RUGBY Suggested Changes In Tour Of 1960 All Blacks

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 6

RUGBY Suggested Changes In Tour Of 1960 All Blacks

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 16. Five members of the 1949 All Black touring team in South Africa have presented a special report to the New Zealand Rugby Union urging alterations in South Africa’s suggested itinerary for the 1960 tour. ' The report has been prepared by the captain of the 1949 team (F. Allen), J. Simpson* R. R. Elvidge, N. Thornton, and E. Boggs. Their aim is to assist in guarding against the pitfalls that can so easily trap a team travelling the vast distances in South Africa.

The fifth game of the tour (against Boland) involves a trip from Windhoek (5428 ft to Wellington (sea level) and back up to Johannesburg, with only nine days left before the first -test. This period, they say, does not allow for the acclimatisation so necessary when travelling from sea level to the high veldt. The alternative they suggested is to replace the Boland match with the Northern Transvail game at Pretoria, which is in the high veldt area. * ‘Excessive Travelling’ ’ Excessive travelling, the. five members say, is demanded before the second test (Cape Town) and the third test (Bloemfontein), In the week of the second test the team is asked to play on the Wednesday and travel by bus from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Thursday. This leaves only Friday—the day before the international—for a hard work-out: Similar badly-timed arrangements occur before the third test, again leaving an inadequate, oneday training period. The alternative is to use aircraft (particularly in the case of the second test) or switch the Wednesday games to Tuesdays. More time in South Africa, they say, should be allowed at the end of the playing tour. The itinerary shows the fourth test at Port Elizabeth on August 27. a flight to Johannesburg on August 28, and departure for home on Auguit 28.

This means that all homecoming arrangements, including the major task of liiggage, must be attended to in the week before the fourth test. This is not in the best interests of the team at such a crucial stage—a period when all concentration is necessary for test Rugby. The alternative is to extend the tour, in spite of the extra expense. Such a move would be of real psychological benefit to the team. Visit to Kruger Park The fourth point of criticism is that -although the visit to the Kruger National Park .is a “must,” it comes in the week before the first 'test. If things are not going too well at this stage, the danger arises that the party will be split into two, the test side remaining behind while the others make the trip. This happened in 1949, and all possible steps must be taken to avoid this split. The alternative the five former All Blacks suggest is that the Kruger Park visit be fitted in in an extension of the tour between the fourth test and departure. - Two other vital points in the report concern air travel and entertainment. It is important, they say, to discover whether flights are being made by chartered planes or by regular services. Air travel —which presents a strain on some—will not be a medium to overcome long distances unless flight times are favourably placed. Although the list of entertainments is not yet included in theitinerary, the problem is of such magnitude that a warning is warranted. This aspect - must be ; soundly investigated, otherwise ■ t.he flood of invitations could could easily allow the position to ; get out-of hand, the report says.

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