ALL BLACKS ON TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 11

ALL BLACKS ON TOUR.

SEVERE TESTS AHEAD. CONFIDENCE OF SPRINGBOKS. INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS, j BASIS OF SOUTH AFRICAN GAME. [from cue special "correspondent.] JOHANNESBURG, May 14. The high opinion formed in New Zealand of the capabilities of the 1928 All Blacks has had the effect of stimulating the keenest discussion of the probable outcome of the test matches, and several old Springboks who took part in the New Zealand tour of 1921 have been called upon to express their views on the prospects of the home team winning the international yames. A typical expression of opinion is that of Mervyn Ellis, one of the best of South African post-war forwards, who participated in the New Zealand tour and played in all four test matches against the British team of 1924. Basing his judgment on what he saw of New Zealand Rugby in 1921, lie definitely commits himself to the opinion that South Africa should win the rubber of the test matches which commence in Durban on June 50, and has the courage to put forward the following reasons for his opinion : Over-estimated Strength. (1) During the 1921 tour Australian and New Zealand critics, after seeing the matches in Australia, and the first provincial match in New Zealand, expressed the opinion that the Springboks would not win a test match, and in all probability would be beaten in the provincial matches against Wellington and Auckland. The ultimate results of the tour proved how much thsy had, on that occasion, over-estimated the strength of their side or under-estimated the strength of the South Africans. In this respect history is likely to repeat itself. (2) The Springboks had to play under the conditions and accepted rulings in regard to the infringements of rules obtaining in New Zealand. (3) The Springbok methods of attack are more varied and effective than those of their rivals. (4) South African Rugby to-day is every bit as good as it was in 1921. (5) He discounts the claim of the New Zealanders that their standard of play has improved since 1921 to the extent suggested by many of their critics. Unfortunate Injuries. Ellis further points out that the 1921 team was somewhat unfortunate in that several members sustained injuries in the matches in Australia before they arrived in New Zealand, and the injury to De Kock, which kept him out of the three first test matches, was a severe loss to the side, as the combined work of Michau and Do Kock, a Stellenbosch University pair of halves, was expected to be the inspiration of the South African attack. This is merely a personal view, and New Zealand critics will probably entirely disagree with it, but it is put forward as an indication of the confident spirit with which both players and public are looking forward to the test matches. South Africans have immense confidence in their hammerhead pack formation, and such an authority as Dr. Cove-Smith, last year's English captain and a forward of the widest experience, who captained the British team in South Africa and played against the All Blacks in their 1924-5 tour, supports the belief that South Africa's 3-3-2 scrum formation has no equal for thrust in the set scrums, which means so much to the hooker. Relying on Speed. The South African game is based on the ability of stalwart forwards to obtain the ball for their backs, the skill of the halves and threequarters to make ground with touch-kicking until within striking distance and then for quick heeling and swift passing to provide a chance for the centre to cut through or for the wing to make a dash for the line, relying on the exceptional speed of the men generally on the flank of the Springbok side. Orthodox, if you will, but, since the Springboks won their spurs 'in international football in 1905-7, these methods have proved successful enough to gain the utmost confidence and, no matter what the result of the earjy matches of the tour may be, it will come as a shock if South Africa is outplayed in the match at Durban.