SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22603, 16 December 1936, Page 23

SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

FORM SHOWN IN TRIALS GREAT STRENGTH QF PACK NEW ZEALANDER'S COMMENT While stationed in Christchurch, Mr. J. Prosper, club captain of the Lancaster Park Cricket Club, and prominent in other branches of athletics, was a keen Rugby enthusiast. In his younger days he represented Hawke's Bay as five-eighths and centre. Mr. Prosper is now living in South Africa, and, in a letter from Johannesburg received by the last mail, he writes in interesting strain concerning the recent Springbok trials held in preparation for the tour of New Zealand in 1937.

"I watched tho trials in company with two other New Zealanders, brothers of Nelson Ball, the All Black." writes Mr. Prosper. "We were decidedly impressed with the big, strong, and, in some cases, fast forwards. As in other games which I have seen here, they pack low and push in the scrum until the ball is out. South African teams also use the short-passing method among the forwards to good effect, "New Zealand sides will certainly have their han-ls full with the Springbok pack next year. It will take a power of stopping. The forwards have very few tricks, just steam-roller tactics, and honest scrum work —but I have not seen anything better. Five of the men likely to go on tour are giants, all over 6ft. and weighing between 15st. and 16Jst." SADLY DISAPPOINTING PLAY AMONG THE BACKS "The back play in the trials was sadly disappointing, mainly because of-the absence of fast, straighlnrunning centres. It seemed to. be their object to get rid of the ball as soon as possible and trust to their forwards to get possession again. "There was not ono inside back in the two matches whom one could call even a good connecting link, and South Africa will either have to test out new material or rely solely on tho forwards. Now and again, a man tried to straighten up a passing rush, but most of the backs kicked for the lino when they should have passed, or else gave a badly-directed stab kick. Scissors movements were never attempted. "Even the handling by tho wings was mostly indifferent. A notable exception was P. J. Lystcr, a wing-three-quarter from Natal. This player ha< sturdy physique, plenty of speed anc» determination, can handle well, and is a deadly tackier. Ho should be a star on tho tour.

"Of tho full-backs, I thought Turner, of Transvaal, quicker on his feet and a botter rush-stopper than Gerry Brand, who is the idol of Rugby followers in this country. At the same time, Turner gavo me the impression that he can b<s bustled; but he must bo a certainty for the trip as he is a solid threequarter as well. Brand showed better direction with his kicking, although he seemed to kick too much. Even with plenty of room and near his opponents' goal, he preferred to find touch at the corner. "Summing up, I should say that once again it will be the South African forwards who will cause New Zealand most concern. They are fiex*y as well as weighty."