Sodden Ground Today For Springboks At Whangarei

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27993, 13 June 1956, Page 14

Sodden Ground Today For Springboks At Whangarei

(New Zealand Press Association>

WHANGAREI, June 12.

Torrential rain threatened today to interfere with tomorrow’s Rugby match at Whangarei between South Africa and North Auckland. It was thought that at least six of the home team would be unable to reacn Whangarei. as several roads were blocked with flood waters, but all members of the side had reported tonight to their hotel. . For some it meant a journey of more than six hours instead of little more, than two. Since the Springboks arrived in Whangarei on Sunday night, almost 2in of rain has fallen, and Rugby Park, where 'the game will be played, was a sloppy mess this morning. It will probably become a quagmire early in the game. Three weeks ago the ground was covered by more than 2ft 6in of water but seemed to have made a good recovery. The heavy rain of the last few days, however, has returned the ground almost to the state it was after the flood. 20,000 Spectators Expected The weather is not expected to have any great effect on attendances, however. For most of Northland—especially Whangarei—tomorrow will be a holiday. The biggest crowd so far at Rugby Park has been just over 14,000, but tomorrow’s match is expected to draw up to 20,000. If there is to be any advantage in the ground condition, it will be with North Auckland, but even this advantage, if it is one, is expected to have little effect on the final outcome. The home forwards have become accustomed to heavy conditions this season, but they will be much lighter than the Springboks. The outcome of the match is almost certain to be decided among the forwards, and if the visitors can master the heavy ground they should have little difficulty in winning. Although the team manager (Dr. D. H. Craven) has said that the side will play open

Rugby, the conditions are likely to be such tomorrow that back play will be largely impracticable. The South Africans playing tomorrow did not have a run today, but in a training session this morning the rest of the Springboks shewed that they are beginning to adapt themselves to the conditions , even better than they did in yesterday’s two-hour session with Dr. Craven. A few of the South Africans have colds.

It had not been decided tonight who would lock the South African scrum. Originally J. Claassens was to replace C. J. de Nysschen, but he is now not available. A final choice will be made in the morning. The wing to be dropped from the North Auckland side will also be named in the morning. North Auckland’s Record North Auckland has played three matches this season for two wins and a loss. The back-line is speedy enough, but the real power lies in the forwards. How P. F. Jones. All Black of recent seasons, compares with the Springbok flankers should be interesting, as Jones could yet be in line for a place in the New Zealand scrum. One of the home team’s front-row props, J. Isaacs, has played for his province for the last 10 years and has played in every match North Auckland has played with an overseas team since the end of the war. Included in the side are six Maoris, all of whom have played for New Zealand Maori teams in recent years. One of those, P. Erceg, was an All Black in 1951. This afternoon the visitors were taken for a motor drive to Russell and the treaty house at Waitangi. On the way they passed thousands of acres of flooded farmland. In many places only the tops of fence posts were showing above the water. The convoy of cars had to travel over a 200-yard section of road that wa« covered with more than 18in of water