N.Z. TEAM FOR FIRST TEST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 19

N.Z. TEAM FOR FIRST TEST

PRACTICE MATCH MAY BE ARRANGED

FIXTURE FOR JULY 11 POSSIBLE

At the conclusion of the final All Black trial game between a New Zea--1 nd fifteen and a South Island fifteen at Christchurch today, members of both teams will disband. No training squad for the first test on July 14 at Dunedin will be announced after the game. Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the national selection panel, said yesterday that a match might be arranged for the first New Zealand test team against North Otago for Wednesday. July 11, but a decision on this rested with the New Zealand council. If this match was to be played, members of the New Zealand team would assemble in Dunedin on July B—the day after the team was announced. Should the not eventuate, the team would not assemble at Dunedin until July 11. This had been the practice for many years, said Mr Morrison. Lancaster Park is carrying a heavy sole of g ’ass for today’s game, and although thp ground will offer a precarious foothold, surface conditions should favour football. Sunshine and a fairlv stiff breeze yesterday did much to drv th° ground. Both teams practised on the south ground at Lancaster Park yesterday, the South I land team under the watchful eye of two of the South Island selectorc (Messrs J. G. Rankin and R. R. King) and the New Zealand fifteen under Messrs R. C. Stuart (forwards) and Morrison (backs). Both teams aopear to be particularly fit. with the backs especially showing great dash and confidence in handling a greasy ball.