THE ALL BLACKS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 77, 27 June 1928, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS

PREPARING FOR TEST.

UNDER INTENSIVE TRAINING.

SATURDAY'S BIG GAME

United Pro*) Assn.—By Electric T olograph Dopyright. DURBAN, Juno 26.

The All Black and Sprinkbok sii:as are now assembled at Durban ami are undergoing inteWfive training in preparation for next Saturday's tesli battle.

Eighteen New Zealand players have been chosen to got through an ehabiorate training schedule. Thoyj are: Lindsay, Grewside, Carleton, ilobilliard, Strang, McGregor, Johnson, Dalley, Kilby, Scrimshaw, Swain, Hadley, Maurice Brownlie,

Alley, .Finlayson, Stewart", Hazlettt and MoWilliams. 1 The South African selectors have chosen 2]. players from the performances to date, and it appears fiiati the following will be Saturday's side: Tindall, Slater, Stanley Osier, Duffy, Prinsloo, Benme Osier,"" Devine, Mbstert, Kruger, Van Druten, Danecl, Van Wyk, Pretorious and Oliver. The remaining six in training are: Brind, Van Der Westhgen, De Villiers, Louw, Osier and Potgieter.

•There i s a powerful array of talent' in the side. Several players have not yet fully recovered from, injuries received in the trials. But are expected; to be available. Tho team will take the field somul on Saturday.

;Phil Molstert, an exporiencdd in{ "ternational player who visited New Zealand with the Springbok side in 19*2)1, has been elected captain of the South" African team. The) pack will be a fine one. Critics all over tho Union agree that better forwards could not be found in the country.

Critics, the public and the selectors are inclined' to agree that it is doubtful whether the'TJacks can hold the New Zealanders, but, like all big Rugby games, it will be ft forward battle. South Africa has the greatest confidence in it? pack.

It is doubtful whether there will be very, much alteration in the New Zealand team. At the present stage it appears that the BUby-John-son combination will not he altered, but McGregor may Gregor plays arid Dal ley is fully recovered from "his influenza the Canterbury inside combination is unlikely to be altered, with Johnson as outside five-eighths. MbWilliams, on the form; shown in previous matches and fiisi brilliant! ■play on Saturday, must be given a place, but the question is asi to who will be dropped for JjTni, There are whisperings in the New Zealand camp '■■ifrffz there is a suggestion to play

as wing-forward and McWilTiams at rTS hack of the scrum, with Finlayson in hig usual place.

| Saturday's fifteen will be finally picked tO'-morrow nigTM. On Saturday the team should be as sound' as any team fielded so far on the tour. Harvey's luck is still agaTnst him,. almost recovered and ready to train he went down with influenza. On'Saturday Lucas.was also down withl in. lluenza. The pair stayedliT Maritzburg and are expected here tr>-nfor-row.