ALL BLACKS END TEST TRAINING

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28019, 13 July 1956, Page 14

ALL BLACKS END TEST TRAINING

Carisbrook Ground Will Be Wet Tomorrow

(From Our Own Reporter) DUNEDIN, July 12. The All Blacks concluded their training for the first test against South Africa with a fairly energetic practice this afternoon at Kettle Park, among the sand dunes of St. Hilda. The team is fit. The All Blacks arrived in Dunedin from Oamaru this morning in the middle of a steady fall of rain. This rain had fallen steadily all morning and part of the night, and has soaked Carisbrook. Even if no further rain should fall, Carisbrook will be wet on Saturday, The rain did not last into the afternoon, however, and by the time the All Blacks went out to train it had stopped, and clear sky was showing through the dark clouds. Since the team had its first practice on Tuesday at Oamaru it has developed swiftly into a keen and efficient unit. There has been a noticeable change in the forwards. On Tuesday they were getting quickly enough to rucks and breakdowns, but only at the insistence of their coach (Mr R. C. Stuart). Today they needed no encouragment.

The practice had been widely advertised for Carisbrook, but it was only when all the players and a representative of “The Press” were on the bus that the destination was announced as Kettle Park, a small park built on reclaimed ground by the sea. At Carisbrook, a group of New Zealand and South African journalists waited for a team that failed to arrive. But the truth leaked out, and by the time the team had changed enthusiasts, photographers, and journalists had arrived.

Mr Stuart put the team through every possible manoeuvre that may be needed on Saturday. The lessons learnt from Mr Stuart in the practices at Oamaru had been learnt well, and for most of the hour’s practice Mr Stuart seldom had to break into the training. The backs again did little until the forwards had been put through the many phases of forward play. Until then they kicked and got the feel of a fairly slippery ball, and under Mr T. C. Morrison’s eye carried out many passing rushes as from the base of the scrum.

When the forwards were ready Messrs Stuart and Morrison took no further hand in the practice. The captain (P. B. Vincent) and the vicecaptain (R. H. Duff) then took over and completed the training in a combined effort. The emergencies acted as opponents in the various movements. and they had an unenviable time, for the forwards began to play more vigorously. The full-back, P. T. Walsh, took little part in the practice. He spent most of the time line kicking and fielding high punts. Later, with R. A. Jarden, he practised goal kicking. Both kicked some good goals, but it was I. J. Clarke, the Waikato front-row prop, the spectators talked about most—from the sideline and outside the twentyfive he kicked three field goals in sue-

With the main practice over R. C. Hemi, the hooker, and Vincent spent a few minutes in practising hooking and discussed the most suitable way of putting the ball into the scrums. Tonight, the team attended a function in the Dunedin Town Hall at which the “Sportsman of the Year” trophy was presented to the New Zealand cricketer, John Reid. Tomorrow morning, they will be taken for sight-seeing tours by taxi, and in the afternoon will visit Carisbrook. The evening will be free. The heavy rain has provided another talking point for the thousands of Rugby enthusiasts in Dunedin, and many who favoured South Africa’s chances after its win over Otago last Saturday have altered their opinions The weather has produced the conditions with which New Zealand players are most familiar, but it could limit*the opportunities of the backs. At the same time, the Springboks have become more proficient in wetweather football. Any advantage there should be, however, should be in favour of New Zealand. The AU Blacks will field a lighter pack than the South Africans, and this should aid their forwards’ mobility.

MR HOLLAND SENDS GOOD WISHES

(From Our Own Reporter) DUNEDIN, July 12.

The captain of the All Blacks (P B. Vincent) received the following telegram from the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) when the team arrived in Dunedin today:— “I am very sorry that my absence in London makes it impossible for me to see the first test on Saturday. Best wishes to all members of the team for a good sporting game and a good win. Kind regards.”

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