BIG RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 17766, 14 September 1921, Page 7

BIG RUGBY

ALL BLACKS VEEY FIT. FORECAST. OF SELECTION. OTAGO’S CHANCE FOR EANFURLY SHIELD. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 14. In view of criticisms by the_ manager of the Springboks on the travelling arrangements for tho Nelson match fhe New Zealand Union has called on the Nelson Union tor an explanation. In reply to a resolution by the Canterbury Union, condemning tho New Zealand Union’s handling of the match v. New South Wales, at Christ church, the latter has asked Canterbury to give details of the allegations. The trainer of the All Blacks is highly pleased with the condition of' the men, and reckons that the team for Saturday will be the best New Zealand has put in the field. If the Africans can beat them ho considers that they can beat anyone. Mr Griffiths (tho Wellington representative on the Selection Commit tee) states that tho team is practically now, but will not be announced till Friday afternoon.

A forecast of tho selection by one authority ■ is : Backs-—Kingston, Steele, Ford, and possibly Siddells as third threequarter, If worsen and Fea, Roberts; forwards—Fogaity, Duncan, Moffitt, M'Lean, Richardson) Fletcher, with Beilis or Donald as wing. Tho local union has agreed to make Wednesday’s match v. Auckland, and also the Otago match a Ranfnrly Shield contest, subject to tho approval of the New Zealand Union.

ALL BLACKS v. WELLINGTON B. Ox lust Saturday’s curtain-raiser at Athletic Park the ‘ Dominion ’ says : It was evident from the commencement that several of the All Blacks were not prepared to take too many risks, but there were notable exceptions. The most outstanding of these was the display given by Fea, of Otago, on whose play attention was most closely riveted, and/ there is no doubt in tho minds of the spectators that, if fit and well, ho will bif found among I he_ fifteen elect on Saturday next. It was noticeable, 100. that he and Roberts combined very well. The inclusion of Siddells as wing-three-quarter in the All Black side was a welcome surprise to those who think that this player would do hotter in the threequarter lino than at full-back. His display on Saturday holds out interesting possp bilities, and' the try be scored was the result of a clever and" sensational run. Upon retiring at half-time to prepare for the, shield match he was given a flattering reception by the crowd. The ono really sensational incident of the match was Fletcher’s try. Picking up the leather about mid-field, ha ran straight for the touchline, fending off several would-be ladders with his hands. Besides being an excellent forward, he showed that ho could very ably fill the position of second fire-eighth. M‘Lean was outstanding aiuopg a, pack of forwards who all showed tine form.

The ‘ Times ’ says: Wellintgou commenced with only eleven men, so that little interest could actually be taken in the game as a match. The All Blacks had it all their own way. There wore no outstanding features in the play, and one did not get an opportunity of assessing_ the value of the game played by individual players. The spectators were candid in expressing their disappointment at not sceingum'interesting match, as they expected. Some amusement was caused by Fletcher, who ran from halfway and scored a try. Five tacklers came at him, making very poor attempts to bring him down, but ho feuded them off easily. Roberts made openings from the scrum that gave opportunities for the backs to get going, but they were never properly extended, and, beyond giving the possibles for tho test match a practice game, the match had little of interest to tho onlookers.

STRICT TRAINING OPERATIONS. ALL LIGHTS OUT AT 9 P.M. The A]l Blacks in camp at Day's Bay rise at 7 a.m., go through physical exercises, have a swim in the bay, and are nibbed down and massaged before breakfast, at 8 o’clock. The forenoon is spent in football training, with particular regard to combined work, scrummaging, and tactics generally. The boys are massaged again before lunch. In the afternoon there is a variety of outdoor work, comprising walking, cricket, field games—in fact, anything that will secure pliability and elasticity of the muscles. All lights must bo extinguished by 9 p.m. There have been two cricket matches between represen.tativea of the North and South Island among the trainees. Honors so far rest with*the South Islanders, who have won one cricket match and drawn one. Socially the party is being catered_ for by the residents of the bay districts. There was a very pleasant dance in the pavilion on Saturday nigli,L which was the only occasion when the “lights out” rule was departed from. Their only other entertainment will bo a boxing evening in the Rona Bay Hall to-night.