ALL BLACKS WILL BE HARD PRESSED French Have Strongest, Fastest Team Of Series

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 15

ALL BLACKS WILL BE HARD PRESSED French Have Strongest, Fastest Team Of Series

(From J. K. BROOKS)

AUCKLAND.

Every cog in the New Zealand Rugby machine will have to be in perfect working order today if the All Blacks are to extend their record run of 14 successive test wins at Eden Park. For the French team is just the sort of side to throw a spanner in the works.

New Zealand has won the series but the Tricolours’ national pride is at stake, and the new and improved team it will put on the field today has the ability to succeed where the previous two combinations failed.

Three times in the last 13 years All Black teams have lost the final test after making the series secure.

And it will be remembered that France lost the first two tests to South Africa last year but bounced back to gain a win and a draw in the last two matches.

I Several of France’s crying needs of the first two tests have been met by the choice of players for today’s game. The presence of Carrere will give the forwards the leadership they lacked at Christchurch and Wellington, and the return of Cester and the selection of Billiere will double the team's ball-win-ning potential in the lineouts. Team Strengthened The introduction of Lass[erre and Noble to the front row will give France two I scrummagers and ruckers in | the All Black mould. And the switching of Maso from the centre to fly-half should set | the back-line alight. I On paper, at least, France [has patched up the shortcomings which ruled out any (chance of a victory at Wellington. The forwards should 1 be able to win enough ball to give their backs the chance ; to show that they can run and I pass, as well as tackle. Mid-field Pairing [ It must be a comforting 'thought for the French that, ; having made up the leeway 1 between the two teams, in [theory at least, it has two champions in Villepreux and Spanghero who could tip the scales their way. What of the All Blacks? The forwards showed at Wellington that they are as good as ever. And, as masters of the drills and skills of winning forward play, they are

not likely to be impressed by the radical changes in the French line-up. It was a matter for concern at Wellington, however, that the backs were unable to make capital from the huge amount of possession they re- ! ceived. The same sort of ! weary, uninspiring moves [which were displayed in the second test must be replaced by adventurous, attacking play. The pairing of Cottrell and Thorne in mid-field gives a promise of this, but much will depend on the ability of Going to take over where Laidlaw left off and on the acceptance by Kirton that the punt should be used sparingly. The New Zealand wings have been waiting since the series began to be given their fair share of opportunities to attack.

The New Zealand forwards might have to give some ground in the line-outs, but McLeod should reign supreme in the scrums and Meads, Gray and Hopkinson should ensure that their backs get the vital chances they need from the rucked ball.

Both sides spent a relaxed day yesterday. The All Blacks had a quiet time at Waiwera, where some of the players took a dip in the thermal pools, while the French spent most of the day shopping or sleeping. Both sides have recognised the need for a refreshed mental attitude to the game. The coach of the All Blacks (Mr F. R. Allen) admitted that some of the New Zealand players had turned mentally stale through having to play an average of one international match "very five weeks during the last 12 months, “It is going to require a tremendous effort on their [part to build up the keen, eager state of mind test playlers ought to feel as they go i on to the field,” he said. Frenchmen Keen The manager of the French side (Mr J. C. Bourrier) said the attitude of mind of his players was comparable to what it was before the first test.

“In other words, they are all really keen to get into the game and play well,” he said. The ground is in grand order, the weather promises to be fine, and neither side has anything to lose by chancing its arm. All that remains is for the players to cast aside the thuggery which ruined the second test and to make a wholehearted effort to win by means other than penalty goals.