League N.Z. FAVOURED FOR TEST

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28920, 13 June 1959, Page 15

League N.Z. FAVOURED FOR TEST

Starting Time Put Forward

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY,-'June 12. The undefeated New Zealand Rugby League team, with a strong pack of forwards and some enterprising backs, will be hard to beat in the first test against Australia on the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow.

The starting time of the match has been brought forward half an hour, and the teams will now line out on the Sydney Cricket Ground at 4.30 p.m., New Zealand time. The British Isles Rugby Union team’s second test against Australia will begin on the adjoining Sydney Sports Ground at 5.15, N6w Zealand time.

Sydney League writers forecast today that Australia’s strong-running wingers, I. Moir and T. McDonald, both professional sprinters, would be the • chief menace to the Kiwis.

The Australian coach, Clive Churchill, a former international captain, said today: “The New Zealanders will need to be supermen to overcome our speed. “It’s a long time since Australia has had a three-quarter line as interesting as this one, with splendid penetrating centres in Harry Wells and Reg Gasnier, and top-class sprinters Moir and McDonald on the wings. “I think our rebuilt test team will develop into a great combination.” New Zealand has halves of international class in K. Roberts and G. Menzies. Its pack, too, is a formidable unit. The front-row—C Johnson, J. Butterfield and H. Maxwell—is rated the soundest in the game. Opposing this line-up Australia has three men playing together for the first time— W. Wilson, of New South Wales, and N. Kelly and D. Beattie, of Queensland. New Zealand must obviously be favoured by its unity and understanding.

Rugs For Rugby Players.— Each member of the British Rugby team, as well as this year's All Blacks, will be presented with a rug by the New Zealand Rugby Union.—(P.A.)