ALL BLACKS' TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 101, 29 October 1924, Page 6

ALL BLACKS' TOUR

INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS

WILL ENGLAND HOLD NEW ZEALAND?

The first of the international matches in which the All Blacks are to take part is to he played next Saturday, when the elect of Ireland will oppose the touring team, which has not only -an unbeaten record to date, but also a record that compares very favourably with that of the 1905 New Zealand team. In the international' games the greatest interest is likely to be shown; in fact, the event at Twickenham on the 3rd January promises to attract a record crowd for Rugby. -Writing to the "Morning Post'1 last month, F. J. Sellicks dealt with the international prospects, as far as could be done in mid-September, and in. view of coming events that writer's ..views are.of particular interest to New Zealand. Generally speaking, only those players who are affected by the too early arrival of the New Zealanders have as yet begun to think about Rugby at all, though a few clubs in the provinces have brought -off some matches of minor importance, he states. As far as can be seen, however, the four home countries will depend largely on men ' already capped, though an exception is possible in Wales, where a new system of selection is to be tried, which can hardly -produce worse results than those of last season, THE GREAT MATCH. A year ago the English selectors were faced with the problem of manufacturing an almost entirely new back division, and history records how well that problem was solved. Practically all these men will again be available, and even if one or two fall out there are several capable reserves on hand. But as regards the pack the case is different. ■As most Rugby folk now realise, England's brilliant success since the. war has been mainly due to her forwards, who, very carefully selected in the first place, played together so long that they deevloped into a very formidable body indeed, strong at all points, fearless, and . determined. But, alas! Anno Domini conquers the stoutest heart in the end, and the chances are that three or four of those who have done England such splendid service may find international james too severe and too - fast for theroThere will bo tremendous competition for these vacancies, and there is no reason, why they should not be satisfactorily filled. If that can be done, England will again start first favourites for championship honours, and will be expected at least to hold the All Blacks in the great match at Twickenham on the 3rd January.' " SCOTLAND'S HIGH HOPES. Scotland, who have no New Zealanders to" fear, since, to ' the huge disgust of Scottish players generally, the tourists have no fixtures north of the Tweed, can look forward to another successful season. No important retirements have : been notified, . and the improvement in the national fifteen seen in the last year or two should be maintained. The Scottish authorities would please their constituents more and would probably achieve better results if they were not so fond of selecting players from abroad, to the neglect of tne home-mado article. Imperial preference is a splendid idea, but should not he applied to Rugby football. IRELAND'S STRENGTH. No country can look forward to the season with more confidence than Ireland. Irish Rugby has had to contend with so many severe handicaps that it is a wonder it has survived at all. But i amid all »the disappointments arid discouragements the game was carried on, and now, after some years of depression, Ireland looks like having a fine fifteen again. No country gave England such a fright as the Irishmen did last year at Dublin, and it was only the dour determination and experience of tho English pack that saved the day. Later in the season Ireland discovered some very promising young players, and into a very formidable proposition indeed. Unless one is greatly - mistaken, the Irish team will have a good deal to say in the forthcoming championship tourney. .' .'NEW ERA FOR WALES. These are dark days for Wales, what with the depredations of the professional agents and the apparently fixed resolve of the national side to play the wrong type of Rugby. Memory does not recall how many players have been tried for Wales during the last two seasons, but tho number must be very large, and the results just as discouraging. Several men have been given caps who were obviously quite outclassed, and when that happens repeatedly it is clear that there must be something seriously wrong with the method of selection. That, at any rate, has been changed, and let us hope there will also be a change in the tactics of the team and a return to the style of play which for years made Wales to all intents and purposes invincible. POSITION OF FRANCE. French Rugby is a law unto itself in more ways than one, and little will be known of it for some time yet. There is no reason-to suppose, however, that it will be very different from that of the .last few. years, more's ihe pity! As..the.best French people know very well, much of their development has been on the; wrong lines, and they have a lot to learn before they achieve the height, of their ambition, the international ' championship They must, for example, revise their whole system of attack; and must learn to make a great deal more use than they do at present of tho stand-off half. .The French have always frankly admitted that they could not understand M. Davies, a statement which contained even more truth than they thought it did.