Big Win Expected In First Match

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 14

Big Win Expected In First Match

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ VANCOUVER. With another all-out 80-minute training session behind them, and the team fighting fit, the All Blacks are expected to score a convincing victory over British Columbia today, in the first match of the tour.

The team moved with great dash on Thursday, the accent being on passing. With the coach, Mr F. R. Allen, barking, “Feed, feed, feed,” the backs were urged to move the ball as quickly as possible. At the end of a full run, Mr Allen had the backs pol-

ishing up their jinks and dummy passes, arts which have not always received attention at All Black training sessions.

Forward Strength ' British Columbia's strength is said to be with the forwards, but they are physical ty smaller than the All Blacks, and inexperienced by international standards.

One of the pack, B. Wightman, toured New Zealand in 1963 with M. P. Weston's England team, and several others have played overseas. The backs, some of whom are converts from Canadian football, are said to be strong on defence.

According to local officials, the backs acquitted themselves well in the match against England, but did not see enough of the ball to show their attacking capabilities. England won, 27-0. They are hopeful the team will do better against the All Blacks, but most seem to be of the opinion that this match, and the one to follow at Montreal on Wednesday, should be little more than training runs for the tourists. There are 18 Rugby teams in British Columbia, eight of them in Vancouver, and what a local side might lose in experience it makes up for to enthusiasm. ; Nine of the team selected to play against the All Blacks represented their province against England earlier this month, and seven of these were in the national team which met England to the international. Most of the team also were in the provincial side which beat the British Lions, 8-3, last year, on the Lions return from New Zealand. The last time that an AU Black side played in Vancouver was in 1964, when New Zealand won, 6-3. That match came at the tail end of an aduous British Isles tour and the New Zealanders understandably were tired. This time they are fresh at the start of a tour and can be expected to win handsomely.