OUR FOOTBALLERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 154, 30 June 1926, Page 11

OUR FOOTBALLERS

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

GREAT KECEPTION ASSURED,

(From Oar Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, 24th Juno,

Great preparations .ire being made for the visit of the All Blacks. They are assured of a wonderful welcome, which will include a monster civic reception to the team at the Town Hall.

On Saturday at the University Oval, the four Rugby Union trial teams will play and all the grade competitions will be suspended. From the four selected fifteens a great side can be selected to meet the New Zealand giants on 10th July, in tho first Test, at the Agricultural Ground. The first fifteen, as selected, is "not necessarily the team that will take the field against the All Blacks. Members of the other teams will have their chance in these trials to win their way into the big team. No doubt, the selected first fifteen contains the bulk of players who will finally be chosen as the State side, but it is anticipated that some .who now figure in the third and fourth teams will force their way into the final selection.

Very keen disappointment has, says a writer in tho "Sun," been felt in Manly at the non-inclusion of Louden in the first team, as the outstanding ability of this player has been univec ■■ sally commented upon in every club game he h,as played in this season. "One thing is certain," he says, "the eight selected forwards of New South Wales will need to be grim tacklers. Players, backs and forwards, can be divided into two classes—tacklers and grabbers—the former fly at their man and ground him with a hard low tackle—tlie grabbers seldom if ever bring off a good tackle, but clutch at their opponent's neck or jersey—this sort of player may be a handicap to the side when up against the big men of New Zealand. Our inside backs, Lawton and Wallace, have not shown special tackling ability, and it is to be hoped that this phase of their play will be strengthened when they take the field against the All Blacks. The strength of the Union five-eighths will bo recognised when it is seen that a player of W. B. Sheehan's ability is placed in the third fifteen. There is a keen fight going on for the break-away positions. Ivcs, Rigney, Hurrell, and Louden are the most likely, although Kimber may yet win a place. Of this lot, Ives and Louden are the most impressive, and if they, produce club form in the trials, they will no doubt gain the selection. The half-back position also is very open, and although Meagher is first favourite at present Mingay, Pratt, and .Duncan aro so hot on his heels that tho selection of any of these would not cause surprise."