Prospects Open in To-morrow’s Test

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 7

Prospects Open in To-morrow’s Test

New Zealand Slightly

Favoured

TASK FOR GRIFFITHS

LONDUN, Nov

There arc no real surprises in Scotland’s team for tho Ruguy Test malclt at Murraylield against New Zealand on Saturday, thougn a number of people would? prefer ii. Lind to Dick. The latter made some nice runs in tne London Counties game, yet he sfiowed a tendency to hang on 100 long and ucgicct the wing three-quarters. Scotland’s pack is of Ike lively terrier type iu the loose and a good scrummaging unit. The tourists regard Beattie as one of the best forwards iu Britain. It is largely a South of Scotlaud pack,< Lambic having previously played for Hawick, and there should be an understanding between the forwards. Waters has a great reputation as a burly, fiery type. The Scottish inside backs are particularly able, with plenty of pace. The tourists have the greatest respect for Shaw and Logan, who have shown good form this season. New Zealand cannot afford to give Shaw any room and there is little doubt that he will bo closely watched by Griffiths, who is a good resolute defender. Everything points to an exciting and strenuous, even game. The visitors’ line combination and backing up, especially now that the forwards are scrummaging well, should carry tho day. On the form displayed against them the New Zealanders consider Scotland to be stronger than Wales or England.

“The Scottish Rugby selectors, who this season have to work much, more quickly'than the selectors of the other three countries, as Scotland meet the New Zealanders as early as November 23, may again find themselves confronted with their old problem of stand-off kalf-bqck,” commented tho Manchester Guardian recently. R. W. Shaw, the versatile Glasgow High School F.P.’s-player, after playing for Scotland on both wings and in the centre, in spite of Ms success as a stand-off half-back to W. R. Logan in matches for the Barbarians, was at, last tried by the .selectors as a standoff half-back last season; he has already started the present season in brilliant form by scoring five tries and converting seven against the West of Scotland, 29 points out of his side’s total of 41. Yet critics persist that he is “to individualistic” for a standoff hai’f-back and would be most effective iu the three-quarter line. "At the same time the selectors will have duly noted tho success of H. Lind at stand-off half for London Scottish in their first two matches. Against Old Merchant Taylors ho scored two splendid trios by clever backing up and also kicked an astonishing drop-goal from the touch-line. Stand-off half was Lind’s original position in tho Scotland fifteen, and in view of the criticism of Shaw it is interesting to recall that Lind in his early international days was frowned on as being ‘too selfish’ and ‘a poor link with his three-quarters.’ '”