THE ALL BLACKS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 June 1928, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS.

TO-DAY’S GREAT TEST. KEEN STRUGGLE ANTICIPATED. Press Association-Electric Teleyapl-Copyright (Special to Press Association.) (Received Saturday, 9.0 a.m.) , • DURBAN, Friday. On the eve.of the first test the newspapers turn out in big headlines, hoping that the game wil be hard, clean and fair. The atmosphere is electrical, only one topic being talked, tho result of tomorrow’s great Struggle, England’s railway tragedy and the South Africans’ success or failure at Wimbledon being forgotten. The whole atmosphere breathes Rugby. Huge crowds have Hocked from all over the country. South Africa is full of confidence. 'The New Zealanders recognise fTiat the match will be a desperate struggle, but arc certain that they will manage to win the day. The New Zealand average weight in the forwards is 14.2, and the backs 11.10. The average weight of the Springboks’ backs is 11.1, and of the .forwards 14.1.

The referee will be V .11.' Noser, an Oxford double blue.

PORTER’S CONFIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Friday. 'Cliff Porter, skipper of tho 1924 All Blacks, interviewed at Invercargill, said: “I have no doubt whatever that our boys will rise to tlie occasion and come out victorious' in all four Tests. They have had long enough to settle down, and that they are striking their real form has been shown in the last two games. “The team selected in the first Test in.'a very sound one and will take a power of beating.! The forwards arc heavy, and fast, and by now any of them who were inclined to ‘shine’ will have realised that all their weight is needed in the tight if tiieir husky opponents are to be held. The backs are nippy and clever, both on defence and attack, and should worthily uphold New Zealand’s best traditions in this department. “I am quite satisfied that when the .result of the first Test comes through New Zealand will have registered the first win.”

ALL BLACKS CONFIDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Bay. The New Zealand Rugby Union has sent a cable wishing the team the best of luck in the first Test, and has received the following reply from Mr Hornig (manager):—“Your message appreciated. The team is quietly confident. All are well except Harvey, who is recovering from influenza. The result of the All Black-Spring-boks match will be available to-morrow an hour earlier than usual.

THE SPRINGBOK PLAYERS

The following are notps on members of the. South African team: —

J. C. Tindall. —Age 27, weight lOst 131 b, plays as fiy half, centre or fullback. Ho was fiy half for the Springbok team in New Zealand but has since played brilliant games as full-back for South Africa against the English team in 1924.

J. Prinslod, a scoring wing, has played for the Stellenbosch University, Western Province and Transvaal. He played for .Transvaal in the two games against the New- Zealanders, and in the second game was said to be the best of tho home team’s backs.

Duffy (centre), a fine -all-rounder, was injured in one of the South African trials and it was then believed that he would be replaced by B. K. Albertyn (Eastern Province). A player of considerable experience, Albertyn captained the Springboks in some of •the tests against the British team in 192-1, and it was thought he might lead South Africa on Saturday, but the lot has fallen to Mostcrt, of the 1921 Springboks. Evidently Duffy lias made a good recover. He plays centre three-quarter for Border. S. Osier. —Age 20, weight lOst 51b, follewu his brother Bennie as captain of the Cape Town Varsity team. He played well for Western Province in the Currio Cup tournament last season.

J. Slater, an Eastern Province wing three-quarter, is very strong and fast and in a class by himself in his province. He played in the third and fourth tests against the British team in 1924.

B. S. Osier. —Fly half ■ (five-eighths), is 25 years of age and weighs lOst 121 b. He is considered the best half in the country, and has been described as the South African Cooke. He is a fine place kick. He has represented the province since 1922 and played . for South Africa in all four tests against the British team in. 1924.

P. De Villiers.—Scrum half, aged 21, weight 9st 81b, has been associated with B. L. Osier as tho Western Province pivot of the attack, and is quick and resourceful.

P. J. Mostert. —Forward, aged 29, weight 14st, is one of the most brilliant and experienced forwards of South Africa. He played against New Zealand in the three in 1921 and in the first, second and fourth tests against the British team in 1924. He captained the Western Province team last season, and scored six tries and dropped a goal in the Currie Cup contest.

T. L, Kruger, -the Transvaal forward, who was considered by the New Zealanders the best forward in the Springbok team of 1921, though in the veteran stage, retains his form and play-

ed in all four te&s against the Englishmen in 1924. He played for Transvaal in the two games against the All Blacks, and in each was reckoned to be one of the best forwards on the ground. Dr. J. Van Druten, Transvaal forward, is considered the finest loose forward in South Africa. He represented Transvaal in 1925 and 1927, and played in all four tests against the British team in 1924. He is reckoned by South African critics to "be the equal of Maurice Brownlie.

S. Van Wyk. —Forward, aged 25, weight 13.8, was one of the first scrum - magers in the Western Province team in 1925 and 1927.

P. J. Nel is one of Natal’s best forwards, of magnificent physique and •neighing 14.12. Dan eel is regarded as one of Western Province’s best forwards. He was tipped early in the season as a probable Springbok. He participated in the early trials at Port Elizabeth. He plays for Stellenbosch University and Western Province. Pretor'ius is one of the leading forwards for Transvaal. He played in both matches for Transvaal against the All Blacks, and in the second was mentioned as being one of the best forwards of the home team.