The All Blacks— LEADERS CALL FOR AN ALL OUT EFFORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1949, Page 5

The All Blacks— LEADERS CALL FOR AN ALL OUT EFFORT

PRETORIA, August 16 (Rec. 11 a.m.). —Before the All Blacks left Johannesburg, the .scene of their second test defeat, Mr J. H. Parker (manager) and F. R. Allen (captain), in a team talk, called for an all-out effort in the remaining matches. “We have our backs to the wall. I have seen All Black teams in that position before and yet win through. So let us emulate them,” said Mr Parker. “The 1928 side had to win the last test to square the rubber and did so. We have two matches to win. If you can accomplish that, you will finish the tour with flying colotu's. Difficult Conditions “Only those with an intimate knowledge of a country such as this, with its tiring travel, its varying altitudes and hot climate, can appreciate the strange fluctuations in form of any travelling team. We know that, if the conditions approximate anything like those to which we are accustomed, we can beat the Springboks. So let us set our minds more than ever to the task ahead.” The team realises that people at home must be bitterly disappointed that their cherished hopes have not been realised. This disappointment, has been tempered by a number of encouraging messages, notably from Mr A. St C. Belcher, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and by the fact that the team’s _ tour has been an outstanding financial success and has also helped to raise the standard of Rugby in South Africa.

Injured Players R. W. H. Scott’s injured ankle is mending well, but it is expected that he will stand down for a couple of games. After the Northern Transvaal match, it was found that N. H. Black was suffering from a back injury which has actually troubled him for the greater part of the tour. He has since been receiving medical attention.

Black and K. A. Gudsell are .expected to rejoin the team practices within a week. Both looked likely test candidates, but these halts to their training may prejudice their prospects. The Combined Northern Universities’ team to meet the All Blacks tomorrow is: i

Full-back: Oberholzer. Three-quarters: Leeb, Stewart, Brink, Lawton. ' Halves: Basson, Musto. Front row: Bekker, Lubbe, Odendalj. Middle row: Macdonald, Dinkelmann, Steinhobel, Botha. . Back row:, Small. Stewart, Brink, Bekker, and Dinkelmann.have already played against the All Blacks,