FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1937, Page 2

FOOTBALL

THIRD test.

ALL BLACKS TO ASSEMBLE

(Per Press Association—Copvrigh;;

WELLINGTON, September 10. The New Zealand players required for the Third Test with the Springboks at Auckland, are to assemble earlier than was the case of the First Test and the Second Test.

The New Zealand Rugby Union Executive has decided that all se.ecuplayers are to he in Auckland on the Monday prior to the Test match, those from the South travelling north by the limited express from Wellington on the Sunday night prior to the game. Ibe players are to be quartered at Takapuna. Messrs J. T. Burrows and W. J. Wallace have been appointed as representatives with the team, acting in the managerial and coaching capacities respectively.

WESTPORT MAN’S VIEW.

AVESTPORT, September 10

Commenting on reports of the Springbok matches, a local keen follower of the game says that in nearly every one of these reports, the New Zealand forwards are credited with great work and tile backs with letting the team down, this comment also applying to thee Test matches.

“Is this fair to the backs?” he asks. “Have the New Zealand forwards in the tests and provincial games, when beaten for the ball, quickly fanned out to try to stem the Springbok back movements begun generally from the scrums and linoouts? Almost invariably, it is shown that the backs have been called on to face not merely the man with the ball, but also one or more of the South African backs and forwards in support. The critic contends that it the New Zealand forwards in the coming Test, and the Otago forwards on Saturday back up quickly when they are beaten for the ball in the scrums and fan out in support of their backs, the task of the Springboks in piercing their defence will be infinitely harder. I