FINAL OBSERVATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 38, 13 August 1921, Page 5

FINAL OBSERVATIONS

WEATHER FAVOURS ALL BLACKS (II HLMUTH.) ; ;- (FROM OSS gPECIAL MPORTIR.)'. ■ DTJNEDIN, 12th August. , There is really not much more to say abont the ■ /Test match before it takes place. When all is said that can be said, .the issue: "Who will win?'.', still remains in doubt, and can only be settled-oh the field of play. By the time these final observations from Dunedin, the centre of the football world - at the "present moment, are in the hands of., most readers of The Post, 1 the result of the match will \ be known in Wellington. That is all that really matters. To say : who will win. before the game and to say who should have won after the game is quite futile. The question is, "Who did win?" otherwise, in the lugubrious phrase of the doleful * Prophet Jeremiah, "The words of the scribes are vain in the., streets" of Dunedin, "and in the places wh"ere men gather together." -Over the cup that cheers, no matter what it contains, one hears nothing . but, '.. "Springboks" and "All Blacks." Wednesday's match against Otago is fought over again, and "stoush" jnstified or-condemned. The Test is fought beforehand; usually, in favour of New Zealand. In sporting terms, as a matter/of fact, the odds are ■'.quite even. There never was such a doubtful thing in New Zealand football since Bedell-Sivwright's team met their downfall to the forerunners of the All ;Blacks at Athletic Park in 1904. Critics whofavour the All Blacks say, with Billy Wallace, that the provinces held South Africa forward, and New Zealand is-50 per cent.' better than the best provincial back team; therefore, New Zealand should win. The Springboks say »NewZealand will have to be at least 20 points better than the best • provincial team to beat them. So that is a large order.. THE WEATHER. .'The weather to-day, the eve of the match,'is wet, with the sort of drizzling rain that soaks turf beyond a fine morning to recover. The ground is sure to be heavy, and the weather probably.still wet. So much in favour ,of New, Zealand. But, on the other 1 hand, --the Springboks are quite used to wind, and rain and heavy grounds by now,, so far as the Western Province of South Africa is concerned, and it suits the bulk of the visitors. Capetown'is variable enough in its climate, and the visitors know what to do. The wet weather may, however, bring about a certain ' alteration in the Springboks' team which has not yet (Friday evening) been definitely picked. Zeller may givejlace to Yan^Heerden, and a lighter forward or, so be substituted - for the heavier men. TEAMS AND TRAINING. ..'.. , The New Zealand ieam; according to the latest information,. is' definitely what was originally picked, with the exception of Fogarty, who replaces M'Lean, injured in practice on Thursday. The methods of training of the-two teams have been slightly different. The ideal of the South Africans is physically perfect fitness, with the idea of sticking out what must inevitably be a gruelling match. The New Zealanders are fit enough, but they lack some of the finer point* of play that come from long teaming together. It is quite hopeless to expect in a week* to make of a heterogenoue collection of, players from all over the Dominion the perfect instrument of Rugby football the Air Blacks achieved after playing together for weeks and weeks. .In Billy Stead and Alec M!Dbnald,; two of the greatest of the old All Blacks, the team has had as good coaching as could be got in the Dominion, but crar-ming is 'more dangerous for Rugby Tests thar/for any written examination, for the pen is not mightier than the ball. It must be frankly admitted thafc a part of the price New' Zealand paid in the Great; War was the loss of five or/six years' football. The game has suffered, and one cannot swot up in a few weeks all the lessons of. five or six seasons' hard experience ' in the actual game. The coaches have, therefore, instilled first principles,- the * essence of sound football, rather than the tricks which are only useful as embroidery on a strong groundwork. •..-: GATHERING OF RUGBY CLANC There has been a great gathering of the old Rugby clan in Dunedin. To-day little groups of veteran players gather together, and as,they move down Princesstreet they grow like a snowball with the access of other old-timers rolling up for the match. There is a shaking of heads oveiv the good old "days,-as all men are, by nature, praisers of the past. The game will be watched by some very keen critics indeed. There is a general impression that the Springboks- are feeling the effects.of aiwe'ry strenuous tour^,and are showing the least little tendency to that irritable temperament characteristic of training too.severe,and too.long. .Old hands consider the visitors should let themselves go, a bit, and quote the wisdom of George, Dixon, the All Black manager in the triumphant tour, .who, when he saw certain symptoms of. overtraining in his men, gave them a spell on for a night or two, With the iriost i beneficial results. The New Zealanders appear to be taking things far less seriously that way, and are not^eschewing a moderate indulgences.in:'tHfe" 3hil(f6*( of refreshments and an occasional^ whiff of the, weed. ■■ ■■ ->- ■■■ ■ BIG GATE EXPECTED.I.'," A big gate may be expected for the game, and half as many will be watching it gratis from the hills all round. The stand accommodation is good, but thereis nothing like the old clay bank of the.,. Athletic. Park. As usual, the press are miserably treated, and the dozen seats in the covered stand are all taken by tlie two local papers. Visiting pressmen have to make- shift ;(j)n^any T ,old t ,ktnd bf table and form in the open. It will be a picnic if it rains. Whichever side (fins the Rugby drama is bound to grip the public more and more as it advances from the first act to the finahcurtain..