TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25209, 13 June 1947, Page 7

TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIA

F. R. ALLEN TO PLAY FOR ALL BLACKS QUEENSLAND CENTRE WITHDRAWS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) BRISBANE. June 12. After a special training run to-day to'test his injured right leg. the All Blacks’ captain. F. R. Allen, announced that he would play in the first test on Saturday, reports the Sydney “Sun’s” Rugby writer, E. W. Kann. Allen admitted that his leg was not as good as he would have liked, but he is determined to play. The Australian captain. Phil Hardcastle, who is a doctor, has been responsible for getting his rival captain ready for the test. Hardcastle visited Alien's hotel this morning and specially bandaged his leg lor the try-out. Allen went to the Exhibition Ground, where the match will be played, ana gave his leg a thorough test. He said he felt only one slight twinge of pain during the work-out. Kann says that the New Zealand team for the first test is expected to be:—full-back. R. W. H. Scott; threequarters, W. G. Argus. M. P. Goddard. J. K. McLean; five-eighths. Allen. M. B. Couch; half-back. P. L. Tetzkff; forwards, J. G. Simpson. E. H. Catley. H. F. Frazer. L. A. Grant. F. G. Hobbs, K. D. Arnold, R. M. White, N. H. Thornton. The Queensland centre, Kevin Bourke, has withdrawn from the Australian team because of a shoulder injury, and his place will probably be taken by Alan Walker, of New South Wales. Bourke’s injury, which has prevented him from playing since his return from Sydney with the Queensland team last month, has not responded to treatment as quickly as was expected. He said to-day that he would withdraw from the test rather than jeopardise Australia’s chances. [An earlier message appears on pijge eight]