Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JUNE 19th., 1930. SATURDAY’S TEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JUNE 19th., 1930. SATURDAY’S TEST

T’HE great topic of discussion in all parts of the 'Dominion of late, has been the Homeland’s chances of defeating New Zealand in the first test match, at Dunedin. It would be a notable triumph for Britain to win two tests, cricket and Rugby, in the one week, and were she to accomplish the task, congratulations would be general. Her cricket win was, perhaps, expected, but it will be a surprise to most New Zealanders, if the All Blacks lose on Saturday. The team selected to uphold the Dominion’s prestige is announced and it must be admitted to be a strong combination of experience and skill. The British team will face a stiff proposition, and are not really expected to repeat against the All Blacks, the displays made against weaker opponents. The New Zealand selections will not please all national Rugby enthusiasts. Most of the chosen are “veterans,” having been included in the 1924 team that visited Britain or the 1928 combination that met the Springboks' in South Africa. Only five of the selected, ,Hart, Oliver, Cottrell, Steere, and Batty are “new” players, and even of these, Cottrell and Steere went to Australia with the New Zealand team in 1929. Doubts exist in some quarters whether the “veterans” are as good as they were, and whether reputation rather than present-day skill has won for them Saturday’s honour. Little notice need be taken of the match, yesterday, at Oamaru, as it is doubtful if the All Blacks took that fixture very seriously, and until the contrary is proved, it must be accepted that the “old brigade more than held their own with their younger competitors, in the trial matches.

Whether New Zealand wins or loses the first test, it would be for the benefit of Rugby generally, if the selectors gave the newer players opportunities to acquire firsthand experience of international matches. This would be preparation for a useful future harvest and would also stimulate enthusiasm among the younger men. If the All Blacks arc defeated on Saturday, there will be a general demand for changes in the N.Z. side for the second test, but places should be found for some of the younger players in the remaining tests, whatever the result at Dunedin. If too much value is placed on winning, the detrimental effect on Rugby as a sport needs no stressing. Already there are danger signals that should not be disregarded. When players confine their interest in the game to their own prospects of All Black honours, or when allegiance to any particular Province is temporary, it is for the authorities to take suitable action, |and certainly,, to refrain from encouraging such tactics. Meanwhile, H is to be hoped that Saturday’s ! fest will be fought in honourable ■ fashion, and that keenness to win will not mar the play from the view of sportsmanship. It would maintain public interest in the tests to follow if Britain won at Dunedin, and for that reason, as well as for their behaviour since their arrival in the Dominion, many will wish the visitors success. .