THE ALL-BLACKS

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9722, 4 June 1924, Page 5

THE ALL-BLACKS

FINAL SELECTIONS TO COM-

PLETE TEAM

WELLINGTON June 3. Tho following thirteen players have been selected to complete the All Black Rugby team:— l Robilliard (Canterbury). Brown (Taranaki). Svenson (Wellington),, Badeley (Auckland). .McGregor (Canterbury). Paewai (Hawke’s ’Bay). Mill (Hawke’s Bay). Dailey (Canterbury). Munro (Otago). Quentin Donald (Wairarapa). Masters (Canterbury). Guppies (Bay of Plenty). West (Taranaki). —P.A.

FINAL ALL-BLACK TRIAL.

GROUND INCHES DEEP IN MUD

PROBABLES BEAT POSSIBLES,

WELLINGTON June 3. The final trial game to-day between the Possibles and Probables was an unfair test owing to the wretched contditions. The ground was inches deep in mud in places, and heavy rain and cold wind made their presence felt throughout the match. Throughout the match there was very little organised play, and as conditions became worse the game developed into a scramble. Hart replaced Svenson, who is suffering from a bad shoulder. Harris at full-back was not in the same class as' Nepia,-" who again played a great game, displaying more enterprise than in the previous trials. Bailey and Elvey were the best of the wings, although Robilliard shaped more promisingly than .on Saturday. Brown played a good game at centre, and Badeley was the best fiveeighths, with McGregor also showing up well. Perry did a lot of defensive work. . Paewai was injured at halftime and was replaced by Cook. There was very little between Nicholls anil Dailey. The respective halves had to do a lot of heavy work. Williams, O’Regan, Pringle and Donald were the best of the Possible forwards, with Knight, Munro, Jacob and West showing up well in the Probables’ vanguard. The Possibles kicked off and were, soon in attack. From a scrum Nicholls sent McGregor away,and he passed on the blind =rde to Hart, who missed the ball. McGregor snapped up the ball, however, and scored a nice try. Nepia converted with a great kick. Probables 5, Possibles 0. After a rally by the Possibles, the Probable forwards led by West, Jacob and Knight, carried the ball over the half-way line again, and fine passing between Paewai, Bailey, and Brown saw the last-named score near tho corner. Nepia again converted. Probables 10, Possibles 0. The Possibles kept their opponents on the defence for a spell after the kick off, and from a scrum near the line, Badeley received the ball and going round the blind side, passed to Robilliard, who scored, O’Regan kicking a goal. Probables 10, Possibles o. Shortly afterwards the Possible forwards swept down the field in great style and Turpin finished ,a magnificent bit of play by scoring. O Regan’s kick failed. Probables 10, I ossibles S-Half-time sounded soon afterwards. The ground was in a had state when play was resumed. The Whites, with the wind and rain at their backs, were soon pressing hard. From a serum near the line, McGregor divea, but missed the line by inches. Dailey cleared with a good kick,. and play swung back to neutral territory. A rush by West, Knight anti Jacob brought play back again, and after a series of loose scrambles, Knight scored. Nepia failed with the kick. Probables 13, Possibles 8. TEen came a long period of disorganised iiD and down play, devoid or interest and monotonous. At this stage the backs had stopped trying to pass the ball and were content to speculate. A forward rush by the Probables brought the ball near their opponents’ line, where. Bailey marked an attempt to clear, and kicked a o-ood goal. Probables 16. Possibles 8. '".The Possibles went near to scoring ao-ain just on time when Cook followed up a short punt but lost possession near the line. The game ended without further incident. , Mr J. S. King was referee.—l .A.

AWFUL WEATHER CONDITIONS

NO TEST FOR BACK PLAY,

NEPIA’S GREAT PERFORMANCE.

WELLINGTON 1 , June 2

The last trial match in connection with the selection of the New Zealand, Rugby football team that is to leave soon for England was played here to-day in vicioiis weather. 'A: bitter south wind with showers of cold rain drove over the ground. The oreen grass was churned into the mud and a few thousands of the spectators who were not under (coyer spent an uncomfortable couple oxhours. The preliminary match was abandoned. The conditions were altogether disappointing not only to_ the public, hut to the selectors as well, for it was almost impossible tc judge, back play under such conditions as existed. The hall became so slippery that accurate passing was out of the question. It was a day for “Soccer, 1 ’ not for “Rugger.” Once again Nepia, the Maori fuiiback, was the hero of the afternoon. To begin with, he kicked a thrilling goal from the first try, the kick being against a strong cross wind from a. difficult angle at the 25 yards flag. Soon afterwards he stopped a dangerous looking rush, and improved the position by running and dodging through the opposing backs and most of the forwards. Often lie followed Ins own punting and put all his men on Side, and once when the hall went well over the enemy line, he Vent for a try, hut did uot- get there in time. On. another* occasion he saved by taking a liigh-kicked hall, then dodged a tackier, side-stepped two or three others, and carried the ball well up the field, after which he was able to pass to one of his own men. This brilliant hit of work drew •enthusisastic cheers from all parts of the field. Nepia is already a great favorite with the crowd and there is no doubt that he will he a popular player in England. , , , t» Paewai, tli£ other Hawke s Bay Maori, who was given another chance in to-day’s match, was playing very well till just before half-time he had the misfortune to dislocate liis shoulder. He was evidently in considerable pain and a doctor and two first aid nurses left the stand to attend to his injury. Cocke, the Auckland five-eighths, took liis place, and coming on fresh After the others lmd had a good-gruel-ling in the mud, lie soon became prominent owing to hi? speed and his fast following up. _ . H. E. Niche!ls made lc\ appearance in to-day’s match aim -.laved well, occasionally opening up. J : game under the difficult conditions, a a manner such as might have led to scores on a dry ground. The general opinion is that he is ‘a much better player than his brother, wbo _ many think should not have been in the first selection. It was not a day in which the backs as a whole could show to advantage. The forwards generally played hard from start to finish, and, considering the state of the ground, the dribbling rushes were fast.—-Special. _•