VIRTUALLY A TEST MATCH

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1934, Page 7

VIRTUALLY A TEST MATCH

ALL BLACKS AT BRISBANE SIXTH GAME OF TOUR TO-DAY STRONG AUSTRALIAN TEAM INJURED NEW ZEALANDERS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 5.5 p.m. Brisbane, Aug. 17. The Australian fifteen to play New Zealand to-day at Brisbane with a few exceptions is the same as the test side of last Saturday and as the New Zealand side is also similar the Brisbane followers of the game will be attending what is virtually a test match. The teams, according to a cable message, are:— New Zealand. Full-back: Lilburne. Three-quarters: Holder, Caughey, Hart. Five-eighths: Griffiths, Page, Half: Corner. Front row: Leeson, Lambourne, Hore. Middle row: McKenzie, Manchester, King, Mataira. Back row: McLean. Reserves: Oliver, Collins, Smith, Max, Barry. Australia. Full-back: Vincent. Three-quarters: Kelaher, Towers, Hayes, McLean. Halves: Lewis, Malcolm. Forwards: Ritter, Bonis, Bermingham, Hodgson, Bridle, Donely, Mackney, Clark. The New Zealand skipper, Kilby, ar:rived by air from Sydney this afternoon and was warmly welcomed by his colleagues. His injured knee is making progress and he is almost certain to be fit for the final test. Kilby is sure to play against Newcastle on Wednesday as a try-out. The selection of Saturday’s team caused a stir among the tourists. It looks as though Collins, Max and Knight may be omitted from the next test side. Every player is keen ,for a win to-morrow. The older players feel that defeat would jeopardise their chances of selection of the side for England as the cry would go up in New Zealand for more youth. The tourists visited the Lone Pine native zoo this afternoon and made friends with scores of . native bears or koalas, which the Queensland union adopts as an emblem like the silver fern of New Zealand and the waratah of New South Wales.

Rain clouds are banking up and suggest that to-morrow' , s match will be played on a heavy ground, which would assist New Zealand’s chances as much, as it would detract from Australia’s. The request' of the New Zealanders that the ground should be watered before the match was fulfilled on Thursday.

Already the All, Blacks have* a number of injured players. Kilby wrenched his knee against New South Wales. Hart has been absent with an injured ankle, but will participate to-day. McLean has just recovered from a carbuncle, not a boil, as first reported, and Mahoney, although he has played since he received a badly lacerated face still wears a face guard. The latest cabled news states that. Mr. A. J. Geddes, the manager, has requested Hadley and Bullock-Douglas to rest from active play, Hadley having injured his arm and the Wanganui Avinger being extensively bruised. Hadley, hooker, may not play again during the tour as the result of badly spraining his hand in Wednesday’s match. Hore jarred his heel but may be fit again by Saturday. Mr. Stuart Perkins in the Sydney Sun says: “Lilburne must be considered a serious challenger for Collins’ place as first full-back. Besides handling safely and kicking accurately he showed much more enterprise than Collins has displayed in Australia.” LAMBOURNE PLAYS HOOKER CAPABILITIES OF COLLINS The Petone raker Lambourne will face Bonis in to-day’s match, and a good-duel should ensue. Collins seems to be overshadowed by Lilbume’s impressive display against Queensland, but the Taranaki man, is far more capable in a tight corner, If not so impressive on attack, and after all the full-back’s position is one of defence. Griffiths is the obvious five-eighths to represent New Zealand, and some surprise was voiced at his noniriclusion in the test. The rest of the side is well known and capable.

The Australian back line will need some watching. With the experienced Towers at centre and the versatile Lewis at fly half, the penetrative power is extensive, while Kelaher and McLean will provide the finish. Dr. Ross will be a noted absentee, but Vincent is almost as reliable, though he may not possess the same reputation. The brilliant Malcolm is again behind the scrum. The forwards are heavy and even and possess the necessary devil to fully extend their opponents.