ALL BLACKS INJURED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 20

ALL BLACKS INJURED

Clarke, Briscoe Twist Ankles

The physical fitness of some candidates for the New Zealand Rugby test teams this season had caused the selection committee concern, and the chairman of selectors (Mr ' J. L. Sullivan) said yesterday that there would be no hesitation in replacing any of the players who were not fully fit in the training runs before the test on Saturday. By last evening the policy was on the point of being put into practice, for two members of the New Zealand team suffered twisted [ankles at a practice run during | the afternoon. The practice was [on the grounds of the Christchurch Boys' High School. The full-back. D. B. Clarke, twisted his left ankle, and the half-back. K. C. Briscoe, also twisted an ankle at training.

These were not the only casualties in the New Zealand camp The Wellington wing, R. W. Caulton, did not join the team yesterday. because of an attack of influenza, and last evening T. R Lineen, the second five-eighths, was confined to bed with poisoned glands, associated with an abcess on a tooth. Caulton is expected to join the team this afternoon. Two Taranaki players have been alerted by the selectors and asked to stand by in readiness to join the team if necessary. They are the wing. T. P. O’Sullivan, and the half-back. R. J. Urbahn. who was in the New Zealand team for the first test. No Provision Mr Sullivan, asked last evening why no provision had yet been made for a possible replacement for Clarke, said nothing would be done until the All Blacks had had a training run this morning. He would make no comment on the alerting of Urbahn, although the Canterbury half-back, M. F. Whitta had already been named as emergency half-back. Lineen, New Zealand's best back in the second test, had to have medical attention last evening. Both test teams will train this morning. The British Isles has first choice of training ground, and until a decision is made by the team management, it will not be known where the All Blacks will train. Mr Sullivan, in his earlier statement, said the question of fitness had been discussed with the players, and a new circular had been sent them warning them of the need for fitness. Mr Sullivan said the players had been told they were expected to keep in top physical condition. For many of them club training had ended, and it therefore required an individual effort. He said there were several test prospects who had not been getting much match practice and whose fitness was therefore suspect Schools’ Tourney At Blenheim (New Zeaiana Press Association) BLENHEIM, August 26. Third-round results in the Seddon Shield districts primary schools’ Rugby tournament, played this afternoon. were: Nelson 8. Golden BavMotueka 0: Marlborough 9, Buller 3 Points at the end of today’s play were: West Coast and Nelson, played 2, won 2. 4 Marlborough, played 2. won 1 lost 1 2: Buller, played 3. won 1, lost 2,2; Golden BayMotueka. played 3 lost 3. 0 Sydney Club Teain To Visit N.Z. SYDNEY. August 25. A tour of New Zealand, to cost £A3OOO. will be made next month by the Sydney junior Rugby team. Petersham-Sutherland. The 22 members of the party will meet their own expenses. A former test forward, N. Shehadie. is coaching the touring players before they sail on September 11. In New Zealand, the famous All Black full-back, R. W. H. Scott, has undertaken to coach the Australians. The first match will be against the Petone Club. The Australians then will visit Palmerston North, Woodville. Napier, Hastings, Rotorua, Paeroa. Thames, and Auckland. Ellesmere Teams The following team has been chosen to represent Ellesmere under 17 against Canterbury under 17 at Rugby Park on Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m.:— N. A. Alexander (S.); W. Inwood (L.S.N.), D. Harvey (Pin), R. Winchester (S.); C. Sheehan (L.S.N.), B. Fisher (Lin.); J. Gray (L.S.N.); G. Kimber (Lin.). T. Mehlhopt (S.>, G. Thompson (Pin.). A. Manson (Pin.). C. Burns (Pin.), M. Duff (L.S.N.), A. Raich (Lin.). M. Ford (S.).

Emergencies.—Forwards: T. Pratt (L.S.N.), M. Wallis (Pin.). Backs: M. Moorhead (S.), R. Boon (L.S.N.). The Ellesmere under 6st 71b team to play Canterbury under 6st 71b at Waltham Park No. 2 on Saturday. August 29, at 10 a.m.. will be:—

N. Walker (D. >; W. Brooke (I.). W Fussell (S.i, G. Gilbert (S.): D. Bruce (S.), G. Mcllraith (S.. captain); R McMillan (W.l: M. Gilbert (S.); N. Dulieu (W.l, J. Ryan (W.), R. Hadfield (I.). W. Newton (W.). P. Reid (L.S.N.), M. Amyes (L.S.N.), P. McEvedy (S.). Emergencies.—Forwards: M. Harkness (I. I, D. Barnett (D.I. P. Crossen (W.). Backs: M. Dulieu (W.l, P. O’Dell (P.>. K. Hamilton (W.).

The Ellesmere under Bst 71b team to play Canterbury at Waltham Park No. 1 on August 29, at 10 a.m., will be:—

R. Taylor (L.S.N.); R. Inwood (L.S.N.), T. McJarrow (D.). M. Ellis (L.S.N.); M. Burt (S.). A Carmichael (P.); B. Watkins (Lin., cantain i; G. Dilbert (L.S.N., vice-cap-tain); T. Jones (L.S.N.). R. Wylie (S.I. F. Gilbert (S.l. N. Washbourne (I.). I. Barnett (D.i. Peter Lee (P.) J. Busch (P.>.

Emergencies.—Forwards: A. Mason (D.I, A. Dunlop (W). Backs: J. Bennett (P ). D. McPherson (D ).