TO-MORROW’S TEST MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1930, Page 7

TO-MORROW’S TEST MATCH

TEAMS' FINAL TRAINING

N.Z.’s CHANCES FAVOURED

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AUCKLAND, July 24

The British team travelled, from Rotorua to Auckland to-day, being greeted at wayside stations with much interest, many tokens of good luck, and many predictions of defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday. When nearing Auckland, those who are playing on Saturday changed into football togs in their carriage, a process that in a swaying train is not without its difficulties and embarrassments, and on arrival were driven straight to the ground for light practice to work off their stiffness. The British have taken their preparations for Saturday’s match very seriously, and will be much nearer concert pitch than they were last Saturday. Some stiff road work was done before breakfast this morning, but to-morrow will probably be spent in an almost complete rest. The British realise that their prospects of success depend much on their hooking, and on Poole’s success behind the scrum. At practice, Poole and Spong have gone well together, but in match play it may be a different matter. Spong’s thumb, though mended, may give" him trouble if he suffers a knock, and it is still heavily plastered. The New Zealand team, like its opponents. Will have a quiet day to-mor-row. At present, its composition is not definite, but. it seems almost certain that McLean -will replace Stewart, who has a shoulder injury sustained last Saturday. The irony of the situation is that Stewart played last Saturday to demonstrate that despite a split ear sustained in an earlier match, he -was quite fit for the test. The luck was against him, however, as in trying to demonstrate his soundness he went down heavily, and has had a large lump on his shoulder, though massage during the week has reduced its size.

Batty appears to be sure of his place, though outside the front rankers, he will be the lightest man in the pack. McLean in his togs is just 14 stone.

Strang is reported to have shown excellent form in practices, handling crisply and running very strongly. It appears almost certain that he will go in. Olliver is being dropped, while Nicholls, Cooke, and Lucas will all go put one place. The New Zealanders have been playing a considerable amount of golf, as well as practising every morning, but their golf is a quality as to suggest that in this branch of sport they would have little chance with the British team. Bridge is another favourite diversion with the All Blacks.

ALL BLACKS TEAM. .

AUCKLAND, July 24.

The All Black team for the third test was chosen to-night as follows: — Full-back, Nepia (East Coast); threequarters, Hart (Canterbury), Cooke (Wellington), Lucas (Auckland); five-eighths, M. Nicholls (Wellington), Strang (South Canterbury); half-back, Corner (Auckland); wingforward, Porter (Wellington); hofikers, Cottrell (Canterbury), Hore (Otago): lock, Steere (Hawke’s Bay); supports, McWilliams (Auckland), Hazlett (Southland); back row, Batty (Auckland), McLean (Wellington).

EXCITEMENT JN AUCKLAND.

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AUCKLAND, July 25.

Crowds have already commenced to flock to the city for the third Rugby test to-morrow, and there is talk of all night vigils at Eden Park gates. It is a certainty that the first trams and ferries at daybreak will take full loads of passengers, although the match does not start before 2.30 p.m. Both sides are confident and in splendid physical fettle. Stewart and Finlayson 'will be missed by the All Blacks on the line ’out, but the transfer of Lucas to the wing is bound to strengthen the team at the vital position of centre where Cooke will field, Lucas also must strengthen the left wing, where Olliver was a weakness. Auckland fans are looking forward to the advent of Spong, of whom G. W. Nicholson (the Auckland and N.Z. selector) says is the best player he has ever seen.

SEDDON SHIELD TEAM

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MOTUEKA, July 25.

The West Coast Seddon Shield team will be as follows:—King: Jamieson, Fong, Martyn; Kennedy, Houston; Davidson; Dennehy; Ferguson, Rathbun, Freitas, Wilson, Hughes, C. Pfahlert, Bell. Reserves: Pfahlert, King, Bunt, backs; M. and B. Kelly, forwards.