EFFORT TO WIN

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 17, 21 July 1928, Page 11

EFFORT TO WIN

NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY (By "Drop-Kick.") When the eighteen players were announced for special training in view of the second Test with the South Africans, there was general satisfaction at tho inclusion of M. Nicholls. Once again, however, the vice-captain has been dropped, and his absence from the side will be a matter of great regret to many of those enthusiasts who had regained some tho confidence which had been lost by the result of the first Test. Although Nicholls has no doubt.been giving valuable service in the preparation of the players for the Test, it is hard to understand why ho is not good enough for a place on tho field of play in tho Tests. Keen judges of the game in South Africa considered that a big mistake was being mado in leaving Nicholls out of the team for the first Test, and there can be no doubt that he was missed, especially as ho is ranked as the best tactician in the wide. The fact that he is dropped again will make followers of tho game in New Zealand even more eager to, learn tho reason. Another player selected to train specially for the Test was 0. Rushbrook, and on tho form he ha- been showing it seonied that ho had really good prospects of inclusion in the side. But he, too, has been passed over, and in view of tho fact that Grenside is mentioned in the cabled report to-day as having an unsound knee, ifc is surprising to find that Rushbrook, evidently a litter man, will be on the bank. Surprise has already been expressed ;it the exlusion oi: Lucas. So far as the forwards arc concerned, the selection is as expected, but the fact that Stowart i.i boing played in the front row with the two hookers will account for some, criticism, Since the

first Test was played a good deal , of information has como to hand by mail, and it has thrown eonsindorable light on the scrummaging position. The arrangement signed by the New Zealand principals with ihe team made it clear that the Springboks wore being given a distinct advantage, in tlio matter of hooking the bull, and now that the position is known tho idea of putting an extra mm in the front row has something to commend it. Stewart, in going down as tho loose head, will give the New Zealand hookers a better chance of getting the ball, Hiiice. the leather must puss a man on each side before it is hooked. This change from the usual order will mean that Stewart will bo in a handy position to break in on; tho opposing backs with running so great a risk by actually taking up the wingforward position, ono which comes in for much opposition, and in which there is usually tho danger of penalty.. The ball, of course, will be put in the scrum by tho respective half-backs, and if the New Zealand hookers have any better measure of success Dalloy will have to bo slick in getting round again. He should be equal to this littlo extra work, howover. The New Zealand back division is the same as that which was fielded in the first Test, and there are only two changes in the forwards. On the other hand, South Africa's pack has been kept intact, but there is considerable alteration to the rearguard. The three-quarter line differs entirely from that fielded in the first Test, and there is a change at scrum half. The three-quarters are now N. S. Tod (Natal), J. van der Westhuizen (Western Province), J. A. Dobio (Transvaal), and G. Brand (Western Province), in place of Prinsloo, Duffy, S. Osier, and Slater. As scrumhalf D. Devine (Transvaal) replaces J. do Villers, and this change is regarded as an improvement. The South African forwards played as a sot for a week or two before the first Test. With the exception that Potgieter (Orange Free State) replaces Oliver, the Test pack, played in the A team in the series of trials at Durban. They are undoubtedly a solid working force, but if the New Zealand, forwards have now learnt to shove—and the need of a big push must have been realised long ago —there should not be the same marked superiority in forward play as in the first Test. And if the hookers have any better success through the new arrangement, the chances offering to the backs should enable them to show up in better light. Although the selection of the New Zealand team will come in for adverse criticism, the chosen players should be capable of a much better showing than at Durban. They will be all out to loosen South Africa's hold on the Rugby laurels. South Africa's team to-day is as follows :— Pull-back: S. C. Tindall. <• Three-quarters: N. S.Tod, J. van der Westhuizen, J. A; Dobie, and G. Brand. Halves: B. Osier and D. Devine. Eorwards: J; vhn Druten, T. L. Kruger, P. Mostert, G. Daheel,S. van Wyk, N. Preterms, P. J."Nel, and H. J. Potgieter. ;