THE THIRD TEST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 6

THE THIRD TEST

SPRINGBOKS QUIETLY CONFIDENT CLARKSON AND KRUGER NOT AVAILABLE . ARRANGEMENTS AT THE PARK Interviewed by a Dominion reporter yesterday, Mr. H. C. Bennett, manager’ of the Springlroks, was quietly confident of the (result of Saturday’s game. He qualified his optimism by remarking that if the South Africans were defeated it would, be because they had met their match. He was prepared to accept the game as a fair test of strength between the two. countries. Tho final preparations of the Springboks were proceeding satisfactorily, and contrary to what was originally anticipated the majority of his men were now fit and sound. In fact, only fodr Springboks would not be available for selection on account of injuries, namely, Sendin, Seidle, Clarkson, and Kruger. Fortunately de Kock had made a rapid recovery. He would have liked to have seen Clarkson and Kruger ready to take the field, but it was really combination that told rather than individual effort. The training of both teams is now rapidly drawing to a close. The AH Blacks finish up this evening and will rest for the remainder of the week. The Springboks are quartered at two private hotels at Island Bay, and on account of all hands needing a rest more than anything else they have been taking things very easy. , Yesterday afternoon the visitors had a short pra-ctice on the Athletic Park, indulging mostly in passing rushes and their orthodox methods of- attack. According to Air. Bennett the team n ill probably not be picked before Saturday morning. The announcement of the players selected to represent Now Zealand will probably not be made until to-morrow night or Saturday morning. TO COPE WITH THE CROWD.

arrangements have been made for coping with the huge attendance expected at the Park on Saturday. In ft letter read at the last meeting of the Ndw Zealand Rugby Union the city engineer advised that the two new stands were approved. Other proposals were, it was stated, for an extra pair of exit gates at the northern end, and dhe removal of the four existing double gates at the south lend to a .position opposite the southern embankment so as to give a straight run out into the street. At least' two panels of the fence on the western, side, the engineer said, should be made so as to be lifted, off prior to the end of the match, and a large exit notice displayed. "It is also very advisable that the public should be urged, added Mr. Alorton, "after the match is over not to rushitowards the exits, but to maintain their places for a few minutes to enable the crowds to disperse gradually. I think it advisable also, it it can possibly be done, to arrange lor the players to proceed from the playing space, to tho dressing rooms without being mingled with the crowd. An alleywav formed by members of your association, aided by the police, would 1 think, facilitate this being doiie; otherwise I expect a serious blockage to the main exit gates immediately after the eame ” The union decided to make eveiy endeavour to carry out the suggestions. mustering the schoolboys. Evervthing points to the fact that Saturday will Ibe largely observed as a general holiday, in which the Publicburvice, banks, insurance, and law offices and many mercantile houses will probal> will be made to sell tickets at both north and south .gates at the Athletic Park, and two t cket boxes will be placed on the Adelaide Road section. . Z"; . The police will -have instructions to assist officials,when called upon, and will generally co-operate in keeping ord< The Headmasters’ Association will be asked to marshal the schoolboys from their' respective schools not. later than noon, and they will be marched into the ground through the south gate. a delayedlnvitation SUGGESTED RETURN AIATCH IN SYDNEY.

In an interview with a Dominion reporter last night, Mr. Bennett manager of the Springboks, said that he bad not vet officially considered the of playing a return match against New South A Vales in Sydney (duniig the team’s" short stay there on the way homo All he knew about tho was gained from Press re P° rte ’ stated that the application of the JN&w South.. AV ales Union bad been forwarded bv the New Zealand-Union to himself This was some weeks ago, but he a vet to bezr from the New Zealand Union He referred to the’ team s ximitYd sta’v in Sydney, but at the some time indicated that he would bo inclined te consider the matter when he received the invitation.

ALL BLACKS ENFERTAINED PRESENTATION OF A FLAG.

At the Eastbourne Hall last evening, the All Black team were entertained by the residents of the d> s tn c t. There urns a large gathering, and the Mayor (- - F Mather) presided. The early porti of the programme was devoted to a number of interesting boxing bouts. Advantage .was taken of the occasion to piesent. the team with a flag. Mr Mather, in handing the flag < Mr A. J. Griffiths, said ho esteemed it a pleasure to make the P les ®? tat ’°" During their stay at the bay the men had conducted themselves as gentlemen, and as regarded the test match, if anybody "had the wind up, it was the Springboks. He trusted that the fla„ would he carried to a glorious victory The Hon. .1. G. Coates expressed., his pleasure at being present. Ho was sure that the unqualified desire of eveiyone in New' Zealand was that the flag would be carried to victory. If fortune did go against them ho knew eveiyonc on the ground would take the beating like true sportsmen. The speaker congratulated the Rugby Union on the method they had adopted in giving the players a chance to be fit for the (great test. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., suggested that when ihe great trial of strength was over those who controlled the atfairs of the team would be advised to have emblazoned on the flag that had l.een presented that evening, fifteen fern loaves, on each of which would lie inscribed Hie name of each member of the team. Ho wished the team every success on Saturday. Mr. Mather announced that the committee had made provision for th© emblazoning of the fern leaves on the flag. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, Dr. A. K. Newman. M.P., and Mr. G. W. Slade rlso spoke. Mr. A. J. Griffiths, on behalf of the team, expressed thanks for the handsome gift of which they had- been the recipients. They fully realised the burden they were shouldering in their, endeavour to uphold New Zealand’s prestige in the Rugby world, and ho could give this message to the people of New Zealand: "When we take the field we go as fit men. Tf our opponents, the Springboks, prove themselves better than we, then pood luck to them. We have left no stono unturned to put the team in a fit and proper condition.*’ (Applause.) Ih-ior to the conclusion of the gathering (ho team assembled on the stage

and* contributed a couple of original "parodies." A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. OTAGO V. WAIRARAPA SOUTHERN TEAM WINS UNINTERESTING GAME. ■ By Telegraph —Press Association. Carterton, September 14. Wairarapa met Otago at Carterton today, in splendid weather. A very poor exposition of Rugby was given. The first spell consisted entirely of scrums and tight forward play, in which Wairarapa predominated. The home team '‘kept Otago pretty well penned, in their 'own half. Repeated infringements gave Wairarapa four shots at goal, Torrance failing on each occasion. Matson marked in front of the goal, and his kick also failed. The spell ended with, no score on either side.

In the second spoil Otago opened up the play, and two tries were scored in quick succession by Hawke and Sonntag. Owles converted the first try. Otago, 8; Wairarapa, nil. Wairarapa rallied, and drove play near the Otego goal. From a free kick Torrance essayed another goal fruitlessly. Immediately afterwards Rose marked in a good* position, but his kick was smothered. The Otego backs began passing, and after pretty play Ward scored. Watson failed to convert. From a loose forward rush Davidson scored. Sonntag failed with the kick. From play in front of the Otago goal, Torrance had another unsuccessful shot. The Wairarapa forward* rushed' play to the Otago line, and James succeeded in touching down. Tor-' rance failed to convert. A very uninteresting game ended: Otago, 14; Wairarapa, 3. The Otago team left by the 6.30 p.m. train for Wellington, en route for New Plymouth. x HAWKE’S BAY”bEAT SOUTHLAND GAME FAST AND FAIRLY OPEN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, September 14. \An interprovincial Rugby match Southland v. Hawke’s Bay, was played here to-day before about 2000 spectators. The game was fast and fairly open, and was won by Hawke's Bay by 22 points to 7. It was much more even than the scores indicate. The visitors frequently attacked, but tho home team’s tackling and smothering were solid, and the vork of their full-back (Yates) was very effective. His .fine tackling prevented several scores. The Hawke’s Bay forwards wgre superior, and was mo-re' sting and good combination in the team’s attack, resulting in the visitors’ line being crossed five times. Tries were scored by J. Blake, Grenside, Batchelor, Kivell, and Akuira. Two were converted by Yates. The visitors’ score consisted of a potted goal by Cockroft and a . try by St. George. WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES MEN SELECTED FOR TRAINING. The Wellington selectors (Messrs. E. Perry, C. Ramsden, and A. J. Griffiths) have chosen the following twenty-two players to go into training in view of the Ranfurly Shield matches against Auckland and Otego next week:— Backs: S. K. Siddells, P. Markham, D. Algar, B. Algar, E. Ryan, M. Nicholls, H. E. Nicholls, E. Roberts, A. Jackson, G. Aitken. , Forwards!: E. King, S. Shearer, 0. \ Shearer, A. Bruce, W. Ryan, F. M. Hanson, J. Duncan, S. Standen, Arthur Parker, de Clifton, J. Moffitt, and Muir. The above players are requested to attend the Poneke gymnasium this evening. Absentees, other than those with the New Zealand team, will not be available for final selection. Tho Wellington B representative team will also train at the Poneke gymna-v iunj this evening. Mr. C. Ramsden has been appointed manager of the team. REFEREES’ ANNUAL SMOKE. CONCERT SPRINGBOKS PRESENT. The'annual 'smoke concert of the Wellington Rugby Referees’ Association was held last evening at Dustin’s Rooms, aud it passed off very successfully. There was a large attendance of inenibers and representatives! (of ifite New Zealandan d Wellington Unions, while the guests of honour were Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, anc l ~ 1Herlihy, official representative of th® New South Wales Union. > . , , Proposing the toast of the Springboks, Mr. A. E. Neilson said that members of the team were all true sports, and set a high standard as players. In replying, Mr. Bennett took the opportunity of publicly refuting the published remarks in reference to the Soutj> Africa to*-Al nori onaiteh> which are (referred to in another column. Mr. G. Fache proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Rugby Union,” remarking that tho position of the representatives on the management committee ’of the union was no sinecure, involving as if did time and capacity for -withstanding adverse criticism. Response was made by Mr. E. y "The AVellington Referees’ Association was proposed by Mr.. Amandt, and i-e--sponded to by the hon. secretary (Mr. . Mr R T Bailev toasted "The Wellington Rugby’Union.” He said that many of those connected with Rugby did not appreciate what it meant to bo a member of the management committee. It was easy to (criticise, but what was needed was constructive criticism. , _ In replv, Mr. F. A. Laws paid a tribute to the work of the AVellington referees and the high standard they had Se " The New Zealand Referees’ Association” was proposed by Mir-8. Hylton, ana responded to by Mr. D. M'Kenzie, chairman of the association. Mr. M Kenzie doprecatod' (the slight teat had been cast on referees by not allowing the association to be represented at the conibranco Zvith the South African land Now South Wales Unions. Mr. Sievers also replied. . The toast of "The Ambulance •A-sso^’a-tion” was honoured at tho call of Mr. A. C. Kitto, and-response made by Messrs. Ayson and Hislop, while Air. J. Moffitt proposed the toast of “The Visitors,” response being made by Mr. F. Mitchinson. A lengthy musical programme was gone through.