DOUBLE ALL BLACKS

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

DOUBLE ALL BLACKS

OARSMAN AND FOOTBALLER A NEW RECORD SET UP The selection of 11. F. McLean, the Taranaki forward, for the Xew Zealand team which met the Maoris, sets up a new record. McLean is the first man to have been chosen to represent Xew Zealand at both Rugby and rowing. When resident in Wellington and rowing for the Star Club, he was chosen in the rowing eight to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately financial difficulties arose which prevented the dispatch of the crew, though the members of it were awarded badges In recognition of their selection. CRICKETER-FOOTBALLERS Though this is the first time a. “double” has been achieved in Rugby and rowing, three cricketer-footballers have achieved the twin honour. G. R. Dickinson, the well-known Otago fast bowler, played for Xew Zealand at Rugby in 19222 M. L. Page, of the cricket team which toured England. played in a test mateh against New South Wales at Rugby last year, and Oliver, of the same cricket team, won All Black colours at Rugby this season. Ces. Da ere, of course, was a Soccer and cricket international. In England it has been found that cricketers more often excel at Soccer than at Rugby, but this rule is hardly likely to apply in Xew Zealand.

ship meetings it would help to reveal hidden talent which at present has little or no outlet into the higher side of the sport. One ardent follower of the sport, at a recent athletic meeting, stated that the secondary of the Dominion are full of track and field specialists who would later on become valuable assets to the X.Z.A.A.A., both j at the championship tournaments and for trips to other parts of the world, but at the present time they get little or no encouragement as lads, and when they leave school they are more .often than not.lost to the sport. If a junior title were inaugurated in one or more of the distances mentioned, and. perhaps. in some of the field events, these lads would be encouraged to foster any talent they may have as runners or fmkl athletes. America has found the value of such events; why not New Zealand ?