FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1937, Page 2

FOOTBALL

F. W. LUCAS’ OPINION. A WINNING CHANCE. ‘‘Given a reasonable slum* of the hall from the. serums and line outs, Ne.v Zealand has every chance of winning the third test against the Spring!) ks at Eden Park on Saturday stated Mr F. W. Lucas, a former Auckland wing and eoiitre-threequarter. who toured Great Britain in 1921 and Solid) Africa in 1928 with All Black combinations.

“After witnessing the first test at \\ Islington, 1 consider that the All Black fifteen is fully the equal of the visitors, although the latter may have a slight advantage in combination as a lesult of their tour.”

Mr Lucas was of the opinion that New Zealand’s chance of slitres, apart from the forwards, rested largely 011 the play of Trevathan at first fiveeighth. Stressing the fact that the Springboks had proved themselves to be wonderfully clever defensive p a.vers. he pointed out that, to counter this, the All Blacks rearguard must adopt special tactics.

‘‘My opinion is .that, in Hooper and Sullivan, the Dominion has a great pair of attacking backs, and superior to the Springbok insides. 'I lieiefore, New Zealand must make full use o! these brilliant players’ capabilities.” Mr Lucas explained several tactics which Trevathan could adopt. First, he must drive the Springbok insides hack by use of stab and “grubber” kicks, not right into the bands oi Brand, but either obliquely, just short of him, or over his head.

When the Springboks five-eighths found that they could not play deeper, tin n Trevathan could suddenly let the ball out to hi ; brilliant threequnrter line, when it would have much better chances of scoring.

‘‘Superior weight is m t the secret ol scrummaging advantage,” addl'd Mr Lucas. “It is tlie packing of the scrum. It must he compact, with lull use made of the arms. The New Zealand pack must go down as a p.nverlul wedge, and push'as a solid unit, ll this i s done, the forwards will again, givi* their hacks many opportunities. in spite of the Springboks’ highly skilled scrummaging. Regarding the line-outs, in my opinion, the All blacks secured

nil advantage in the first test, and should be able to do so again. Although he considered that both Simon and Trevathan were a little too slow, Mr Lucas strongly pointed out the dangers'of making many changes in the All Black side for the final test. However, should Mitchell and Caughey be available, he was definitely of the opinion that they should be included, preferably on the wings. Jn the forwards, Mr Lucas advocated the replacement of Rankin by Ward, who had shown great ability at Wellington. “It should be a wonderful struggle between two exceptionally evenly matched fifteens,” he concluded. “The result may quite easily depend on t ie luck in kicking. Trevathan won for New Zealand in the first match and Brand for South Africa at- Christchurch. Either of these great., goalkickers may win the rubber for his side.”