All Blacks May Play One Short In Sydney

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29200, 10 May 1960, Page 16

All Blacks May Play One Short In Sydney

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 9. There is a strong possibility that the All Blacks will field only 14 men in the first of five matches they are to play in Australia. The Auckland first five-eighths, S. R. Nesbit, who injured a knee in a club match at Auckland after the team was selected, would be a very doubtful starter in the first match, said the assistant manager of the team (Mr J. L. Sullivan) after a training run at Eden Park. Auckland, this afternoon.

While the rest of the players ran long and hard in the hour and a half run, Nesbit was content to flex his injured knee, but towards the end of the practice joined the other backs in a couple of sharp bursts. The All Blacks are to play their first match of the tour, against Queensland, at the Sydney Sports Ground next Saturday afternoon. “There is the other possibility of having one man play two matches that afternoon,” said Mr Sullivan, “and there is no lack of volunteers if such a course becomes necessary.” Immediately after the Queensland match, the All Blacks—the remaining 15—are to play Australia’s top Rugby State team. New South Wales. Last year New South Wales beat the Lions in the second match of that team’s tour Experiments Among Backs At today’s run held soon after the team’s arrival from Wellington, several back combinations were tried. W. A Davies, the young Aucklander included as the team’s second full-back and second five-eighths, ran at first five-eighths outside R. J Urbahn, with another Aucklander, A. H Clarke, running mainly outside K. C. Briscoe. J. R. Watt who plays centre normally in Wellington, ran throughout on the wing, with R F. McMullen inside him. Both Watt and McMullen have represented New Zealand on the wing.

The Otago flanker, R. J Conway who had a finger amputated a fortnight ago, trained hard throughout, and will almost certainly be available to play on Saturday, according to Mr Sullivan.

More than 1000 Aucklanders saw the players train. Crowds lined both touchlines. One lone “anti-tour" man stood quietly holding a placard which stated his views on the tour.

At the end of their training run the players were mobbed by autograph hunters, many of them schoolchildren on holiday. At the end of the run members of the team were accorded an informal reception by the ActingMayor of Auckland (Mr R. C Savoury). Tonight was a free evening for the players, with the Auckland members of the party allowed to spend their last night before departure with their families. Watch By Police

The team is scheduled to depart for Sydney by air soon after 9 a.m. Because of rumoured moves by “anti-tour” sections of the public at Whenuapai airport, the police and airport officials are believed to have taken precautions which will ensure the dispatch of the team's aircraft on schedule. There were certain sections of the community which genuinely felt that the team should not leave New Zealand, said the manager of the team (Mr T H Pearce) tn an interview with the New Zealand Press Association in Auckland this evening. “On the other hand, a great number of people have felt throughout that should go on. “Wbw that this team of very

fine young New Zealanders is about to leave these shores, it is incumbent on every loyal New Zealander to get wholeheartedly behind the team.” said Mr Pearce. “This 1960 tour by the All Blacks is recognised as the most difficult and strenuous of all tours ever undertaken by a New Zealand team,” be said. Other New Zealand teams had possibly played more matches, but in the intensive Rugby atmosphere of South Africa there would be few, if any. easy games, he said. “The games which the Australian Rugby Union has arranged for us in Australia will be of inestimable value in that all members of the team will have played at least one match before they land in South Africa. Again, we recognise that the games in Australia—against New South Wales, for instance—will not be easy “In Great Heart”

“The team is in great heart, and already has a wonderful team spirit,” said Mr Pearce. “As a result of the strenuous trial series before the team was selected, the players should rapidly sweep into good form. “I believe we are t iking away a well-balanced side with highly capable backs and forwards.” said Mr Pearce. “We shall endeavour at all times to play the traditional type of New Zealand Rugby where the backs and forwards combine in complete integration “Naturally we hope to have our share of success, but we are not conceited enough to presume that we will win every game. All I can say is that the team will definitely be trying to achieve a first-class record.” Mr Pearce said he would make no predictions about the tests, nor would there be any recognition of any such title as "world champions.” “What I will say, though, is that we will be doing our very best against the South Africans In the four tests that will be played,” he said