THE ALL BLACKS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 222, 20 June 1928, Page 11

THE ALL BLACKS

TEAM FOR TO-DAY’S MATCH AGAINST WESTERN TRANSVAAL (Special to Press Association.) Johannesburg, June 18. The following is the New Zealand team to play Western Transvaal at Potchefstroom on Wednesday:— Full-back: Lilburne. Three-quarters: Rushbrook, Sheen, Lucas. Five-eighths: Strang, Nicholls. Half-back: Kilby. Wing-forward: Stewart. Forwards: Hadley, Hore. M. Brownlie, Alley, Finlayson, Snow, C. Brownlie. Emergencies: Robilliard, Ward. The rest of the team will stay at Johannesburg till Thursday, when the whGle side leaves for Maritzburg.

SATURDAY’S VICTORY OPINION OF SOUTH AFRICAN PAPERS (Special to Press Association.) Johannesburg, June j.o. Most papers throughout the Union are emphatic that the New Zealand team deserved its win against Transvaal last Saturday. The Johannesburg “Star” said: “Perhaps a draw would have been a fairer reflection of tbe run of the game, but against this it mpst be made perfectly clear that with only half the opportunities which came the way of the Transvaal backs, the All Blacks’ back division always seemed more dangerous when in possession of tlie ball, though they rarely looked like scoring. It was always the thrust of their movements which conveyed the impression that the All Blacks’ backs were the more finished players. The tourists confirmed the impression they gave at Kroonstad that the whole side is improving. The forwards were a far more impressive pack than against Transvaal in the first match.”

PLAY CRITICISED ANTIPATHY TOWARDS WING FORWARD (Special to Press Association.) Johannesburg, June IS. Several papers publish columns of letters about the New Zealanders, one maintaining a controversy on “this brutal game of Rugby.’’ There is also considerable argument in the newspapers about Scrimshaw. as rover. It is maintained that Scrimshaw was off-side more often than he was seen to be by the referee. The biggest contention is that Scrimshaw does not get behind the ball after New Zealand has hooked it. South African antipathy towards the wing-forward is the same as expressed in England during the 1924 tour. INJURED TRANSVAAL PLAYERS (Special to Press Association.) Johannesburg, June IS. Inquiries to-day show that injuries to members of the Transvaal team in the match against the All Blacks on "Saturday are more serious than were at first'thought. Baath, the centre-three-quarter, who was injured in the first few minutes of tbe game, is suffering from a broken collarbone and a broken nose. Botha, one of the forwards, is suffering from severe contusions of the side and has internal haemorrhage, as well as a badly split ?ip. Kotz suffered from bad concussion, but recovered to-day.

THE SECOND STRING TO-DAY'S GAME AT POTCHEFSTROOM (By “Five-Eighths.”) The All Blacks should enjoy a little practice run at I’otchefstroom to-day, when they will meet a Western Transvaal fifteen. Western Transvaal have only recently come into the Currie Cup competition and gained the wooden spoon last sesaon, only winning one game out of the eight played. They scored only 51 points in the competition, while 12S were recorded against them. , It will be interesting to see how Sheen and Rushbrook will sliane on the three-quarter line, and how Hadley and Hore will perforin ns hookers. Ron. Stewart, the young Timarii giant, is being given a trial as rover, mid should prove an ideal man for the position. Stewart, is a magnificent speeiinen of manhood, standing 6ft. lin. in height and scaling 15st. lib. He was one of the best forwards on the 1924 tour in Great Britain, and many good judges in New Zealand tipped him to prove tlie star forward in South Africa this year. He is fast for his weight, and keeps going tirelessly. It is pleasing to see that Lucas will strip to-dav. The Aucklander is one of the. brainiest players in the team. Eric Snow, the 13st. 101 b. Nelson representative, will also be given a tryout to-day. , , , W. A. Strang, Hie youthful limaru five-eighths, will partner Nicholls on this line. This youngster has made good and is being given plenty to do.' Neil McGregor has apparently not recovered from the 'shoulder injury he received nt Kroonstndt Inst Wednesday, and Lance Johnson is nursing his braised shins, doubtless caused by Africa s hard playing fields. The New Zealand team should go well to-dav, as with the Brownlie brothers, Alley, Finlayson and Snow in the pack (here should be plenty of weight there.