OBSERVATIONS BY ALLEN ON PLAYING SIDE OF THE TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 8

OBSERVATIONS BY ALLEN ON PLAYING SIDE OF THE TOUR

PA . WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. Observations on the tour, particularly on the playing side, were made by the captain, Fred Allen, as follows:

Style of Play: The Sprinkbok game does not commend itself either to New Zealand players or spectators. It accomplished the desired results, but everywhere the team went the reaction of the public was that the All Blacks were more attractive to watch. Public’s Angle: Linked with the above was the significant fact that though tha tests attracted up to 70,000 people, club matches in the big cities drew comparatively small attendances. TTie establishment of a rival code in South Africa might worry Rugby unless play is brightened up.

Sportsmanship: The Springboks were splendid fellows to play against and had freely mixed with the All Blacks on the friendliest of terms off the fields. The crowds as a whole were no better or worse than New Zealand crowds. Disturbances had been caused mainly through the colour question.

Weather: The All Blacks never managed to get fully accustomed to playing in the phenomenal heat. The result was seen when the forwards, who were as fit as the hardest of training could make them, could not get to the ball as quickly as usual. Stars: The best of the Springboks were probably Duvenage and “ Bubbles ” Koch. Probably the outstanding successes of the All Black team, with an eye to the future, were Kevin Skinner (Otago) in the forwards and Peter Henderson (Wanganui) in the backs. Hennie Muller was an extremely fast and heady South African forward who was a constant worry to the All Blacks. Selections: There might have been changes in some of the All Black teams fielded if it had not been for certain players being on the injured list.

Bob Scott: It was not the eightseamed ball which beat Scott when it came to goal kicking—it was just a spell of sheer bad luck.