TEST PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 12

TEST PROSPECTS

Fine at Auckland WELL-MATCHED PACKS Experience Versus Speed Dominion Special Service. Auckland, July 25. The stage is now set for the third Test match between Britain and New Zealand at Eden Park to-morrow. The weather has been unsettled, but shows signs of improvement, and if no more rain falls, the ground will be in good order. If the day is fine an attendance of anything up to forty thousand is expected. Already the hotels are crowded, visitors from all parts of New Zealand being in the city. The* teams for to-morrow are as follow:— NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: G. Nepia (East Coast). Three-quarters : tt. F. Hart (Canterbury), A. E. Cooke (Wellington), F. W. Lucas (Auckland). Five-eighths: W. A. Strang (South Canterbury), X M. F. Nicholls (Wellington). Half-back: M. Corner (Auckland). Wing-forward: C. G. Porter, captain (Wellington). Hookers: A. I. Cottrell (Canterbury), J. Here (Otago). Lock: E. R. G. Steere (Hawke’s Bay). Sides: R. G. McWilliams (Auckland), W. E. Hazlett (Southland). Back Row: W. Batty (Auckland), H. F. McLean (Wellington). BRITAIN. Full-back: « J. Bassett. Three-quarters: J. C. Morley, C. D. Aarvold, H. M. Bowcott, J. C. Reeve. Half-backs: R, S. Spong, N. Poole. Forwards: j H. Rew, D. Parker, H. O’Neill, B. H. ' Black, J. L. Farrell, J. Hodgson, ! G. R. Beamish, Ivor Jones. , Mr. S. Hollander, of Christchurch, i who refereed the first two tests, will i again be in control of the match. < ’ New Zealand Selection. > . 1 Although there were 18 players orig- 1 inally chosen to assemble in Auckland for the All Black team, there were only -, 16 in the end from which the selectors J could make their choice. Finlayson (North Auckland) is still in hospital, and is not available for the match between the visitors and North Auckland at Whangarei on Wednesday. Stewart is suffering from an injured shoulder. The final selection, therefore, came < down to the omission of one back, and 1 the dropping of Oliver (Wellington) ; does-not occasion any surprise, as it has been stated that this three-quarter ■ in the two other Tests hardly came up | to expectations. With Stewart unfit there was no for- < ward position to be filled, but there was i a great deal of speculation as to the j selectors’ final decision in packing the j scrum. i

Hazlett, who usually plays back-row forward, has been placed on the side of the scrum opposite McWilliams, and McLean and Batty will fill the back row. British Pack. The positions in -Britain’s front row are the same as those which played in the first two Tests, and the New Zealand hookers have not been changed since the Christchurch game. In the scrums there should be a great duel between the hookers, and if weight is coming in from the back of the New Zealand scrum, as it should do, the All Blacks should get their fair share of the ball, for Porter has spent much time this week in coaching his hookers. Although the All Black pack is lighter now that Stewart and Finlayson have had to stand down, the scrum is evenly balanced. s _ ■ Speed and Experience. The British backs are much faster all round than those who will turn out for New Zealand, but all the All Black back line are too old in the head to be caught out of position or in possession. Corner and Strang at practice have revealed themselves as a fast pair and they should combine well. Nicholls and Cooke have perfect understanding of each other’s play, for 'they have been associated in many an All Black triumph when playing in the positions they will take to-morrow. Lueas and Cooke know each other’s style perfectly, and Hart on the other wing is quite a dazzling player. There should be some brilliant and effective back attacks by New Zealand. .

BROADCAST PREVENTED Rugby Union’s Attitude By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, July 25. Although the New Zealand Rugby Union is agreeable, the Canterbury Rugby Union will not allow 3YA to broadcast a description of the third Test match, to bo played at Auckland to-morrow. The officials of the union are reticent as to their reasons for their action, but they state that it is in accordance with the principle adopted early in the year. The description of the match will be broadcast by IYA and 2YA.