SECOND RUGBY TEST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXI, Issue 5595, 4 July 1930, Page 3

SECOND RUGBY TEST.

TO-MORROW’S GREAT MATCH. BRITAIN V. NEW ZEALAND. THE PROSPECTS REVIEWED. (By “Five-Eighths”) Though defeated by three points in the first Test match at Dunedin, and defeated by a team that had territorial advantage, still the odds appear to be in favour of the All Blacks in the second Test to be played at Christchurch to-morrow. All Blacks Strengthened.

If Britain can repeat its performance there will be a general doffing of hats, but the result at Dunedin cannot be taken as a sure indication of its superiority. There is no feeling that New Zealand was not seen at its best —there is the definite knowledge that it was not; and the assumption is that the defects in the rearguard so apparent at Dunedin will be remedied. The inclusion of Mark Nicholls may, probably will, justify the cry of “Send for Mark,” and there is no doubt but that Nicholls and Cooke form a brilliant attacking combination, even if it is not as strong as it might be on defence. Corner is an experiment at half-back, and is a reliable if not a brilliant player ; the fact that he has to justify his inclusion should have a big effect on his general performance.

Depends on Forwards. New Zealand’s success will depend on its forwards to a very great extent, but with the inclusion of Stewart the pack is a stronger one, and with the benefit of the experience gained in the first Test should be able to do a little more than hold its own. If it can do this, and if the improved backline can play with better combination there should be more. than three points difference in the scores, and New Zealand should on the right side of the ledger. Britain’s Bad Luck. I understand that the knee injury Sobey received in the; first match to be played in the Dominion by Britain —against Wanganui—is so serious that he may not be able to play again. As Sobey is generally considered to be an even greater player than Spong, followers of the game in New Zealand will be deprived of seeing a wonderful half-back.

While practising at Timaru on Tuesdays S. Reeve; one of the three-quar-ters of the British Rugby Test team, injured his ankle and he may riot-be available to-morrow. The Teams. According to latest advices the teams will line out as follows :— Britain. Full-back.—J. A .Bassett. Three-quarters.—J. C. Morley, C. D. Aarvold, H. M. Bowcott, J. S. Reeve.* Halves.—R. S. Spong, P. F. Murray. Forwards,—-Ivor Jones, G. R. Beamish, F. D. Prentice,- B. H. Black, J. L. Farrell, H. Rew, D. Parker, H. O’Neill. *May be unable to play owing to injury. The only alteration from the team which played in the first Test match is that Prentice replaces Hodgson, who was injured at Timaru on Saturday. New Zealand. 1 Full-back.—G. Nepia (East Coast). Three-quarters.—G. Hart (Canterbury), F. W. Lucas (Auckland), D. Olliver (Wellington). Five-eighths.—A. E. Cooke (Wellington), M. Nicholls (Wellington). Half-back.—J. Corner (Auckland). Wing Forward.— C. G. Porter, captain (Wellington),

Hookers.—A. I. (Canterbury), W. R. Irvine (Wairarapa). Lock. —E. R. C. Steere (Hawke’s Bay). j Supports.—l. Finlayson (North Auckland), R. G. McWilliams (Auckland). Back Row.—W. T. Hazlett (Southland), R. Stewart (Canterbury). This team is the same as that which played at Dunedin, with the exception that Corner replaces Mill at half, M. Nicholls replaces Lilburne at first five-eighths, and R. Stewart replaces Batty, who is not available . A Practise Turn Out. $ A message from Christchurch states that the New Zealanders assembled there on Wednesday and later held a practice at Lancaster-Park . The forwards spent a good deal of time in dribbling rushes. More systematic work than the first Test was carried out by the backs, who were lined out across the field and had to battle their way through the line of forwards. H. Lilburne is first emergency for the backs. The attendance promises to be a record. Although the last of the reserved tickets were only on sale from 9 a.m. yesterday, several hunddred people waited outside the booking office all night in very wintry weather.

BRITISH TEAMS’ RECORD. PLAYED 11, WON 9. In the eleven matches it has in Ne;y Zealand the British team has scored 209 points to 85 against. Nine matches have been won and two lost. The detailed record is as follows :— v. Wanganui Won 19—3 v. Taranaki Won 23—7 v. Manawhenua Won 34—8 v. Wairarapa-Bush Won 19—.6 v. Wellington .......... Lost B—l2 v. Canterbury Lost B—l 4 v. Buller-West Coast ... Won 34—11 v. Otago Won 33—9 v. New Zealand Won 6—3 v. Southland Won 9—3 v. Ashburton, South Canterbury, North Otago, Won 16—9