BRITAIN PLAYS FINAL MATCH BEFORE TEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19107, 27 June 1930, Page 7

BRITAIN PLAYS FINAL MATCH BEFORE TEST.

The Combined Side Have Formidable Task To-morrow.

VISITORS WILL FIELD STRONG PACK, WHO OUTWEIGH LOCAL MEN BY NEARLY A STONE

(Special to the “ Star.”)

TIMARU, June 27. FACING a British pack which averages nearly a stone per man heavier, the combined North Otago, South Canterbury and Ashburton team have a hard task before them at Timaru to-morrow, when the British side will play their final match before the second test at Christchurch to-morrow week. Seven of the team who played in the first test will be on the field to-morrow. The rest will be enjoying the exhilarating atmosphere of Mount Cook.

There will be a difference of 20st 111 b in favour of the British team in the scrums, which is probably the greatest margin over any team that the visitors have yet met on their tour of New Zealand. The combined forwards are in good training, but it is problematical whether they will be able to last out the distance at the pace which the visitors are bound to set. Most of the local men have already made their mark in football, but, while being perhaps brilliant individually, they will not be able to produce that sweet combination which the visitors have retained since their memorable match with Otago. The teams will be as follows: Britain. Full-back—J. Bassett (13st 101 b). Three-quarters—J. Morley (list), A. L. Novis (12st 21b), R, Jennings (lost Sib), T- Jones X)avies (list 61b). Halves—H M. Bowcott (fly) (12st), N. Poole (scrum) (12st). Front row r —H. Rew (14st 101 b), S Martindale (14st 21b), FI. C. Jones (13st 121 b). Side row’ —B. FI. Black (14st 41b), J. M’D. Hodgson (14st 101 b). Back row—lvor Jones (13st 91b), F. T). Prentice (list 71b), W. B. Welsh (I3st 71b). Combined Side. Full-back—L. Connolly (list 21b). Three-quarters—B. Trotter (12st 41b).

A. Gaffaney (lOst), G. Sumpter (list 41b). Five-eighths—G. Day (lOst 101 b), L. Hollow (list 71b). Half-back—W. A. Strang (list Sib). Wing-forward—O. Whiting (12st 31b). Front row—A. M’Cormack (lost 41b), D. Callanan (13st 41b). Lock—R. Cameron (14st 21b). Supports—A. Sim (13st 21b), 11. Coxhead (13st 111 b). Back row—C. Pawson (12st 41b), G. Giddings (13st 21b). Britain will field a very strong pack, which is likely to prevail in the scrum

work, particularly as the visitors have that side of their play reduced to a fine art nowadays. Hodgson, Ivor Jones and Welsh will show up in the loose work and in following-up, and will give the local backs little respite. Prentice, captain of the . British team, will be

playing his first game since the match at Greymouth on June 11. Martindale, who will be in the front row, has not played since the Canterbury match, Dai Parker having taken his place in all four matches since then, including the first test. W. A. Strang, who w-ill captain the local side, is playing at half-back, in which position is not so useful as at first five-eighth. His play in his new position will be watched by Mr W. Maxwell, the Canterbury representative on the New Zealand selection committee, presumably with the idea of ascertaining whether he is worth a place in that position in future test teams.

Strang, who was a 192 S All Black, has a good Rugby record, but his play has gone off since the South African tour. Though the backs have not been assembled long enough to gain a good working combination, individually they are of fair playing strength. The fullback, L. Connolly, is regarded by local critics as the most promising young fullback in Canterbury, and a worthy successor to Jack Harris (Christchurch). Of the wings B. Trotter has not this season produced the form which took him to Wellington for the All Black trial prior to selection of the Dominion team to tour South Africa, but he is still a sound player with a strong run. He played in the recent South Island trial. Sumpter, from Oamaru, who replaces Ross, is the other winger. He is gifted with more speed than anything else, his defence not being altogether reliable. Outside of Strang, A. Gaffaney, of

ITemuka, is likely to prove himself the best back of the team. He combines a natural swerve with a keen sense of anticipation of the trend of play His lack of weight is his only drawback. Day has played football in Ashburton for very many years, and is probably the most seasoned played in the team. Hollow, the other five-eighths, replaces Trevathan, who was originally selected but who met injury Hollow played a good game against the All Blacks at Oamaru before the first test. Day and Trevathan played together in the Possibles v Probables match, and it; is possible that Hollow will not be able to combine with Day as well as did Trevathan.

Willing Forwards. In the forwards Whiting is a smart man round the scrum, but his eagerness is inclined to lead him offside. A. M’Cormack, the hooker from Ashburton, has represented Canterbury some vears ago, and also in the recent South Island trial match at Christchurch. The other hooker, Callanan, from Winchester, has yet to prove his worth Sim, from North Otago, played in the South Island trial game and on his showing then was selected as a reserve for the New Zealand Possibles v Probables game at Wellington. Coxhead is regarded by many as being the best forward in Timaru. He was nominated for the South Island trial. G. Giddings, from Fairlie, played a i good game in the South Island trial match, but he was overshadowed by heavier and faster men. Pawson, who will pack down alongside Giddings, is on the light side but makes up for this disadvantage by willing work all the way. The team will remain till Wednesday instead of going on to Christchurch on Monday. In the w r ords of Mr Baxter, the manager of the team, they were so enchanted with the South Canterbury watering place w’hen passing through by the train, that they decided to prolong their stay. This will give some of the players more time at Mount Cook. The team will practice at Timaru for the second test.