One Change Likely For All Blacks’ Test Team

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30339, 15 January 1964, Page 6

One Change Likely For All Blacks’ Test Team

[From A. R. VFYSEY, NZP.A. Special Correspondent) ABERDEEN, January 14. Apart from the replacement of the injured D. A. Arnold, there is unlikely to be any change in the All Blacks’ team to play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. The team, which will be announced after the match against North of Scotland, will probably include B. A. Watt and M. A. Herewini as the five-eighths, Watt moving out to the position Arnold filled against Ireland, Wales and England.

The forwards are expected to be the same eight which so comprehensively defeated England. The only aspect of the selection which may exercise the selectors’ minds is the lack of substance which is still apparent in Herewini’s Play. Against both North-west and North-east Counties he showed dashes of his known natural ability and balance, but spoilt these with inconsistent handling, and barely emerged from the matches with a favourable ratio. E. W. Kirton is not playing the Rugby to come into international reckoning, although his more recent performances have been sound and reliable.

P. T. Walsh, a much more relaxed runner again, would hardly be considered for a test position, and M. J. Dick’s scoring potential on the wing is too great to bring him in as a second five-eighths. So it is Herewini and Watt and the only alternative to these at first and second fiveeighths is to have Watt inside and Herewini outside. This is not without some merit, for Watt, if anyone, would ensure that the little Aucklander got sensible distribution of the ball. It might give Herewini a rather more comfortable feeling of having time and room to move. However, that is tossing straws to the wind. The more likely view is that Herewini is showing enough form to make him a fair risk.