SPRINGBOK GAME TODAY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27999, 20 June 1956, Page 14

SPRINGBOK GAME TODAY

GROUND WILL BE VERY HEAVY (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, June 19. Some of the heaviest rain this year —so heavy that it drove through the roof of the Y.M.C.A. stadium and stopped indoor basketball —fell in Palmerston North, to-night, This put it beyond doubt that tomorrow’s game will be played on an extremely heavy ground. Members of the Manawatu-Horo-whenua side have been instructed to play “open Rugby” but unless they wish to avoid “Rugby suicide” it is likely they will be forced to play to their forwards. The weather has had little effect on the enthusiasm for the match, however. Early patrons took up their positions at the gates soon after 8 p.m. and intended to sleep in their cars throughout the night until the gates are opened. A crowd of up to 20,000 is expected to attend. The Springboks feel that New Zealand’s plan to bog them in mud was carried too far today. Some of the players went to a clay bird shoot in private cars, and when it was time to leave they were stuck. Heavy rain had made the grounds sodden, and a tractor was needed to get everyone back on the road.

A prize presented for competition among the Springboks was won by D. S. P. Ackerman, who hit eight birds in 10 shots, including his practice run. The trophy was a small clock with a paua shell face. D. F. Retief will remember the shoot better than most of his companions. H. J. Bekker had a quiet word with the men operating the skeet trao, and next minute up came Retief’s hat—to be riddled with shot in a fair “kill.” Others of the Springbok party were also “taken in.” Over the final few rounds they seemed to be doing exceptionally well: hardly a bird got away. The truth leaked out when they found a member of the Manawatu Gun Club in the trap taking care of the birds the Springboks missed.

INJURIES AMONG SPRINGBOKS

MANAGER’S CALL FOR REPLACEMENTS (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, June 19. “We have been in touch with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the South African Board about replacements for the team. That is all I can say at this stage,” said the manager 1 of the South African Rugby side (Dr. D. H. Craven) this morning. Dr. Craven would make no further comment on a cablegram from South Africa saying that two replacements had been asked for. Dr. Craven said this afternoon that a statement would be made as soon as he had received official confirmation from the South African Rugby Board. Dr. Craven also would make no comment on a statement that he had been considering a quick journey to Australia in the next few days about arrangements for replacements. The report said that it was understood that Dr. Craven had had some differences of opinion with the South African Board. “The question of replacements has already been discussed with Dr. Craven,” said the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr G. H. Geddes), when the cable message from South Africa was referred to him today. “A replacement for C. J. van Wyk was offered while the team was still in Australia and van Wyk was invited to be the New Zealand Union’s guest for the remainder of the tour.

“The procedure for the additional replacement, according to the tour agreement, will be that the South African manager will inform the New Zealand union of the name of the injured player whom he wishes to be replaced.

“This player has to be examined by a panel of three doctors, who will be asked to see if he is unfit so as to be unable to take a useful part in the remainder of the tour.

“If this proves to be the case, then the New Zealand union will be asked to give permission for him to be replaced. There is no doubt that the New Zealand union will grant this permission, if required.

“The council of the New Zealand union will discuss the whole question at its meeting on Friday,” he said.

T. BRIERS MAY JOIN TEAM (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) ■ (Rec. 11 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, June 19. Theunis Briers, the Springbok wing, left his farm for Cape Town today, thus appearing to confirm reports that he is number one replacement for the South African Rugby team in New Zealand. His mother said- “Theunis did not say what the trip was about. All I know is that the South African Rugby Board requested a meeting with him.” Briers did not play in the trials to select the team for New Zealand. He had just been married, and said he had to attend to his new farm. He played in four tests against the touring British Lions last year. Briers is reported to be not quite fit. He played his first club game last Saturday. Two other replacements on Dr. Craven’s list are reported to be James Starke (Stellenbosch University flank forward) and Stoffel Bosch (Western Transvaal’s lock forward). A Transvaal Rugby official said in Johannesburg last night that his union had received no communication from Cape Town about replacements from Transvaal. This means that Joe Kaminer (Transvaal centre) is apparently not among those asked for by Dr. Craven.