THE SECOND TEST

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1930, Page 5

THE SECOND TEST

COMMENTS ON SELECTION,

(Christchurch ,f ‘Press.”)

Some drastic corrective for the J unity condition or the New Zealand back machinery was imperative and the selectors have courageously administered it in the snape ot an infusion of new blood. Canterbury, and particularly Albion supporters, will regret the omission of Lilburne, but after the hrst Test the selectors would have been wrong to give him another game. A feature of the change at five-eighths wnieh will, no doubt, produce much caustic comment, is that the country is falling back on another football veteran of the lbz4 tour. However, Nidi oils has always shown that he has the Test match temperament, the lack of which, perhaps, has been Lilburne’s downfall.

It is divulging no secret to state that Lilburne has not given even the Canterbury selectors complete confidence this season. He has overdone linelucking tactics in several club games. No lets an authority, than Cooke has given it as his opinion that Nicholls is playing as well this year as in 1924, so this may help to allay any dismay felt at this further displacement of yo.uiii by experience. ’ . '

Mill, • t 00,.; hacCyto go after Saturday In this; case the process has been reversed, youth, and speed take the place of experience and .reputation. Neither of those, two latter attributes will go very far against these speedy British players unless it is coupled with fire and reliability. Corner is not an unknown quantity, and his form this year has been more consistent than Unit of his predecessor at half. The diminutive Aucklander—his weight is under 10 stone—is nippy, sure with bis bands, and will go down to anything. While some Canterbury people will feel aggrieved at this second passing over of Dailey, and others, perhaps better judges of form in 1930 will think that Mullan should be given a change, many who witnessed Saturday’s game will hail the selectors’ decision as imperative. Provided Stewart’s knee ' does not give out again,' his inclusion will strengthen the New Zealand pack, for ne has no peer as a forward in the country at present. It is a case of a very good man, being replaced by a better one. Entity made a sterling contribution in the New Zealand van on Saturday, and he' will probably turn out again for the All Blacks before the Tests are finished. '

.Evidently, the selectors were convinced that there was no better material available for the three-quarter line, which emphasises the existing weakness in this department of Rugby in the Dominion. . -„.

On the face of 'it, Irvine* appears Yo have satisfied the selectors that no one better can be found for teaming in tlie front' ro ( w with Cottrell than himself. Faster "football than that on Carisbrook may .be. expected on Lancaster Park in the second Test, unless there is a really bad break in the weather at the end of next, week, and it remains to be seen, whether Irvine will be in fettle for hooking and, footing it with opponents so many years his junior at the end of ninety minutes of strenuous Rugby.