FIFTEEN FOR TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 19891, 13 June 1928, Page 5

FIFTEEN FOR TO-DAY

TWO OTAGO PLAYERS INCLUDED [By n.uiK Blue.] From a local point of view the interesting feature of the All Black side to meet Orange Free State (country) at Kroonstadt-to-day is that the two Otago representatives will play. No doubt many wondered why Here had not had a game in the first four matches, but private information received in 'Dunedin is that he had rather a rough passage on the boat, the effects of the dreaded mal do iner causing him not to be in condition for inclusion in the teams for the early games of the tour. Evidently he is quite fit again, and it will be interesting to see how lie shapes. Hore is one of the two youngest members. of the team, being only twenty years of age, but, as he showed in

club football last year, in the northern tour of the Otago team, and in the All Black trials, lie uses every ounce ol lus thirteen stone in the serum. As a matter of fact, he is probably a belter scrummager than some ol the heavier North Island forwards. In the two games in which lie iias already played Lindsay has acted as lull-back, but in to-day’s match lie is playing as centre, the position for which lie was originally picked. Lindsay’s rugged style ol.play should suit the African conditions, and it would not be surprising it he ultimately turns out to be the “ Vi allacc ” of the 1928 All Blacks.

'there seems to be a good deal in the contention of many enthusiasts that the disappointing display of the All Blacks so far is due to the lact that in the opening games they were not as lit as they might have been,, lor private advices disclose that the touch of ptomaine poisoning which some oi the members had in Tasmania during tho voyage was pretty severe. 1. H. Harvey, who has played only once in the opening game, is said to have lost 251 hin weight. On top of this handicap Harvey hurt his knee in the first match. Most likely, however, the burly Wairarapa lock will bo quite all right before tho test matches arrive. _ Ha I’ve v appears to be an unlucky individual, as it will be remembered tiuit iio contracted tousilitis in England during the 1924 tour, that preventing him from taking part in more seven games on the whole tour. M'Gregor, the Canterbury five-eighth, is reported to have lost about a stone before the team left Australia. Ho played in tho opening game, but not in tho three after that. However, he is included in to-day’s team, so he is evidently fit and well again. The order in which the A!! Black forwards have been cabled to-day suggests that tho 2-3-2 scrum formation is to be -played. Scrimshaw’s name comes first, and it is probable, that he will be winger. In an account of the first and second matches sent 1.0 tho ‘New Zealand Sportsman,’ Wellington, Scrimshaw’s play is _ highly praised by a. South African critic, who points out that on many occasions he frustrated tho African backs| attempts to get going. Here and Swam are evidently to• be the hookers, and the middle row looks likely to ho Maurice Brownlie, Aliev (lock), and M'Williams, with Ward and Hazlett In the back row.

It is also interesting to learn from the report quoted above that _ the 1 Cape ‘Argus ’ warns South Africans not to overrate their successes so far as the visitors are full of resource, versatility, and wonderful staying power.