THE SPRINGBOKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23302, 21 September 1937, Page 10

THE SPRINGBOKS

PROSPECTS FOR THIRD TEST MANAGER DENIES REPORT “HOPEFUL BUT NOT CONFIDENT” (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 20. “My attention has been drawn to a statement .1 am alleged to have made at Gisborne, which has appeared in the press—that I regarded the outcome of the third test as a certain victory for the Springboks,” said Mr Percy W. Day, manager of the South African Rugby team, upon arrival at Auckland, before leaving by the Aorangi to-morrow for Australia, en route for Africa. “ I said no such thing,” Mr Day continued. “On the contrary, I recognise that it is going to be a very hard game, and that the result is doubtful. lam hopeful, but not confident, that our team will win. However, I know that the Springboks will make a very great attempt to take away the Rugby ashes. “ I trust this final test match will be played in the spirit which should prevail in such contests,” Mr Day concluded, “and I hope the exhibition will be one which will please the thousands of spectators at, Eden Park. May the better side win. I shall be listening-in very intently in Sydney.” ALL BLACKS’ FAREWELL TO MR DAY NEW ZEALAND UNION’S PRESENT (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 20. After the main body of the All Blacks had arrived at Auckland this morning to go into training at Takapuna for the final test, they participated in a pleasing gesture when they forgathered at the Hotel Cargen to bid farewell to Mr Percy Day, manager of,the Springboks. Mr Arthur Baker, chairman of the Auckland Union, said he had been asked by the New Zealand Rugby Union to wish Mr Day a safe and pleasant return to his own country. Mr J. T. Burrows, who was a member of the 1928 All Blacks in South Africa, and is manager of the final test team, spoke of the happy relations between the * players on both sides, and the personal regard of the All Blacks for Mr Day. Mr W. J. Wallace presented Mr Day with a rug on behalf of the New Zealand Union, to the accompaniment of musical honours. Mr Day, replying, said he had greatly enjoyed his visit to the Dominion, whose victorious Army team in Britain he had the pleasure of'.piloting through South Africa in 1919. Speaking of the final test, his parting wish was: “May it be played in the real spirit of the game, and may the better team win.” AMONGST THE MAORIS SPRINGBOKS WELCOMED AT ROTORUA (Per United Press Association) ROTORUA, Sept. 20. The members of the Springbok team arrived yesterday by car from Gisborne and will remain here until Wednesday, when they will leave for Auckland to prepare for the third and final test. All the members of the team are well, and at their own request they are to be allowed complete freedom from official functions. Last evening, however, they attended a Maori welcome, when the opportunity was taken to make presentations of Maori gifts, and a Maori concert programme was presented. During their stay the visitors will be given every opportunity to see as much as possible of places of interest in Rotorua and the surrounding district. CRICKET MATCH WANTED SUGGESTION FROM WHANGAREI (Per United Press Association) WHANGAREI, Sept. 20. Whangarei cricketers are making an effort to arrange a one-day cricket match with the Springboks, who will play their final game in New Zealand at Whangarei on September 29. As the Springboks arrive on Monday following the third test, it is suggested that a cricket match be played on Tuesday. , ~ , . Mr C. H. T. Hedditch, president of the Whangarei Cricket Association, has written to the Springbok manager suggesting a match, which, it is felt, would be a pleasant interlude for the Springboks and a fine start for the new season here. _ 4 THE ALL BUCKS IN CAMP AT TAKAPUNA ALL PLAYERS REPORTED FIT (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 20. The 21 players selected to train for the New Zealand team for the third and final test match against South Africa at Eden Park next Saturday assembled in Auckland to-day. The mam body, consisting of 16 players, arrived by the Limited express, accompanied by the manager, Mr J. T. Burrows, of Canterbury, and Mr W. J. Wallace, of Wellington, who will conduct the training of the forwards and backs respectively. These members were ■joined in the city by the three Auckland players—J. Dick, T. H. Pearce and T. H. C. Caughey—N. A. Mitchell, the Southland centre three-quarter who played in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park on Saturday, and J. L. Sullivan, the Taranaki centre three-quarter, who came direct from his own province; After lunch the All Blacks were taken across the harbour to their new quarters at Takapuna, where they will be accommodated this week. All the players are in the best physical condition, and none is suffering from colds or minor abrasions. It was also revealed that every member of the party has had strenuous match practice since the second test, the majority of the players having taken part in representative games last Saturday. This was considered by the manager to be a satisfactory feature.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM SELECTION ON THURSDAY Mr W. Pearson, one of the six New Zealand selectors, will leave Dunedin this morning for Auckland. The selectors will meet in Auckland on Thursday, when the All Black team for the third test will be selected.