ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

THE TEAM AND COMMENTS. (Special to Press Association). cßeceived this day at 8.50 a.m.) MARTIZBUItG, June 22. The New Zealand team for tomorrow is:—Lindsay, Robiliiard, Carlcton, Grenside, Strang, Johnston, Kilby, Scrimshaw, .Swain, Hadley, M. Brownlie, Aliev, McWilliams, Stewart, Hazlett.

The general opinion is that the team for to-morrow will he the test team for next Saturday, with two exceptions. Dailey is almost certain to play half-back and Finlayson is certain to go in the side of the scrum in place of McWilliams. It is surprising that the Selection Committee continues to play Carleton. On his performances to date lie is unquestionably a great defensive playei, but not .reliable in attack. Several times ho has dropped passes, when the wings were in a scoring position. Dailey has had a touch of influenza, but will have recovered by next Saturday. It is surprising that Nicliolls is dropped for to-morrow after his excellent performance at Potchefstroom. He gave easily the best display of fiveeighths play so far on the tour. Lucas is also considered unlucky iii hot being given a place after his brilliance on Wednesday. Finlayson will be rested to-morrow having played more matches than anybody in the team. Lindsay, on form, lias shown himself more reliable than Lilburne. He kicks with better length and judgment.

THE AFRICAN TEAM

For the past week 62 players from all over South Africa have been engaged in trial games at Durban, and to-day the final trial will be played. * The Springbok side will probably lie announced in the midde of next week. The full back position is very open and probably will be decided on after the Natal-New Zealand match to-mor-row. Tindall is the public fancy at

present. Unfortunately several unions’ best players have injured in trial matches. Two outstanding wings, Van Nieoerk and J. J. Pienaar have been hurt. It appears Prinsloo and Slater will be the wingers. Both are fast, tricky players.

The centre position is very doubtful for the moment. Duffy, a fine all rounder was injured yesterday. Albertyn, a player of considerable experience will probably filll the position. The five-eightlis will undoubtedly be Bennie Osier and Stanley Osier. Devine on bis great play in Transvaal matches must be the half.

There is hardly likely, to lie an alteration in the following pack : —Van Druten, . Kruger, Mostert,' Pretorious, Van Wylc, Dutchit, Oliver and Daniel. Most papers in the country agree that the Springbok side will be exceptionally strong in forwards, but the backs are not ns good as was expected. Several papers published articles saying the Springboks will win the first test.

F. M. Howard, in an article in the Rand “Daily. Mail” says the All Blacks after seven matches, are not up to expectations, falling short of the famous 1924 side. He says the Springboks will win next Saturday’s test. There is not the slightest doubt that the All Blacks will have to play much 1 letter football than they have done so far. Although the hacks have played some brilliant football, they would not get away with it against a South African side. It is recognised that as in most big Rugby battles, the test match will be chiefly a fierce forward combat.

Mostert and Kruger, of the probable test side, are the only players who toured New Zealand with the 1921 Springboks.

THE ALL BLACKS. The All Blacks have now won five matches out of seven, arid have scored 77 points to 31. Results to date are: Western Province (Country), won 11 to 3. Capetown Clubs, lost 3 to 7. Criqualand West, won 19 to 10. Transvaal, lost 0 to 6. Orange Free State, won 20 to 0. Transvaal, won 5 to 0. Western Transvaal, won 19 to 8. To-day the New Zealanders will play Natal at Maritzburg. Natal was fifth in last year’s Currie Cup Competition, winning five matches, .losing three and drawing one, so it appears to be a pretty solid side. There will he no match" next Wednesday, as the visitors have a week’s spell lief ore the first test at Durban to-day week.