All Blacks Now Have Two Good Fifteens

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1949, Page 5

All Blacks Now Have Two Good Fifteens

BULAWAYO, July 25 (Recd. 11.45 pm).—When the All Blacks began their tour of South Africa the manager, Mr. Parker, expressed the opinion that it would be found that the tourists consisted not of 15 good I players, but 30 versatile and competent footballers. His prediction i was borne out by Saturday’s win over Transvaal, a victory which gave the second part of the tour a tine start. The 1928 All Blacks really struck form about a similar stage and went on to conclude the tour met impressively. The 1949 team is hopeful of at least equalling this and, for the sake of the prestige 'of New Zealand Rugby, bettering it. Transvaal had a win and a loss over the 1928 team. Since the war it has dominated South African Rugby, a Yair indication of which was its contribu- 1 tion to the Springbok test side. The need for keeping every player in a state of fitness compelled the All Black selectors for Saturday’s game to make a large number of changes on the test side, but such is the even calibre of the playing strength that eight who had not had a match for a month and more, teamed up with the seven regulars to gain a clear-cut win, even though beaten for possession. This apparent makeshift fifteen had only two days’ practice, due to heavy travelling during the week, but the competent manner of its win left the impression that the All Blacks can now face any match confidently with any fifteen. Neither Meates nor Botting saw much of the ball on Saturday. In fact, the tour has been a disappointing one for Botting, who has had little chance to show his speed, which is a great pity, as he has beep moving very freely lately. Meates was able to snap up a few opportunities on Saturday, and indicated, by the clever manner in which he weaved in and out in ■ a limited area, that he is rapidly reaching his best form.

Gudsell was inclined to run too much with the ball and was several times heavily tackled. After the match it Was found that he had received a knee injury which may necessitate a spell of a week or two. He has been unfortunate to receive injuries in all foiir games in which he has played.

Black gave another highly competent performance, and he is clearly *ight on the verge,of test class.