RUGBY.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

RUGBY.

TO MEET NEW ZEALAND. SOUTH AFRICAN TEST TEAM. SELECTION BY FRANK MELLISH. “Judging by the form displayed this yeo_r I should have no hesitation in placing Jack Tindall in the very important position of full-back. He is able to use both feet perfectly, is a fearless tackier, and is capable ■ of turning defence into attack,” writes Frank Mellish, Springbok International and Captain in giving his views on a Test team to represent. South Africa against New Zealand.

As regards wing three-quarters, Jock van Niekirk is my first choice. Although only 19, he has already had two years of the most strenuous football, and has built up a reputation throughout the whole of South Africa. He is very powerfully built, side steps off both feet, is fast and has a very safe pair of hands. It is generally agreed that he is as fine a wing, if not the finest, South Africa has ever produced. My other wing would be Kotze, also a Western Province man, who has sprung into the limelight this year, and plays the same type of game as Steele. More commendation than than I do not think he needs. Should either of the above wings be unable to play, two excellent substitutes are Start, of Western Province, and Prinsloo, of the Transvaal.

Harder to Solve. The centre three-quarter position is not quite so easily solved. For men to fill these berths I would agaiii turn to Western Province. The pair which have been representing this province this year are S. Osier and W. lioussauw. They play together for the University of Capetown and have a perfect understanding. For sheer brilliance I prefer W. Elliott to S.. Osier, hut unfortunately the former has been precluded from playing this year. /n the event of ids being available next year I should play S. Osier

as a reserve either for the centre or iiy-nail' positions.

B. Osier, who is a brother to 3. Osier has no equal in the country, and is the finest fiy-haif 1 have ever seen, either in Australia or New Zealand or tne Brilisli isms.

To partner him 1 should choose Pierre de Yiiliers' from Paarl, not because he is so far superior to any oilier scrum-half in the country, but because Osier and he have played a number of important games together and there is a perfect understanding between them. Another very fine pair of halves is Devine and Sieff, from the Transvaal, but Osier's all-round superiority m the lly-half position inclines me to the belief that the Western Province pair is to be preierred.

The Vanguard. The question of forwards is also a difficult one. It seems to he generally agreed that the lumbering forward who. has no speed, but plenty of pushing ability has had iris day. Van Druten and Kruger, from the Transvaal, Mostert, Wood, and Hennessey, from the Western Province, Nel and Van Renen from Natal, and possibly Melclc, from the Western Province, are all men who are typically modern in their style of play. They are capable of hard work in the scrums, and are also able to take part in hack movements; in fact Mostert, who accompanied the Springbok side to New Zehland in 1921, notched a drop goal this ’season.

THE TEAIVI FOR AFRICA. Hinemoa ! Hinemoa 1 . , May we weep a-while together, Share our sorrows, share our sadness ! For we love our dusky brethren, Batty, Paewai, brave Wanoa, And our Ncpia, crowned and gloried. Are the Hottentots and Kaffirs, Zulus and the brown Basutos, Meet to class with our dear Maoris? Ted McKenzie, keen-eyed Norman, Guy and Geddes, keen-eyed Adams, Millikeu, famed for Southern fairness, Dare you claim your choice “ New Zealand?” Soothe your chagrin in your duties, Share our anguished disappointment. Leave them with us—proud possessions; For we love them —love our brothers. —GEORGE GOODALL. Frankton.