MATCH AGAINST COUNTIES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27191, 7 November 1953, Page 8

MATCH AGAINST COUNTIES

RUGBY FOOTBALL

INJURIES AMONG ALL BLACKS HAIG MAY NOT PLAY TODAY [From the Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent with the team} LONDON, November 5. Casualties are almost certain to reduce the strength of the AH Black team to play London Counties on Saturday in which will probably be one of the hardest matches of the tour. Haig was under treatment for a pu?'ed muscle in the back of his left thigh today, but the injury was not deep-seated. However, even after brisk massage the leg was still sore and stiff, and it would be regrettable in view of the long tour ahead if he were to be played too soon.

McCaw turned out for practice this afternoon, but collided with Skinner. This aggravated the pain caused by a torn ligament in his lower right ribs, and he too may be a risk in the match.

There is a further prospect that Stuart may not be able to play. He was kicked just above the right knee in the match with Cambridge yesterday, and this was uncomfortable at practice today. If the injured players do not take the field. Tanner will go into the back line at second five-eighths, Wilson moving to first. Oliver will replace McCaw, and W. H. Clark will probably replace Stuart. If Clark replaced Stuart, Jones would probably play at the back of the scrum, with Oliver and Clark on the flanks.

Wilson and Tanner played well at fiveeighths today. Wilson moved confidently, and Tanner, who is intended'to provide stiffening close to the scrum, co-operated nicely in several runs of which variation of the method of attack avas the keynote.

Bevan at half-back was as ever efficient and purposeful. If Wilson can play with confidence, the All Blacks may show pace and thrust in midfield. The second youngest member of the team. R. G. Bowers, of Wellington, was 21 today, and. among other things, he received a present from the hands of the Lord Mayor of London (Sir Rupert de la Bere). It was a tiny musical box played by winding a handle. When the team was being introduced to the Lord Mayor during a short cere-, mony at Mansion House this morning, the manager (Mr J. M. Millard) said it was Bowers's birthday. Shortly afterward, the Lord Mayor disappeared from the room, returning a few minutes later with the present. He wound the handle vigorously and an indeterminate tune came out.

"I don't quite know what you do,” he said to Bowers. “Can you play it?” Bowers tried, but the tune was still in-

New Zealand.—R. W. H. Scott; R. A. Jarden. J. T. Fitzgerald. W. S. Freebairn; D. D. Wilson, L. S. Haig; V. D. Bevan; K. L. Skinner, R. C. Hemi, H. L. White; P. L. Jones, R. A. White. G. N. Dalzell, R. C. Stuart; W. A. McCaw. London Coupties.—G. Williams; J. E. Woodward, H. C. Forbes. D. G. S. Baker, C. E. Winn; N. M. Hall. P. W. Sykes, D. L. Sanders, N. A. Labuschagne, J. H. Smith. G. Archer. P. G. Yarranton, B. A. Neale. D. S. Wilson, and P. W. Kininmon th.