DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 29

DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE

ALL BLACKS HOLDING BACK

ORTHODOX PLAY

FEW MEN WITH CAPACITY

While anything may happen in today's Rugby Test between New Zealand and Scotland, it is difficult, to agree with the recently-expressed opinion of the London "News-Chron-icle" that the All Blacks have not yet fully revealed their hand in view of the forthcoming International matches. Too much, it would appear, was read into Mr. V. R. Meredith's remark that the tourists were "doing well enough." | A team which has won so many of its games by such small margins as have the AH Blacks ca.i have little up its sleeve. No side would keep its winning balance to within one or two points from choice. Moreover, the New* Zealanders, apart from some of their more recent matches, have played unconvincing football. And teams that play unconvincing Rugby do not usually have anything in hand. It is extremely unlikely that the All Blacks have been restraining themselves with the idea of producing something new in the way of tactics and form in the Tests. Even admitting this possibility, there could be no certainty that they could "turn them on" in these games. • There is an old sporting adage that he who stays his hand too* long frequently finds himself unable to produce the desired effect just when he wants too.

r No, we can take it for granted that the New Zealanders have been playing as well as they can, and as well as their opponents have permitted them. If they harboured any idea of surprising' the opposition in the international matches they would have attempted to exploit their plans in at -least one of the county fixtures.

Actually the international games may prove no harder than have some of those already played. It does not