BIG RUGBY TEST TO-DAY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 75, 21 December 1935, Page 11

BIG RUGBY TEST TO-DAY

All Blacks Should Take Game From Wales HOPE FOR DRY GROUND Scrum Work May Bring Surprises By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright London, December 19. Because Wales is the only one of the Home countries ever to defeat a New Zealand side, more general interest is being taken in Saturday's Rugby match at Cardiff than in the Tests against Scotland and Ireland. The match is being described as “rubber game No. 3.” Interest throughout Wales is at fever heat, and Welshmen are hopeful that their champions will repeat the 1905 performance. The chances slightly favour New Zealand. ns combination, backing up, covering work, and defence should carry Manchester’s team to victory. New Zealand are hoping for a dry ground and a fine day. and there is not tbe slightest doubt that they will do better under dry conditions. Again everything will depend on tbe forwards winning the ball from the scrums and loose rucks, where they were able to do it against the strong Scottish and Irish packs. Reshuffling the Backs. It is now possible that the whole of the New Zealand back line will be reshuffled, as there is even less chance of Caughey being fit. The three-quar-ters may be Ball and Hart on the wings and Mitchell at centre, with Oliver at second five-eighth and Griffiths nt first five-eighth. Snow fell at Cardiff and the ground is thickly covered with straw. Bad weather is indicated, lessening the tourists’ chances. There is no reason why New Zealand should not win on Saturday, especially as the Welsh forwards are not regarded as of the same standard as the Irish vanguard. The tourists are desperately keen to win the game, and tbe men will probably play above themselves. The Welsh selection is iu the nature of a gamble. There are rumours that WoollA- and Jones, and Tarr, the .hooker, may not stand up to a hard game on account of injuries. One report is that Woolier and Jones just managed to last out the university game. Jones may be disturbed by sound tackling at the beginning. He is a player of undoubted brilliance, though he did not greatly impress the tourists in the Cambridge University match. He will have a good partner in Tanner, who will be able to give swift and sure service from the base of the scrums, Tanner’s selection was a foregone conclusion, though many were of the opinion that his club partner Davies should have been preferred to Jones. Woolier should be at home on the wing. He is the fastest man in the team, and at present is playing with great dash. If Davey plays as well as at Swansea Wales may win. It will be surprising, however, if Davey is allowed the same liberty on Saturday. New Zealand’s team will not be definitely known until Saturday. Even if the side is announced on Friday there may be last-minute changes. Caughey is still doubtful, and Dalton is suffering from a slight log injury. The inclusion of Tindill might not weaken the team. He is now playing much more confidently and his tackling has improved. The manager, Mr. V. R. Meredith, stated that the team at the moment is in the lap of the gods. During training operations at Porthcawl special attention was paid to scrummaging, and New Zealand may surprise Wales with one or two tricks which they have been saving up for the occasion The tourists will make every effort to gain an early lead, following the tactics which were so successful against Ireland