5: The search continues

Inter-island teams named

In a demonstration of the selectors' desire to see as many players as possible before selecting the 1924-25 touring team, the game between the North Island Possibles and Probables saw a curtain-raiser played at Athletic Park between the Seddon Shield districts from the north of the South Island.

Both games were played in perfect conditions, and wing Jack Steel helped the West Coast-Buller side to a 33-16 win over Nelson-Marlborough. From that game, Steel, Frank Snodgrass and Bill Reed^[1] (Nelson), Bob Tunnicliffe (Buller), Pat O'Regan (West Coast), and Eric Snow and Dick Bowers (Nelson), the father of 1953-54 All Black five-eighths Guy Bowers, were named to play in the South Island Possibles v Probables game.

Changes were made to the original North Island Possibles and Probables sides. Ces Badeley took Mark Nicholls' place, and Moke Belliss was named for Cliff Porter as wing-forward and captained his side. Belliss suffered a finger dislocation early in the game but returned to play after being treated. The Possibles won 23-21.

The honours of the day rested with Nepia, the sturdy native player from Dannevirke, who gave a finished display at fullback for the Probables. He was cool and collected throughout, and was never bustled. His taking of the ball was perfect, his fielding clean, his tackling determined, and his kicking powerful and well directed. Several times he showed sound judgment by running with the ball instead of kicking, and more than once started passing rushes in this fashion...He crowned an unblemished afternoon's work by his goal from the field, which showed that he possesses quickness to seize scoring opportunities.^[2]

Gus Hart was ranked the best of the wings on display, Handley Brown was regarded as a good stamp of centre, and Lui Paewai impressed with his speed and sidestep. Mill challenged Nepia for the player of the day, benefitting from his provincial liaison with the Brownlie brothers, Maurice and Cyril.

But it was his own nippiness, initiative, and ability which enabled him to stand out as an undoubtedly clever halfback. One cardinal virtue he possesses, he does not do the obvious.^[3]

Svenson shone on the opposing side's attack, complementing that with his defence. Bert Cooke made the most of his few chances behind a beaten pack.

The selectors caught the overnight ferry to Lyttelton and were set to select their North Island team on the train trip from Christchurch to Invercargill. There, the southern trial between Combined Canterbury and Otago-Southland was played in good conditions, with the Cantabrians taking a 14-6 win.

The game was made less of a spectacle by the selectors' decision to change the Otago-Southland team at halftime, but forgetting to include players who had changed and were ready on the sideline to play. Home town 1923 All Black Ray 'Wampy' Bell, who started as a wing-forward, was moved to the five-eighths where he had never played. A surprise inclusion in the trial, South Canterbury fullback Doug Fairbrother impressed, especially for his work under the high ball. There was particular local interest in the performance of Neil McGregor for the Canterbury side in the five-eighths. Two years earlier, he had been playing in the Pirates 2nd XV in Invercargill, having learned his rugby in Mataura and at Gore High School.

Neil McGregor (Archives New Zealand Reference: ACGO 8333 IA1 1349 15/11/17721)

Forwards Read Masters and 20-year-old Ron Stewart impressed with powerful displays.

Masters was the better of the pair, and both players, if selected, were expected to return from an All Blacks tour as improved players.

Wing-forward Jim Parker had some problems with the referee and the off-side line, but he was regarded as a fine forward in the making.

On the southern side, Jock Richardson demonstrated he was likely to retain his All Blacks berth, while local player Andrew 'Son' White chose the occasion to show his best form and was regarded as another likely to make the tour.

The players chosen for the Southern Possibles v Probables trial in Christchurch were:

Possibles                                                            Probables

Fullback-Jack Harris (Canterbury)               Doug Fairbrother (South Canterbury)

Wings-W.F. 'Frank' Snodgrass (Nelson)      Jack Steel (West Coast)

Edward Stewart (Otago)                                 A.N. Macdonald (Otago)

Centres-Bill Elvy (Canterbury)                     Herb Brown (Southland)

Five-eighths-Gordon Lawson (Sth Canty)  Ray Bell (Southland)

Neil McGregor (Canterbury)                         Arnold Perry (Otago)

Halfbacks-Bill Dalley (Canterbury)              Clarrie St George (Otago)

Wing-forwards-Pat Ward (Canterbury)       Fred Solly (Golden Bay)    

Hookers- Brian McCleary (Canterbury)       D Clarke (Southland)

H.G. 'Abe' Munro (Otago)                              Robert Tunnicliffe (Buller)

Locks-Read Masters (Canterbury)                 Len Williams (Otago)

Supports-Ollie Turpin (Canterbury)              Jock Richardson (Southland)

Ron Stewart (South Canterbury)                   Patrick O' Regan (West Coast)

Breakaways-Eric Snow (Nelson)                    H Blick (Southland)

A.'Son' White (Southland)                               Jim Parker (Canterbury)

Emergencies for both teams: backs-Reid (Nelson), Alan Robilliard (Canterbury); forwards-Ernest Fairbrother (South Canterbury), L Chisnall (Canterbury), Ron Mathieson (South Canterbury)

Parker withdrew from the Probables, and Mathieson took his place. Stewart withdrew from the Possibles, and his place was taken by Stan Davis (Buller). Allan Robilliard and Campbell Schadick (West Coast) were added to the reserves.

While the Christchurch game didn't reach great heights, the score changed regularly before the Probables won 23-22. West Coast wing Jack Steel performed best from an individual standing, The Press noting he was, 'the right man in the right place. On defence or attack he was as solid as a rock, and the first and last tries of the game showed him to be a great player.'

Another who helped his cause was first five-eighths McGregor.

McGregor was often in the picture, and his brilliancy was enhanced by the fact that the tackling by some members of the Probables' team was by no means consistent. He is a useful type of five-eighths, and would do well in any company. Perry and Bell, men with big reputations in Rugby people to uphold, played for the Probables, but at no stage of the game did they exhibit All Black form.^[4]

Two forwards caught the eye, Jock Richardson and Jim Parker, who found his way back into the game. His lineout work was superior to others, while his following up, handling and scrum work was superior to all others.

None showed a knowledge of the game nor a will to do the work like the big Southland forward. Parker at wing-forward was a star from start to finish, his great speed standing him in good stead in every movement. He also handled the ball very well, and his fast following up caused havoc amongst the opposing backs.^[5]

After the game, the inter-island teams were finalised.

North                                                                      South

Fullbacks: George Nepia (Hawke's Bay)           Doug Fairbrother (South Canterbury)

Wings: Fred Lucas (Auckland)                           Alan Robilliard (Canterbury)

Gus Hart (Taranaki)                                              Jack Steel (West Coast)

Centres: K.S. 'Snowy' Svenson (Wellington)    Ernie Gilmour (Southland)

Five-eighths: Bert Cooke (Auckland)                Neil McGregor (Canterbury)

Mark Nicholls (Wellington)                                 Arnold Perry (Otago) – Captain

Halfbacks: Jimmy Mill (Hawke's Bay)                Cyril St George (Otago)

Wing-forwards: Cliff Porter (Wgtn) - Captain Jim Parker (Canterbury)

Hookers: Quentin Donald (Wairarapa)             'Abe' Munro (Otago)

Bill Irvine (Hawke's Bay)                                      Brian McCleary (Canterbury)

Locks: Ian Harvey (Wairarapa)                           Read Masters (Canterbury)

Supports: Cyril Brownlie (Hawkes' Bay)           Jock Richardson (Southland)

Maurice Brownlie (Hawke's Bay)                        Ron Stewart (South Canterbury)

Breakaways: 'Nugget' Pringle (Wellington)       'Son' White (Southland)

Jack McNab (Hawke's Bay)                                    Ollie Turpin (Canterbury)

Emergencies:

'Ginger' Nicholls (Wellington)                               Bill Dalley (Canterbury)

Handley Brown (Taranaki)                                     Bill Elvy (Canterbury)

Lui Paewai (Hawke's Bay)                                       Ray Bell (Southland)

Tomas (Auckland)                                                    Len Williams (Otago)

Laurie Knight (Auckland)                                       Robert Tunnicliffe (Buller)

Alf West (Taranaki)                                                  Pat O'Regan (West Coast)

                                                                                     J Blick (Southland) 

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^[1] Bill Reed, is listed in many newspapers of the day as 'Reid' of Nelson.

^[2] The Dominion, 22 May 1924

^[3] ibid

^[4] ibid

^[5] ibid