Heavier Team Than 1949

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 5

Heavier Team Than 1949

The All Black team to tour South Africa this year is younger and heavier than the 1949 team, which lost all four tests to the Springboks. In view of the present trend for weight and height, it is rather surprising to note the weights of the four locks in the 1949 side. The heaviest was H. F. Frazer, of Hawke’s Bay, who was also the heaviest of the team, at 15 stone. C. Willocks. of Otago, one of the successful locks of the tour was a mere 14st 31b and his height of 6ft lin seems inadequate when compared to the 6ft 4in of C. Horsley. C. Mead-, and N. Mac Ewan of the 1960 side. Enthusiasts had every reason to believe that K. Skinner and J. Simpson, who made a deep impression on ‘he South Africans, were huge men. but Skinner was 14st 71b only and Simpson was four pounds heavier. The heaviest of the present front rankers is M. Irwin (16st 41b), while R. C. Hemi (hooker) is 15st 31b and W. Whineray is 15st 21b. Four of the backs in the 1949 side were aged 28 and four others were 26. Many of these were members of the successful Kiwi side who finished their careers after the South African tour. It was felt at the time that several were past their best during the tour because of their age.

S. G. Bremner, at 29. is the oldest back in the present team, three years older than R. F. McMullen, one of the veterans of the side. The 1960 backs, with D. Cameron 20. A. H. Clarke 22. W. A. Davies 20. T. P. O'Sullivan 22 and three others 23 are much younger than their counterparti 11 years ago.