ANOTHER ALL BLACK BLUNDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19107, 27 June 1930, Page 14

ANOTHER ALL BLACK BLUNDER.

(Written for the " Star.”)

Lhe New Zealand Rugby selectors appear to have made a blunder in dropping Lilburne from the first five-eighths position for the second test against the British side. Lhe reason for including Nicholls was evidently Lilburne s mediocre showing in the first test last Saturday. Lilburne, who was plainly acting under instructions, did not attempt to pierce the defence, as only he can. Nicholls, John-

son and Lilburne were all playing for places at Oamaru the previous Wednesday, and Lilburne was the only one of the three to get through repeatedly from near the scrum. His efforts did not reap their full reward because he was not welt backed up by the rest of the team, particularly the backs. In the first test Lilburne did

not show up to advantage owing to Mill’s slow and mis-directed passing from the scrum. Lhe Canterbury man sometimes had to take a pass behind his back, and the waste of time allowed the nimble Spong to be right on him before he could gather in. Lilburne’s defence, as always, was sound, and Spong, whose tricky running would test the defence of any player, was not able to get past him. Lhe selectors, alt of whom have seen Lilburne play several times this season, should not have condemned him on the one game, for he is the best, in fact the only, real penetrating first five-eighths in the Dominion, and is potentially a better player than Nicholls, whose play is slowing up with his gradual lack of youthful dash. If the selectors do not want penetration near the scrum their only other hope on attack is Hart’s speed on the wing. All things being equal, this speed is nullified by Reeve, who looks to have even more pace than Hart.