THE SPRINGBOKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10962, 26 July 1921, Page 8

THE SPRINGBOKS

REVIEW OF THEIR PLAY PROSPECTS OF VICTORY IN THIS TESTS. IMPRESSIONS OF SATURDAY'S MATCH. When, seen on Saturday evening, the captain of the Springboks stated that it was the hardest-fought game that the team had taken part in during the tour. He mentioned that, at the conclusion of one game, lie was carried shoulder high, as a compliment to the way his team had acquitted themselves on the field of play, but the exhibition given on that occasion did riot reach the standard of excellence of Saturday’s play. AN “ALL-BLACK’S” IMPRESSIONS. “What are the impressions you gained from to-day’s game, and do you think the best team won?” asked a “Times” reporter of an ex-member of the famous “All Black” team. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,’ 1 he replied, “but the margin of difference between the sides was so slight that I am of opinion that, if the match was played again, Wellington would probably win. A lot of mistakes were made. Wellington did most of the attacking in each half of the game: the forwards got the ball from most of the scrums, and, to my mind, several tries were lost in tho first spell, by failure of the backs to do the correct thing when an opening was made. It is easy to be wise after an event, but there were) three noted instances, where certain tries were absolutely thrown away. When on tho Springboks’ line, H. Nicholls tried to work tbe 'dummy' and failed, when the Wellington backs bad tho simplest of openings to cross. On two other occasions, Roberts, I contend, was at fault, in kicking when splendid openings presented themselves for a few yards’ dash by the wing three-quarter.”

WHICH WAS THE BETTER TEAM ? The general topic of conversation, as might be expected, on Saturday night, when Rugby experts got together and compared notes, was the merits of the respective teams. The consensus of opinion was that the- game was a hard, slogging one, hut devoid of brilliancy, beyond a slight flicker on rare occasions. There was plenty of vim shown in the second spell, but a lamentable absence of finish. t The hard gruelling thnt tho Springboks were subjected to by Wellington in the first half of the game tried them severely, and it is questionable if they could Rave sficcessfullji repelled the repeated attacks much longer. This they frankly admitted to be the case themselves. “RULE OF THUMB” METHOD*. After Saturday’s exhibition, it will be conceded that the visitors’ backs are not a good scoring combination, hut excel in defence and spoiling tactics. They assist each other in defence in a manner that is meritorious. There is a solidarity that is hard to break down,, but their attack is patchy and not well sustained They are not clever, from A football point of view, but play the game by “rule, of thumb” exceedingly well. The only instance of real brain work that was die played by the visitors’ backs throughout the match was when Michau gave the “dummy” and outwitted Roberts. MERITS OF HOME TEAM. The surprise of the game was the play of Wellington against the wind, and it is safe to say that, had the same “ginger” been put into their play in the first half, a different result might easily have been brought about. "While it cannot be said that 'Teddy" got down to it as he might have done," said a veteran who knows, the play and players, "it must he remembered that he was carrying an extra load of responsibility in the match. Those who follow the game well know what. I mean; to those who don’t follow the game closely it doesn't matter. Everything was against the popular. Athletic player, and on a different day he would, I am sure, have given a better 1 account of himself."

Siddells, at full-back, played a sound game, and fully justified his inclusion in the team. There was only one occasion in which he did not field the ball cleanly, and he tackled hard and effectively. The tackling of the three-quarter line left little to be desired. Ryan was seen at his best. He was solid in attack and defence, and played one of the best, if not the best, back games seen during the afternoon. M. Nicholls did fairly well, and, with more experience, will no doubt improve greatly. H. Nicholls, behind the scrum, did really well. He was 'guilty of one or two errors of judgment, but was sound in the main. The ball was got quickly and cleanly away, but there was a considerable amount of misfielding in the earlier stages on the part of the backs. CREDIT TO THE FORWARDS. The forwards were opposed to a combination, more especially in regard to ifeight. that called for every ounce of strength and resourcefulness. The taßk set them was accomplished with credit, and the soundest of their work in the second spell was pleasing. In regard to forward exhibitions, the splendid footwork which was uot only one of the prettiest incidents to witness in matches in days gone by, but one of the most effective forms of attack, is absent from Rugby lu New 'Zealand to-day. The art has been lost apparently, and the game has lost much of its merit thereby. THE SPRINGBOKS' PLAY. It is freely admitted that the Springboks are a solid combination, and every lover of Rugby -football would not hesitate to congratulate them on their v’letorv. They are exceedingly proud of tbqir success, and tho impartiality of the New Zealand public has been so pronounced that Mr T. B, Pienaar stated that it would be difficult to find a higher status of sportsmanship anywhere. De Villiers, the Springboka* last lino of defence, is a cool and deliberate plover. He kicks well, but his tackling could be sounder. An impression of his smartness in extricating his team from difficulty when hard pressed could not he gathered on Saturday, as, on all occasions when he was called upon, he had plenty of time and room. Of the three-quarter line, Clarkson was more prominent than the others, although Meyer was seen to advantage seve -a. times. _ Van Ileerden has the reputation of being a great wing three-quar-te hut his qualities did not come into the limelight. He ia a fast, strong runner, and tackles splendidly, as do proctioally all the backs, but he does uot make the best use of his sprinting powers, and appeared to be anxious to get rid of the ball' as soon as possible. J. Michau distinguished himself as a half-back. He is a strong runner .of the solid type, and puts more vim into his efforts than does his comrades in the back division. The forwards are a solid lot, possess dash, are good on the line-out, and follow up well. In the scrums, weight and strength ploy the major part in their work, and they seldom hook the ball. Their ability to stem the tide of a combined "All Black” rush will be anxiously awaited. After Saturday’s gable some football experts are confident that the Springboks will carry away the honours held by New Zealand in Rugby football to South Africa. Should the team accomplish the task, the congratulations of the New Zealand pnblio will not be lacking. CIVIC RECEPTION AT CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, .Tuly 25. A civic Tcception was given the Springboks at Christchurch. Local sports b<xlies were fully represented. Tho Mayor, in extendinc.R welcome, said the

reception was not or. ordinary one; tbe j visitors were linking up the golden chains I of the Empire. I Graceful tribute to tho late Anthony Wilding was paid by Mr Pienaar, who, addressing Mr F. S. Wilding, said: '"The i name of your son ia regarded: with very great veneration in South Africa. He \s looked upon as on* of the finest sports that ever played."