BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 18

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM.

CONTAINS SOUND EXPONENTS

JWO SPLENDID HALFBACKS

ONLY UNCAPPED FORWARD

(Special <o the Hv.nM.ij.)

11V .1. N• SHERWOOP.

The British Rugby team selected to lour New Zealand and Australia looks to fee made up of sound if not brilliant exponents. Comparing it with the combination that toured South Africa a few years back, under the captaincy of Cove Smith, I would not suggest it is "> any respect „ stronger team And Cove Smith's men did not win a single test. At the same time a parly which carries 24 international players must, command respect. Consequents 1 am certain the British team will put nv sterling fights, even although wc arc not anticipating them beating the All Blacks.

It would be absurd of me. to suggest it 5s Britain's best team. Bather would I fay that the selectors have been very fortunate in being able to get such a good side together for such a long tour. But while in Britain we may have the players numerically, there arc quite a number of "stars" who have not been able to accept ♦he invitation to make tho trip. So wo have to send the best available. And. as T sav. the quality of those players who arc available is surprisingly good. Scotland Stands Aloof. / There is only nnu Scotsman in the side, nrnl he is not the best known of his country's players Personally, I think the selectors inicht well have ignored Scotland cntirelv. This country has displayed such pigheailednes.s—that is the only word for it—that it would have been more dignified had England, which is mothering the tour, confined her selection to England, Inland and Wales. Scotland sees some hidden danger in the tour, which no other countrv can see. and it has done nothing to assist Encland in building up the team. Why England tolerates such stinginess by the Scots must be, puzzling Jo my overseas friends. , I understand that G. P. S. Macpherson, the Scottish international centre-three-quarter. . had been invited to make tho trip, but owing to business reasons had to decline. George Stephenson, the greathearted Irish threequarter, had also to turn down his invitation. Such defections are, of course, to be regretted, for the presence of two such gifted players in any back division would have given tremendous strength both in attack and defend. Lan Smith, the Scottish wing-threequarter. is another star who is missing, thus I mention three threequarter backs, who, had the team been thoroughly representative, would not have been left out. Two Good Fullbacks. But lest you should run away with tho idea that I am making an apology for defeats "that arc to come," let me paint a brighter picture anc? tell you something of the men who are cominj. To begin with, the selectors have been very fortunate in the selection of fullbacks. J. Bassett, the Welsh international, is, I think, the best fullback in Britain to-day; superior to Askew, the English fullback, or to Warren, tlie Scottish player. There is no weakness here. G. M. Bonner, of Bradford and Yorkshire. will be Bnssett's deputy. This 'vouris man has been on the fringe of English international honours, and 1 consider he is likely to do big things in New Zealand. He is quite at home, too, as a cenl re-threequarter. England supplies two international threequarters of the present season, and one of last season. J. S. R. Reeve and A. L. Novis are undoubtedly two first-class wingers, who have done excellent work for Encland this season. Novis. if necessary, can play 'in the centre, which position he held when Encland beat France. A Classy Centre.

The third English international back ipT. D Aarvokl, who, however, has not displayed the same penetrative prowess this season as formerly, when he practically selected himself. Aarvold, however, is a stylish centre, and certainly the most polished threequartcr we have in the North to-day. Wales provides two threequarters who have been capped for their country this season. J. C. Morley, of Newport, is a talented winger, certainly one of the most dangerous in the game to-day, and be is likely to be first choice for one of the two (lank berths. Tho. other Welshman is T. E .Jones-Davies, who is quite useful, bul not an outstanding exponent.

Ireland. I think, may supply at least nrie test centre. T. P. Murray is a very versatile pe.rformer, for he is equally at home as stand-off half as in the centre. This young, .nan played a big part in Ireland's victory ove* England as standoff half, although it is certain he will be needed more as a centie-threequarter. The only uncapped threequartcr is 11. •'Jennings, of Cornwall, who may easily turn out to bo tho star centre of the ttc.arn

Britain's Best,

Immediately behind tho scruro Britain has nothing to fear. We are going to be splendidly served with It. S. Spong at Btand-off, and W. 11. Sobey working tho scrums. These are England's pair, who are said to bo the best combination since the days when Kershaw and Davies were operating. Both played a magnificent gam© against Prance, and quite outclassed their two French rivals. Undoubtedly Spong and Sobey are tho best halves in the game, and they are likely to mako a big name for themselves in New Zealand and Australia. • I do not know a great deal about tho other two selected halfbacks, Poole, of Cardiff, and Knowles, of Cheshire, although the latter has displayed commendable form in county Rugby. Barring injuries ono feels the back division will weld nicely together. There is speed on the wings; a fair amount of thrust in the centre, although a G. P. S. IWacpherson or I leorge Stephenson m the middle would have provided the perfect combination; and spirit and guile immediately behind the scrums with Sobey and Spong in form. A Powerful Pack. One can glean the strength of the pack by regretting the absence of but one player, namely,' Sam Tucker, the front row man, who played such a big part in the overthrow of France at Twickenham. Had Tucker been in the front rank, then itbero would have been no grumble. This 5n itself indicates Ihat Rritaiu has been fortunate to gather such a galaxy of forward talent.

There will be weight, as well ns experience and speed, and if Uiev en 11 get the ball out from (be set serums, there \s the further satisfaction in the knowledge that in Sobev and Spong they have, the two best men in Britain to make the best use of their successful heeling. Of the forwards seven are English internationals; Ireland sends three, Wales two and Scotland one. The only uncapped forward is J. McD. Hodgson, a young Northumbrian, who during the present campaign has been knocking at the door for international honours. I would not say there is a Tommy Yoyce in the side, but if 11. Wilkinson, of Halifax, reveals the form he displayed last season he may surprise New Zealarulers. Last year his exhibitions made many critics hail him as another Voycc. There is one South African in the side, I). II Black, of Oxford.' lie is the goal•kirker of the team.