HARD ROW TO HOE SPRINGBOKS OPINE

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 6485, 17 December 1927, Page 9

HARD ROW TO HOE SPRINGBOKS OPINE

South Africans Ready For 1928 All Backs

INTEREST INCREASINGLY AROUSED

[By Electric Cable-CopyiJght.3

(Aust and N.Z Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 3.5 p.m.)

CAPETOWN, Dec. ,15

As the lour of tho All Blacks drawr ncarcr intense interest is being - increasingly aroused, and already it is predicted that none of the South African grounds will be able to hold tho crowds hoping to see the Tests. Already applications are pouring In to the Rugby Board from the remotest towns in tho back vcl-dt.

Leading Rugby experts arc of the opinion that the All Blacks team is about .the world's strongest combination, and that it it th e strongest side ever picked against South Africa. This is contained by six-column headings in to-day’s “Capo Times,” which asks whether the selection of Lhc Sprinboks will be by means of a selection committee of by the captain.

It is emphasised that the selection committee will naturally select a captain, who in 99 cases out of 100 would invite the matured wisdom of the present selection committee. Paddy Carolin, th e international Springbok half-back deprecates innovations. Ho asserts;

‘‘Wo have a hard row to hoc. Let us carry on as we have done in the past and rely on the ability of our representatives to win through. We are entering thc greatest trial of strength ever undertaken. Special endeavours must be made to select a team at the earliest date If we fail it will be because wo were beaten by a better side.”

SPRINGBOK’S DEFENCE WILL BE TURNING POINT. (por Press Assnr-ial'nn) WELLINGTON, Last Night. A well-known Rugby enthusiast in Capetown writing to a friend in Wellington on the subject of the approachig visit of the Ail Blacks to South Africa says: “We are all delighted to know the team is so strong. Some of our experts predict the All Blacks will win. The turning point will centre round th e defence of the Sprinboks. *T cannot see scores such as those at Sydney last year. An odd drop goal is going to make all the difference. The forwards will be evenly balanced. I fancy wo will have the superiority at half. Your centres however may gain th c day. We arc very disappointed with our centres. "Again thc All Blacks must realise that refereeing is going to be absolutely strict. Ic certainly was not so in the match I saw in Australia last year. Your team must not get downhearted If thc knock-on rule is interpreted with complete strictness. It will bo all quite fair but severe.’’