wore atrocious.

“It is incidents such as these that have led me to believe that tho Selection Committee is not giving enough thought or consideration to weather conditions, although frequent changes are being made in the team,” continued Air Al’onxie. “There are some players who 1 think are being used too frequently for so early in the tour. They are what von might call ’stars,’ and really should lie nursed for hard games. The strain of playing them in almost every match at the commencement of tlie tour will Is* such that they, will become stale when they are wanted for big games later on. It is thr* best men ill the team who are watched and eventually come in for heavy handling. Cooke and AI. Brownlie are two wlm have taken the field in almost every match. Then again there are other big men whom little use. lias- so far been made, and wlm require fairly frequent games to keep them fit. “There is still another little point in regard to the endeavour to secure satisfactory understanding between the half and live-eighths positions added ATr Al’lCeiivie. “and that is so far as AI ill anil Nicholls are concerned. In the North v. South Island match, they combined well. and. in fact, gave a splendid exhibition, vet Hie Selection Committee lias not tried that combination in its matches to date. It is a combination worthy of trial.”