FIRST TEST AT SYDNEY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27989, 8 June 1956, Page 3

FIRST TEST AT SYDNEY

RUGBY LEAGUE

AUSTRALIA LOSES KEY PLAYER

N.Z. MANAGER CONFIDENT

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, June 7.

Australia’s hopes for the first Rugby League test match against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday suffered a severe blow today. The speedy winger, Brian Carlson. had to withdraw from the Australian team because of the recurrence of a leg injury. Carlson scored a try at Newcastle on Monday, making the New Zealand defence look as if it was standing still. His place has been taken by Don Adams, who also played against New Zealand at Newcastle. Another Australian player is suffering from stomach trouble. He is Cyril Connelly a five-eighths and captain of Queensland representative teams. A decision will be made this evening whether he will play on Saturday. The New Zealand manager, Mr Ron McGregor, said today that his team would last the 80-minute game on Saturday. W. F. Corbett, writing in the “Sydney Sun,’’ says: “There is no doubt about that. From what I have seen of them in each of their games so far, the tempo of New Zealand play has improved as the game has advanced.’’

After virtually the last training run today, Mr McGregor said every member of the New Zealand team was fit. The speed of some had increased since they had been in Australia, particularly that of. the prop forward, Duncan Mcßae. Mr McGregor reaffirmed that the Kiwis had moves that they had not yet used. These would be used on Saturday. In spite of New Zealand’s convincing 26-17 win over New South Wales last Saturday. Mr McGregor said today: “We did not really get going. We feel we can give a good account of ourselves on Saturday. Match play has helped our players to settle down. We have discovered weaknesses as we have gone along.’’