Some Problems for the All Black Selectors

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 785, 4 October 1929, Page 7

Some Problems for the All Black Selectors

Several Already Solved TEAM TO MEET THE ENGLISHMEN Promise of Strong New Zealand Side KEEN COMPETITION FOR PLACES ALTHOUGH nine months have yet to elapse before the All Blacks will take the field at Dunedin against Wakefield's English team, speculation is now rife as to the composition of the New Zealand side. With the inter-island game and the Pakeha v. Maori match, the selectors have had two good opportunities of confirming opinions gathered throughout the season. Both , games have served to. solve several problems that hitherto existed.

the last English team was in New Zealand in 1908, the All Blacks easily won the first test at Dunedin, but the second was drawn on a wet ground at Wellington. The New Zealand selectors thereupon sent out an S.O.S. for the veterans of the famo—u 1903 tour, and at Auckland. Stead, Seeling. Hunter and Co. won the third test and the rubber by an pverwhelmJTistory may not repeat itself to that extent next year, because live years have elapsed since the record-breaking tour of 1924, but it is significant that Porter, Cooke, Nepia, Stewart, Mill, Dailey and Lucas are back in the firing line this season, and the formidable Maurice Brownlie and Mark Nicliolls have both been keeping in trim. For all that, however, new men have come into the limelight, and the indications are that the ripe experience possessed by veterans of the English and African campaigns will be blended with the fresh vigour and dash of several newcomers to All Black honours. The fullback position has now been fined down to a question of Heazlewood and Nepia, and with the Wellington man better placed to catch the eye of the selectors next season, he

has a slight advantage over the Maori player. Heazlewood's very fine kicking this season will also stand him *in good stead. On inter-island form there appear to be few threequarters about that can displace Lucas, Minns and Elvy. The ■ opinion held in Auckland that Lucas is better placed at centre than on the ; wing has been endorsed by the Xorth Island and New Zealand selectors, and there appeal's to* be little doubt but that is where he will be next season. There is, of course, only one second five-eighth. As to who should partner Cooke, there existed something of a problem, one now well on the way to being solved. Exempting Nlcliolls. who must win his place as a second five-eighth, there remained Lance Johnson, Lilburne and Archie Strang- to fit into the position, with the two first-named as prime favourites. In the inter-island match, Johnson outclassed Lilburne, mainly owing to the fact that the latter somewhat neglected Johnson through his anxiety to help Strang keep an eye on Cooke. His Australian reputation deservedly carried him into the New Zealand side on Wednesday, but apparently he did not fit into the inside combination as effectively as Johnson. On present form, it looks as if the Johnson - Cooke-Lucas com*

bination will be reverted to for the first test. The question of halfback is a very contentious subject. Mill has the advantage of being in the selectors’ eyes with a brilliant attacking gxrine last Saturday, but Dailey’s all-round excellence cannot be overlooked. On May 31 and June 7 next season, the selectors will have the opportunity of seeing - Mill and Dailey in operation for j Wairarapa and Canterbury respec- | tively against English sides. Even j then, it is possible that a joint selection may be made to be finalised according to weather conditions. The forward selection presents a more difficult problem. At present the backs appear to be working out their own destiny, but with the forwards, it is largely a question who to leave out. Angus Finlayson must be one of the first hookers picked, and Swin Hadley, if available, will probably partner him/ otherwise Jim Burrows will probably be the choice. MANY GOOD FORWARDS If Harvey is available. which at present seems doubtful, he would, no doubt, lock the scrum. Without him, the position will be rather difficult. Sonntagg would probably be next in line unless Alley stages a come-back, and McPhail, who locked the New Zealand scrum on Wednesday, may also be considered. ! For two supports and two back-

Stewart. Uazlett, McWilliams. Maurice Brownlie, Bunny Finlayson, Snow McLean, Campbell and Leach to pick from, a task that will give them considerable food for thought. Ron Stewart, whose 3 0 stone is enhanced by speed and football brains. Hazlett. the 13-stone Southlander, and McWilliams, one of the best forwards of the African tour, are all playing fine football. But Maurice Browniie and Bunny Finlayson will have to shew that they can still produce the goods. With young and keen forwards, such as Campbell, McLean and McPhail, showing such promise, reputation will count for little. Porter, of course, will be the wingforward, and, most likely, will captain the side. From the form seen in the interisland game, appearances point to Xew Zealand fielding a much superior side to those that took the field in the South African tests. Forward the team will be particularly solid, averaging well over 14 stone. The rear division. considerably strengthened by Cooke, should also possess much better combination. Altogether a very serviceable fifteen should take the field. F.I.R.