ALL BLACK TEAM

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 13

ALL BLACK TEAM

*. PFayers For Training at Otaki SELECTION TO-MORROW The selection of players to undergo a week’s training at Otaki and from whom the All Black team to meet the touring South African Rugby team in the first Test at Wellington on August 14 will be chosen, will be made in Wellington to-morrow night, stated Mr. M. F. Nicholls, one of the New Zealand selectors, yesterday/ At first it was thought the selectors would view the Springbok-Taranaki match at New Plymouth to-morrow, but it has now been decided to remain in Wellington for the week-end to choose the team. The chosen players will undergo a week’s training at Otaki. beginning on August 7. The Wellington team to meet the to-morrow week' will be chosen on Sunday morning, said Mr. Nicholls, who is also the Wellington selector. The name of J. Vartan (Poneke) has been added to the list of players for training. STRONG SIDE CHOSEN Springboks to Play Taranaki By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, July 29. After a night journey, the Springboks arrived by special train from Hamilton this morning. The tourists were met by the Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., -chairman of the Taranaki Rugby Union. No casualties were reported as a result of yesterday’s game. Later in the morning, the new Rugby Park, which will have its first international match on Saturday, was inspected and the Springboks decided to train this afternoon. The visitors were impressed with the standard of Rugby seen in the twq~ games they have played, but they were not familiar with the conditions which existed at Hamilton. The prospects of a dry ground at New Plymouth are improving with sunshine and breeze. At noon the visitors were given an official welcome by the Rugby Union, in which the mayor, Mr. E. Gilmour, participated. Hotel accommodation in New Plymouth and nearby places is already fully taxed, even tents being requisitioned to cope with the expected record influx of visitors. A strong Springbok side has been selected to play Taranaki on Saturday. It is almost identical with that which played Auckland. The team is:— Full-back: Brand. Three-quarters: D. O. Williams, J. Bester, L. Babrow, F. C. Turner. Halves: T. A. Harris, D. Craven. Back row: M. M. Louw. Second row: W. E. Bastard, L. Strachan, M. A. Van den Berg, G. Van Reenan. Front row: P. Nel (captain), J. Lotz, H. Martin. The Taranaki team is:— Full-back: A. Collins. Three-quarters: C. Weeton, J. L. Sullivan, A. Hunter. Five-eighths: E. Smith, C. Brown. Half: L. Arnold. Back row: J. MeClenaghan. Middle row: C. O’Dowda, It. Clarke, J. Coull, A. Richards.

Front row: P. Murphy, G. Fowler, P. Fastier. Emergencies: A. Pepperell, C. Sangster, H. Benton. The Springboks undertook training on a fairly firm turf at Rugby Park, a number of players giving an impressive display of place-kicking. Nel said that on the tour so far they were impressed ■with the quality of the New Zealand forwards, but the backs as a whole were not as good as they expected. A weakness in the backs’ tackling had been noticeable. SHORTENING OF SPELLS Discussion in Hamilton By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, July 29: Following the playing of 35-minute spells in the Springboks’ match yesterday, there has been much discussion and some dissatisfaction evident over the granting of this limit, which was agreed upon by the captains of the respective teams. Crossman conceded the point to Nel. Reference to the difference in spells here and in South Africa was made at the official dinner last night, when Mr. P. W. Day said that in South Africa they play 35-minute spells and 40minute spells in Tests. The gate takings for the match were

future. £1843/12/-. The attendance was 15,053 apart from 2500 school children. SPECULATION IN SEATS By Telegraph '' ' Dunedin. July 29. Although the Rugby Union has discouraged speculation by allowing no one Io purchase more than three tickets for the Ranfurly Shield match on Saturday, opportunists are advertising for sale over 50 stand seats art prices ranging from 10/- to 30/-, an exorbitant assessment for tickets costing 3/4..