ALL BLACKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20183, 27 June 1928, Page 7

ALL BLACKS

INTENSIVE TRAINING Preparations for Saturday’s Big Rugby Test SPRINGBOK’S ARRAY OF TALENT ( By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright ] [ Australian Press Assn. J Received June 26, 11.55 p.m. DURBAN, June 26. The All Blacks and Springbok sides are now assembled at Durban and are undergoing intensive training in preparation for next Saturday’s test battle. Eighteen New Zealand players have been chosen to go through an elaborate training schedule. They are Lindsay, Grcnside, Carleton, Robilliard, Strang, McGregor, Johnson, Dailey, Kilby, Scrimshaw, Swain, Hadley, Maurice Brownlie, Alley, Finlayson, Stewart, Hazlett, McWilliams. The South African selectors chose 21 players. From performances to date it appears that the following will be the Saturday side: Tindall, Slater, Stanley Osler, Duffy, Prinsloo, Bennie Osler, Devine, Mostert, Kruger, Van Drutcn, Daneel, Vanwyk, Pretorious, Ollivcr and one other. Tho remaining six in training arc Brand, van der Westhgcn, de Villiers, Louw, Osler and Potgictcr. powerful Array of Talent There is a powerful array of talent in the side. Several players have not tfully recovered from injuries in the trials but are expected to be available. The team will take the field sound on Saturday. Phil Mostert, the experienced international who visited New Zealand with the Springbok side in 1921, has been elected captain. The South African pack will be a fine one. Critics all over the Union agree that better forwards could not be found in the country. Critics and public selectors arc all inclined to agree that it is doubtful whether the backs can hold the New Zealanders but, like all big Rugby, it will be a forward battle. South Africa has got the greatest confidence in its pack. New Zealand’s Inside Backs It is doubtful whether there will be very much alteration in the New Zealand team. At the present stage it appears that the Kilby—Johnson combination will not be altered, but McGregor, fit again, may play. If McGregor plays and Dailey is fully recovered from influenza the Canterbury inside combination is unlikely to be altered, with Johnson the outside five-eighths. McWilliams, on the form shown in previous matches and his brilliant play on Saturday, must be given a place, but it is a question as to who will be dropped for him. There are whisperings in the New Zealand camp that there is a suggestion to play Stewart wing-forward, McWilliams back of the scrum and Finlayson in his usual place on the side.

Saturday’s fifteen will bo finally picked to-morrow night. All eighteen are fit. On Saturday the team should be as sound as any team fielded so far on the tour. Harvey’s luck is still against him. When almost recovered and ready to train he went down with influenza on Saturday. Lucas is also down with influenza and the pair stay at Maritzburg and arc expected here to-morrow.