THE SPRINBGOKS

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 4

THE SPRINBGOKS

ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON LOTH TO DISCUSS TEST PROSPECTS TARANAKI CAPTAIN'S STATEMENTS DEPRECATED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 5. A large crowd at the W elhngton railway station to-day enthusiastically greeted the Springboks. The croud pressed towards, the edge °: the P form as the tram drew in. and it was necessary to form a lane tor the party when it alighted. The visitors left immediately for their hotel after each one had spoken briefly into the microphone. At 5.30 they were given an official welcome by lb 6 Wellington Rugby Union. The manager (Mr P. Day)> in an interview, was loath to discuss the prospects of the team in tne tests. “We are not in the habit of boosting ourselves,” he said, “ although, of course, we are going to play to win.” He deprecated such statements as that made by J. L. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, to the effect that it was doubtful whether the Africans on their present form would beat the All Blacks. “ It is not in the best interests of the game for side to make statements of that sort,” Mr Day said. Sullivan is young, I suppose, and will learn better.” NEW ZEALAND GAMES HARD. The team had found its New Zealand games hard, in fact Mr Day continued. The opposition was much stronger than in Australia. They were beaten by New South Wales because the team had had no opportunity in the preceding matches to test its strength against real opposition, in New Zealand the games were hard and the test was going to he harder than them all. It was more essentialthan ever for the men to look after themselves. Du Toit would not be fit lor some time yet. Broodryk and “ Fanio ” Louw were improving, while Watt had no ill-effects after his gam© on Wednesday. ' , To-night the visitors were the guests of tho Wellington Boxing Association at the Town Hall. “ While we are very grateful tor your hospitality, 1 would like to point out that these receptions aro becoming far too many for us to entertain,” said Mr Day, replying to an address of welcome to-night at the official welcome of the Wellington Rugby Union. “The men have to play football, and it .is necessary for them to do a. certain amount of training. Some of them are not too fit yet. However, I must thank you again for your friendship and hospitality. We had a drastic time in Australia, and so far a pretty rough time in New Zealand. We have yet to play 13 or 14 games in this country, which does not leave us much time to ourselves. We hope you will not be disappointed with the game we hope to play—a gentleman’s and a sporting game.” TEAM TO PLAY WELLINGTON The following is the Springbok team to play Wellington;—Brand (captain). Turner, Williams, Hofmeyr, White, Van Dei- Vyver, De Villiers; front row—S. C. Louw, Lotz, Jennings; middle row—Van Reenan, Van Der Berg, Bergh, Strachan; back row. Watt. FIRST TEST CAUGHEY HOT AVAILABLE (Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 5. The well-known All Black centre three-quarter, T. H.. C. Caughey, who was a member of the 1935 New Zealand team which toured Great Britain, will not be available, for the first test match against the Springboks at Wellington. Caughey advised Mr G. Nicholson, the Auckland member of tho New Zealand Selection Committee, to this effect to-day. He did not state tho reasons for his decision, but it iuay be presumed that, in view of his having been out of the game for the greater part of this season, he considered he could not reach his best form in time for tho match. It is understood that Caughey will be available for selection for tho second and third tests, to he played at Christchurch and Auckland 011 September 4 and 25 respectively.