ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 13

ALL BLACKS.

ENGLAND PREPARED FOR DEFEAT. (*T CK3UL—rftiss 45SOCTATIOK—COrr»IG*T: (i.'inumi' AAD r.z. CABLE AS^DCIATIOIf.) LON'DOX. December -3. In© <p Star'' savs that after the trial game it, is clear that England will suffer a doiiblo-iisuro defeat ai> ihe bands of ibc Xeu- Zcalanders.

THE THIRD TEST. ALL BLACKS' PROSPECTS. \EFECIALLT WEITTEV VOV "TE"S m£SS. > (By A. J. Harrcp, M.A.) CAMBRIDGE, November 20. On November 10th, a fifteen, which included eight English International players, met the Cambridge team at Cambridge. Cambridge won by 27 to IS. Though this game is regarded as an unofficial International trial, it furnished very little clue to the possible strength of the.English fifteen. Wakefield, the English captain, displayed very poor form, but he believe? in getting Tcally fit just before the International matches commence. Blakiston, one of tho best of tho English forwards, was very good, but no better than two or three of tho All Blacks. Chantrill, last year's full-back, played a poor game, and stands no chance of selection this year. H. L. V. Day, of 7#2icoster, who was unable to play against tho All Blacks, is the probable full-back, and as he is a wonderful plaeo-kick from any position, the All Blacks will need to concede fewer penalties than usual. Locke, one of tho centres, showed good form, and it almost suro to-be selected again. Cafcbeido and Hamilton-Wickcs, on tho wings, wero not very impressive. A. T. Lawton, who is a candidate for an. English cap, did not play particularly well at stand-off half.

There was an interesting duel at scrum half between A. Whitely and A. T. Young, t,ho Cambridge captain, -who were both in South Africa with tho British team. Young was the better player on the day's play, nnd T. think he is very likely to play for England against New Zealand. At his best, ho ia a very dangerous player. * Tho Oxford match gavo a bettor lino on tho All Blacks' chances against England than the match at Cambridge. Last year Wallace, Macpherson, and Aitkon were three of Scotland's four three-quarters against England, whoso lino included H. P. Jacob, the fourth Oxford three-quarter against tho All Blacks. Tho English thrcc-.quartcr line was far superior to that of Scotland last year, a fact which doos not appear vory comforting for the All Blacks, in riow of the fine display of Oxford against' them. However, it is very probable that tho Oxford men have improved since last year, and, in any cage, their tries against New Zealand were not tho result of an overwhelming superiority over our line, which is, in turn, capable of much better things. I would not liko to prove by argument that New Zealand ia likely to beat England, bnt if determination can produce the desire'* result, the All Blacks will win. Personally, lam optimistic of tho result if Cooko, Nicholls,.Parser, M. Brownlie, Richardson, and Ncpia aro fit and included in tho team. If England wins under such, conditions the victory will be welldeserved.