THE ALL BLACKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 62, 24 December 1935, Page 6

THE ALL BLACKS

ENGLAND’S TEAM CHOSENGENERAL, APPROVAL EXPRESSED GEORGIAN PRINCE INCLUDED. United Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 22. The team tq represent England against New Zealand at Twickenham on January 4 is:— Full-back: H. G. Owen Smith (St. Mary’s Hospital). Three-quarters: Prince Obmensky (Oxford University), P. Cranmer (Richmond), R. A. Garrard (Bath) and H. S. Sever (Sale). L _ Half-backs: B. C. Gadney (Leicester) and L. Candler (St. Bartholomew’s Hospital). Forwards: D. A. Kendrew (Army), E. S. Nicholson (Leicester), R. J. Longland (Northampton), O. Webb tfNavy),. A. Clarke (Coyentry), E. Hamilton-Hill (Harlequins), P. E. Duncley (Harlequins), W. H. Weston (Northampton). Obolensky, Sever and Hamilton-Hill are newly capped. The remainder include old stars. Garrard did not play in an international match last season. Gadney and Webb played one game each. Duncley re-appears after four years. There will probably be a controversy regarding Obolensky, who is a Georgian, prince. He has been in England since he was two years old, and has applied for naturalisation papers; but * when it was suggested that he should be played against New Zealand seme newspapers pointed out that he was not actually English. Obolensky is regarded as the fastest player of Rugby to-day. He averted a Cambridge University win against Oxford hj a marvellous tackle after am amazing sprint. Also in last year’s trial he scored three tries through sheer speed. Owen-Smith is a South African international cricketer, also an Oxford Blue in both cricket and Rugby. Critics express general approval oi the selection for speedy attack, experienced midfield play, and soldity forward, where it is evidently hoped to beat New Zealand by weight ancl scrummaging power., Nevertheless the “News-Chronicle believes that on paper the team does not look as strong as that of Wales. The “Daily Mail” speculates whether it is young and fast enough to outlast 80 hard minutes. The “Daily Telegraph” expresses the opinion that the match should be an instructive test contrasting English and New Zealand tactics. ' * THE INJURED PLAYERS. FINE SPIRIT OF PLAY PRAISED. LONDON, December 22. Manchester and Mr S. S. Dean visited Tarr, the Swansea and Navy forward, who was injured on Saturday, and is in hospital with a displaced vertibrae in, the neck, being semi-paralysed. He will remain in hospital for five weeks. Oliver’s injured shoulder is painful and possibly he will not be available against England. Davey, the Welsh captain, interviewed, said: “It was a great game. I think we deserved our win.” Manchester (the All Blacks captain) paid a tribute to the clever Welsh backs. The New Zealanders agree that the best fifteen available in the circumstances was played. The All Blacks made a good impression in Cardiff for the sporting manner in which they had taken defeat. The “Daily Mail” expresses the opinion that with better going Oliver and Hart would have engineered another try in the first half. It is also difficult to estimate the effect of the absence of Oaughey. Howard Marshall in “The Daily Telegraph” says he never saw a moie splendid match or one played in a finer spirit and performance of strong endeavour. New Zealand obviously missed Caughey and also lacked the pace essential at the beginning of the midfield attack. “The Mail’s” sports gossip writer says that the non-playing New Zealanders were given seats at one end of the stand and had a poor yiew of the game. As guests of the Welsh Union they expected better treatment.