THE ALL BLACKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS.

VISIT TO NEW SOUTH WALES. CAREFUL PREPARATION IN COM--4 MON WEALTH- STATE. New South Wales would appear to be taking groat care with the selection of the team to meet the Alt Blacks during the approaching tour of that State, judging by exchanges recently to hand. The Sydney Sun. commenting on the visit, says: ■'Accounts which have been received of the trials in New Zealand to enable the best possible team to be picked for England suggest that this All Black side will bo exceptionally capable. One authority has remarked, ‘Poor New South Wales’ • but bo may yet take back those words, for it can be emphatically stated that when the tnght Blue side takes the field against its redoubtable opponents, the Blues themselves will be a wonderful team, specially trained and fit to the minute; New Zealand will have no walk-over.” The Sun considers that the New South Wales selectors, in their choice of teams tor the trial matches, have done their work well, and it now only remains for constant training to ensure that the final 15 ‘win be tutored up in all the tricks and wiles that it will be necessary to employ against the brilliant men of New Zealand, whoso form, according to New Zealand advices, is of a standard equal to the best that has ever been displayed by All Black sides. Glowing accounts of the New Zealand trial matches, which have been played before record attendances, inform us that the final All Black side will be a team equal to the wonderful 1905 combination. No time should be lost now in getting our own team finalised, as the players will need as much football together as it is possible to arrange.” Commenting on the players that have been so far selected—and those left out — the Sydney paper says that although Larry Wogan’s name docs not appear in the trial teams, it must be because he is unavailable, as it is unthinkable that he would not otherwise be included. Two other players who have been showing good form this season have also been omitted—Hill, a Manly forward, and Hingst, the University break-away. It is difficult to understand now these players escaped the eyes of the astute selectors. Hill is a particularly hefty and vigorous young forward, the best type of rucker, and deserving of selection. Gcorgeson, who has been chosen, and who works the North Sydney scrum, plays a fine game, repeatedly varying his movements and running his backs inlo good position. His exhibitions this season stamp Him as a specially good scrum half. Owen Grossman is not appearing in club football until the All Blacks arrive. This player is one of the union’s biggest “draw” cards, and although an injury he sustained at Manly recently i s slight, no risk will be taken of playing him till he is quite sound again. Stanley and Sheehan arc great backs of traditional University brilliance. The selection has now been narrowed down to 32 players, all of whom go into training prior to the final choice which the selectors—Messrs Bosward, Griffen, and Adamson—will make just prior to the first test on July 5. Their greatest problem appears to be goal-kickers, of which there is apparently a woeful lack this season. In a recent fixture at which the selectors were present, out of 15 attempts only three —and these easy ones—were successful. “This.’’ declares the Sun. “is shockingly bad for experts like Stanley, Nothling, and Mingay, who, for the sake of their own reputation, apart from the value it would be to their team, should indulge in some much-needed practice. The standard is bad with most of the teams, and needs urgent improvement.’’