ALL BLACKS TRAINING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 11

ALL BLACKS TRAINING

“Unsporting And Injudicious”

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) JOHANNESBURG. January 13. Leading South African Rugby personalities yesterday described offseason training by the New Zealand All Blacks as injudicious and unsporting. Newspapers in Johannesburg reported strenuous training by prospective members of the team to tour South Africa in 1960.

D. de Villiers, assistant manager of the 1956 Springbok team which toured New Zealand, said: "Training before the winter season is against the spirit of the amateur game.” Mr Jan Lotz, the South African team selector, said: "Rugby is a game, not a task of work," the news agency reported. He added that players training so early ran the risk of becoming stale halfway through the season.

J. Claassen, who captained South Africa against the last touring French side, S. S. Vlviers, the 1956 Springbok captain, and his vice-captain, R. A. du Rand, shared Lotz’s view. Mr M. Zimmerman, a South African selector and Transvaal coach, said: “My personal opinion is that the All Blacks will not be physically, but mentally, weary of Rugby by the time they play in the first test against the Springboks.” He advised players to take part in sports like athletics, cricket, or tennis for summer training, American Associated Press said.