COMING ARMED TO THE TEETH" Springbok Defeats Not Fooling N.Z.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 21

COMING ARMED TO THE TEETH" Springbok Defeats Not Fooling N.Z.

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 28. The poor record of the Springboks during their short tour of Ireland and Scotland has not lulled any of New Zealand’s leading Rugby men into complacency.

In fact, many in special interviews expressed the fear the setbacks may work to the advantage of South Africa in its fullscale tour of this country, which begins on June 30.

Typical was the comment of the New Zealand selector and captain of the All Blacks in South Africa in 1949, Mr F. R. Allen. “I’m sorry it happened. They’ll come out here now. armed to the teeth,” he said. "It was surprising to see them go down in four out of five matches, but I think the lack of time to build team snirit and match fitness were the greatest contributing factors, not any serious deficiencies in skill.” Washed Up? No Fear! The chairman of the New Zealand three-man selection panel, Mr N. J. McPhail, also picked on lack of combination as the answer to the Springbok defeats. "Do I think they’re washed up?—No fear!” he said. The union president and manager of the 1960 AU Blacks in South Africa, Mr T. H. Pearce said: “The results in Britain have no bearing at all on what will happen here. "The team in Britain can’t be confused with the one that will play in New Zealand. The personnel may be the same but the approach will be different.” Much Tighter Play Commenting on the standard of Springbok play, Mr Pearce said that during his visit to South Africa last year for jubilee matches he had observed that forward play had loosened up considerably. "I would guess that this might have affected Springbok play in Britain,” he said, "and I would expect them to revert to the much tighter

play we encountered in 1960.” Mr Pearce also said he would hope New Zealand forward play would be much tighter this season that it was against Australia last year. “The same tendency I noticed in South Africa has developed here,” he said. “Good back play can only develop behind good tight forward play.” Ironing Out Problems The council chairman, Mr T. C. Morrison, warned that South African results in Britain would be no indication whatsoever that the side visiting New Zealand would not be a strong one. “A tour which produces four losses and a draw may lie a harsh way of ironing out problems.” said Mr Morrison, “but I'm sure it has also done a lot of good." New Zealand’s captain in South Africa in 1960 and a favourite to lead the All Blacks again this year, W. J. Whineray, said he would not be greatly swayed by Springbok results in Britain. “Maybe with a view to building tour experience they decided to sacrifice match results in Britain.” he said. “If this was the case, only time will tell whether it was a successful move. “If they were interested in the tour in its own right they were beaten too often for it to be classed a success.” Mr Allen said he had not noticed any complacencycreeping into the attitude of New Zealand players regarding the forthcoming visit of the Springboks. “But it would be easy for such an attitude to develop.” he said. If it does, it will be very hard to remove. It will definitely be something the selectors will work hard to prevent.” Mr McPhail said he would issue a special appeal to

players to put any thought of complacency out of their heads. He said: “If New Zealand thinks it’s home and dried at this stage it’s a very bad thing.” Whineray said he could not imagine a South African side being weak. “I 'think we must treat the coming tour in its own right,” he said, “and I think our older players will do just this. They’ve been beaten too often to become complacent. “As for talk that Hennie Muller (the South African coach for the New Zealand tour) will be panicked, I’d discount that. He has too much depth in football, to pursue anything but a steady course.”