SPRINGBOKS TRAIN

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1937, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS TRAIN

CONFIDENT OF A WIN In First Test l Per Press Association]. MASTERTON, August 10. The Springboks’ team for the First e Test match will be selected in Master- '• ton, after a final practice on Thursf day morning, and will be announced s in Wellington on Saturday morning. The African players are greatly en--1 joying their rest in Master!on, and " are in the best of spirits. They are keenly anticipating the contest, with " New Zealand on Saturday, and. though little is said in public on the 3 subject, it is gathered that they are - quietly confident of the result. 3 Widespread interest was centred ■ in the training methods of the visi--1 tors when they turned out at the MeJ morial Park this afternoon, and they attracted an attendance of about 2000. All of the members of the touring party assembled for training, • which was more or less of a light nature, designed for relaxation of the 1 muscles, and to keep the eyes, hands, and feet keyed up to concert pitch. INJURED MEN BETTER. There are only three men now on the injured list, namely, A. D. Lawton, J. A. Broodryk, and B. Du Toit. They all trained to-day, and it is thought that Lawton and Broodryk will be fit to play again in a week or ten days. Du Toit, who had small bones in the lower spine broken in the match against New South Wales, has made remarkable progress, and he will soon be in full training. FORWARDS IMPRESS ONLOOKERS. One of the most impressive features of the practice was the work of the forwards, who were headed by their skipper, Nel. They indulged for some time in close passing rushes, in which ' they made short dashes in close formation, with the ball handed, rather than passed, from player to player. They showed amazing speed and accuracy in handling the ball, and agil- ' ity in coming round behind the man 1 with the ball to ensure the continu- i ity of the movement. This style of < play was varied at times with the : forwards fanning out in a line, and < throwing the ball around with short, sharp passes. It was purely practice, c with no attempt at rush-stopping by the other members of the team, but sufficient was seen to enable the opinion to be formed that resolute tackling will be required from New Zealand when the Springbok pack swings r into action. [

Great skill is shown by the tourists at dribbling. It was a revelation. They showed excellent ball control. THE BACKS. The backs, in charge of D. Craven, the vice-captain, practised mainly passing, kicking and fielding, full speed being worked up at times. Practically every player showed himself to be a master of the "screw” jpek, while there was general accuracy in touch-finding. Another feature was the manner in which the players, apparently, perfected the centre-kick. After a sharp ,passing rush, the ball would be kicked infield, sometimes high and al other times along the ground, but invariably to a spot where it could be gathered, or dribbled, by the rushing forwards, who would still be on side. Craven was seen in bis famous "dive” pass, which he sends out with great speed, while falling. In the morning, the Springboks were taken for a motor drive to Middle Run.

SPRINGBOK LECTURES YOUNG FARMERS. W. F. Berg, one of the biggest forwards in the team, who is a Government stock expert, gave a most interesting and instructive lecture to the members of the Young Farmers’ Club. He stated that he found it difficult to understand why, in New Zealand, with beautiful pastures abounding, that so little grass was to be found in on the football fields. He was elected an honorary life member of the Masterton Club. The Springboks will have to-mor-row morning free, but they will again train at Memorial Park at 2.30 p.m. The final practice will be held on Thursday morning, and they will leave for Wellington in the afternoon. N.Z. BACKS NOT FEARED ? Referring to the matches played in the North Island, Mr A. De Villiers, assistant-manager of the team, said that the Springboks had encountered tough opposition in practically every case. He thought that the standard of play by the New Zealand provincial teams had been high, and he had been particularly impressed with the display given by the forwards. He had been much more favourably impressed by the forwards than by the backs.

RANKIN INDISPOSED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 10. J. G. Rankin, the loose forward, selected to train with the All Blacks, is indisposed, and awaits the decision of his doctor as to whether he shall join the team at Otaki. The doctor will examine Rankin this evening, and if .he approves, Rankin will leave straightaway for Wellington, either by boat, this evening, or by air in the morning. Enquiry at Rankin’s home, this morning, did not reveal the nature of Rankin’s indisposition, but it is not the result of a football injury. FIRST TEST EXCURSION.

AUCKLAND, August 10. In one of the biggest excursions ever to leave Auckland, at least l,boo people are expected to travel to Wellington for the Springbok Test match. Bookings have been heavy, and the supply o£ seats is expected to run out in the next day or two. Special trains will leave Auckland on Friday at 2.20 p.m., 3.50 p.m., and 5.40 p.m., leaving Wellington on return on Sunday afternoon. Thirty-six cars will be used.