THE ALL BLACKS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1928, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS.

THE FIRST TEST. PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW. Press Association-Electric TelegrapK-Copyrighi (Special to Press Association.) DURBAN, Thursday. Newspapers throughout the country are emphatic that South Africa will win. Threo South African pressmen travelling with the team give their opinions. F. M. Howard, late of the “London Times” and now of the “Cape Times” •says: “Everything depends on the ability of the South African forwards to get a real stranglehold on the New Zealand pack and call the tune. I think they can do it. The All Black forwards, unlike the backs, have not yet found their true form, and arc not the equal of their rivals at scrummaging. Therefore, I think the odds are two to one on South Africa, because the New Zealand backs will see little of the ball. They will be very closely marked in any ease. The winning of this Test is of vital importance to New Zealand, as I can see .little hope of their being able to win the next at Johannesburg.”

E. T. Steythler, a representative of a chain of Dutch papers, says:—“South Africa will win the Test match, I presume, because they are sure to show superiority in the tight scrums. Two cannot hook against three with eight men in a pack with an average weight of 195 pounds. I expect them to get possession of the ball quite 75 per cent of the game. As 'possession is really all that matters, South Africa, with their advantage in set serums, will be able to be continually attacking and hammering away at the New Zealand defence, which will not be able to stand the onslaughts of the back division that South Africa is fielding on Saturday. Our backs are a finished seven, equally good in attack and defence. In the latter department of the game, one cannot honestly say that the »xll Blacks have thus far excelled, except perhaps Carlcton and Johnson, who have shown themselves tacklcrs of a high standard. I except South Africa will find a leakage in the New Zealand lme at second five-eighths, whether McGregor or Strang fills the position. Except for the game aga'inst the Free State, neither of these players greatly impressed. They seem incapable of varying their play. This, in any international game, is fatal.” J. B. Heartland, of the “Johannesburg Star” and three other papers, says:—“All who have seen the All Blacks ’ recent matches will agree there i.: a combination thrust in the New Zealand backs, particularly with the Inside players, which gives the impression that the tourists’ near lines are superior to the best available to represent South Africa next Saturday. The hopes of the Springboks mainly rest in the powerful pack of scrummaging forwards. In tho Rugby game strength in the vanguard is the main essential. The task of the South African forwards will be to keep the ball tight an an endeavour to ivear down the All Blacks’ pack. Only if these tactics are successful will South Africa carry off the honours. We can glean comfort m the fact that a team containing a pack of forwards, such as South Africa ■possesses to-day, will take a powei of beating.” IS IT PROPAGANDA?

(Special to Press Association.) DURBAN, Thursday.

The public and press of South Africa 'is greatly surprised at the omission of Nicholls. Most of the papers have printed big head-lines saying that it is hard to understand why Nicholls has been left out. The “Natal Mercury” said: —“The most noteworthy item about the All Blacks’ selection is the omission of Mark Nicholls. Nicholls 'is very naturally not quite the player to-day he was four years ago, for though still only 26 years of age, he began Lis first-class career vorv young. This is his eighth season of international football, but even so lie has already demonstrated on this tour that he still possesses that touch of genius which stamps him as a footballer above the ordinary 'international level. The All Blacks next Saturday may have cause to. regret that thev have deliberately omitted him from the side. I can think of no other national fifteen that would do so.” THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. “THE ALL BLACKS WILL WIN. * (Special to Press Association.) (Received Friday, 0.0 a.m.)' DURBAN, Thursday. The following is the New Zealand team to play South Africa to-morrow:—

Full-back: D. A. Lindsay (Otago, 13.6). . , ' Three-quarters. B. Greuside (Hawke s Bay, 13.6), S. R, Carleton (Canterbury, 11.4), A. C. Eo'billiard , (Canterbury, 12.0)! _ t Five-eighths: W. A. Strang (Canterbury, 11.4), L. Johnson (Wellington, 12.3). Half: W. C. Dailey (Canterbury, 10.10). Wing-forward: O. Scrimshaw (Canterbury, 12.6). . . Front row: H. J. Swam (Hawke s Bay, 13.2), S. Hadley (Auckland, 13.0). Lock: G. T. Alley (Canterbury, 16.0). Flanks: M. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay, 14 3), I. Finlayson (Auckland, 15.4). Back row: R. F. Stewart (South Canterbury, 15.0), W. E. Hazlctt (Southland, 14.7). The whole of South Africa is emphatic that the Springboks will wm, but the New Zealand team is more confident than ever. The general opinion of the New Zealanders travelling with t he team is: “We can’t lose if we can pet thirtv-fivo per cent advantage m the scrums, for then the backs should cahry the day.”

As in all big Rugby matches, it is sure to be a great forward battle, with an occasional run amongst the backs, and your correspondent’s opinion is that New Zealand will win.