FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1937, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THIS SPRINGBOKS TRAINING OPERATIONS

(J’e'r Press 'Association—CoDyrignt).

MASTKRT’ON, August 11

The Springboks will have their final training, prior to Saturday’s test, tomorrow morning. Several of the players who have been suffering from colds, went to bed* after Tuesday’s practice, and, as a result. they were considerably better to-day.

The Africans trained for over an hour this afternoon, but it was noticeable that IBrand, the famous full-batik* did not turn out; It is stated, however, that he will be fit and well for Saturday. In their training to-day, the Springboks confined themselves to orthodox methods, but there was considerably more -speed as compared with the previous afternoon. There is no doubtthey- have enjoyed the spell of filie weather while in Masterton, and, while avoiding social engagements gs much as possible, they have taken every opportunity of getting out in the open. Motor trips round outlying country have been greatly favoured while the interest of a number of the players in rabbit-shooting bids fair to outrival their love for Rugby. The final practice will be held tomorrow mornino, and the team will return to Wellington in the afteri noon.

Tjuririg; thejr stay hero, the Springboks have been inundated hv autograph hunters..and some members of the team have been literally writingfor hours. T f<, ‘ * An instruction was is»i|edT: in tlio Masterton schools to-day fotthe pupils to refrain from bothering the visitors. Even so. a group of youngsters were waiting honefullv outside of the hotel after 9 o’clock to-night. ■ - ; , There is an epidemic of colds, among the Soringboks. Brand is ?ti|l nursing Saturday’s 3eg injury. Turner and Williams have been both in bed with bad colds. ■ The indisnosition of Turner and Williams will be serious unless they make a quick recovery, as these are the Springboks’; most valuable scoring men.

THE FIRST TEST,

Tiie first tost match between' New. Zealand and the South African team is set down- to be played at Athletic Park, Wellington on Saturday noon, and everything points.to a reeorp,; attendance at what should prove a memorable game. The Springboks having toured Australia before coming tb New Zealand should, have th© oombina--tioii that goes far' to win in the Rugby , game, and they have shown by their play while -in New Zealand that they are a combination of a high class. Their forwards are a recognised quality,' heavy and fast, and able to join in with their backs in any passing movements. The backs, in the first instance, reported to be the weakest links of th<? combination, have shown a quality that, is’of the highest, and the exposition, they have given in their various games have won every commendation from the critics, who now recognise the teaxu as a very formidable one, and worthy of the best traditions of the game id South Africa.

The New Zealand team, not yet definitely announced, will have a fine forward line, but it will need to be' a strong and capable one, to hold, with i (s lack of playing together,, their opponents. There will be little difference in the weight of the respective packs. It is in tbe;backs of the wearers of the fern leaf, that there is more doubt. Amongst the probable seven there is no man that stands out above his fellow, and no one that has gained llis place by any special outstanding ability. Either the backs are of only average Quality, or there must be a lot of players of a very high class. On the face of it, there appears every probability that the visiting Springboks will continue their successful career, and that with them victory will rest on Saturday afternoon.

accommodation TAXED

MASTERTON, August H

It was stated to-day that the Featherston hotels, 45 miles rrom Wellington, were booked out by Test visitors who have been unable to obtain accommodation in Wellington at the week-end.

FIRST TEST REFEREE

WELLINGTON, Aug 11

Mr H. L. E. Macassey, of Dunedin, has been appointed as referee for Saturday’s test match, New Zealand against the Springboks.

A WESTPORT CLAIM

WESTPORT; August 11

A keen student of Wellington football, who attended the Seddon Shield match at Greymouth on Saturday, last, stated that play in that match was of a higher standard than any he had seen in Wellington tliik season. He said that it was the'duty of the North Island selectors, who are not conversant with play on the Coast, to attend the coming match between the Buller-West Coast team and the Springboks.

SOUTHLAND WIN

TJMARU, August 11. The Southland Rugby team opened

their’ north'erri- tbnr here' to-day,- l<seU . feating South Canterbury' by eleven points to nine. Territorially, the, home side had the better of the but they were -unable -to j/bnetVajto the sound defences of-the visitors. The . tackling, of .both sides reached a high standard. ■■ - Tries were scored for the’ pinners by Scott, -Wesney, and Henderson, Wesney converting ' one. For South Canterbury, Saxton and Ityan scofbd ■ tries,; Lundy kicking a penalty gbaiily

-referees appointed. f(i

WELLINGTON, August, if; 5 ;.; The chairman of the executive>of ? the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr.’S.’ S. Dean, said to-night that the Ifevr Zealand team for the first .test match' would probably be released tb-morroW night . « ; .

The following referees have .been appointed by the referees’ .appointment board of the New Zealand Rugny Union to officiate in jnatebes; ;to b» ; played by the South African team :—r August 18, v. Marlborough, Mr A, Gordon (Manawatu). .. . , : <; August 21. v. Canterbury, Mr J. :S., King/ (Wellington). August 25, v. West Coast, Mr A.;B. Rowlands (fjoytli Canterbury), August- 28, v. Soiith Capjterbury, %if N. Eggelt|>u (West Coast). ... • ; ; September 8;" yV; Southland, MrUN* O. Tilly (Otago). V September IF v. Otago, Mr A. E, Austin (Southland). • ; • V

KIWI SENIOR TEAM ‘

The Kiwi senior team to meet-Ross oh SatiiKdhy, at Cass Square will, be as follows/ •., •> --i ' v % Stapleton,: Wilson, West,’ Rollerts*-- 1 ; O’Brien. Fol6>\ JlcHiigh/ Chipn)': 6i<lr' Wiebljtz, Kelly, darden, Xesße, biedricßs. jPahun.