Heavy Ground May Help Springboks

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30793, 3 July 1965, Page 13

Heavy Ground May Help Springboks

(from I. J. D HALL, Rugby Reporter of "The Press.’’)

WELLINGTON. July 2.

Although Wellington was buffeted by wind and rain on Thursday, and there was a drizzle today, it was still expected Athletic Park will have a firm surface for the game between South Africa and Wellington tomorrow.

But even if the ground is heavy, it should not make much difference to either team.

Against Poverty Bay-East Coast, the Springboks showed they could master rain and mud, while Wellington will have had sufficient experience of winter grounds to adjust its play to the conditions. It must be remembered that the short tour of Ireland and Scotland, undertaken by the Springboks this year, had as one of its main points the need to introduce the South African players to the conditions they could expect in New Zealand. That tour was a disaster in the record book but it could well pay dividends in the next few months.

The Springboks did not

train today. Instead, they relaxed completely. Some of the players caught up on letter writing, others went to schools. All in all, it was not the atmosphere one expects oefore a major match. However, the game does have its importance for the Springboks, and also for New Zealand Rugby. One of the All Black selectors, Mr F. R. Allen, was at the Gisborne match, and so was Mr D L. Christian, a North Island selector. Tomorrow, they will be joined by Mr N. J. McPhail, convenor of the All Black panel.

Mr McPhail has been reported as saying it would be a tragedy for New Zealand Rugby if South Africa lost the test series in Australia.

Well, that tragedy has occurred. How will Mr McPhail view a win for Wellington tomorrow? Tragic? More tragic? Most tragic?