THE SPRINGBOKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 244, 27 July 1937, Page 2

THE SPRINGBOKS.

FORM CRITICISED. INVESTIGATION URGED. SYDNEY, July 26. Jack Fingleton. writing in the “Sun,” urges the council of the Australian Rugby Union to obtain a report from the Australian coach, Mr A. C. Wallace, on the position of Australian Rugby in the light of the recent contests against the Springboks and the criticism made by the Springboks’ captain, Mr P. J. Nel, as cabled from New Zealand. Fingleton remarks: “It is no secret that Mr Wallace found the standard of the Australian players exceedingly low. He had to start from the beginning in coaching several of the players. Mr Nel’s comment on the Australians seems amply justified.” Speaking at tfie official welcome in Auckland on Wednesday, Mr Nel said one difficulty fared by his team was the weakness of the opposition which was encountered in Australia. “We had only three games in Australia in which we were extended,” he said, “and, generally speaking, I do not think the standard of Rugby there is particularly high. We have no excuses to offer for our defeat by New South Wales—they beat us fairly on the day and played magnificently—and we had two good struggles in the international matches against Australia. Apart from the handful of players who took part in these games there were none who showed any marked Rugby talent, and the other matches were of little value in enabling us to work up combination and find our best team.” GREAT RUSH FOR SEATS. THE QUEUE AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 26. Booking for the Springboks’ matches in Wellington opened at 9 o’clock this morning, but it was at 10 o’clock yesterday morning that a queue began to form. Equipment was varied —overcoats, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, boxes, a trumpet, a gramophone, sandwiches, flasks and books —all these were brought along to ensure some sort ot comfort and to while away the hours of day and night that lay ahead. By midnight more than 300 were waiting. Most wore overcoats and stood against the wall, but the more experienced were bedded down and seemed assured of some sleep. A code of waiting ethics seemed to have been coipmonly accepted, and there were employers and employed to hold places. It was difficult to find among the earlier arrivals anyone who was not going to sell his seats, and 84 were working for a ticket agent. After the first 200 there was evidence of more keenness about the football. The rules allowed a person to leave the position for short intervals, but anything over half an hour was not countenanced. One man even spent Saturday night waiting. It was a lone wait, except for the company of a policeman. The man had six hours' relief during Sunday so that he might go home to sleep, but this was a special privilege. AUCKLAND’S ATTENDANCE 37,800. GATE TAKINGS AMOUNT TO £4200. AUCKLAND, July 26. The official estimate of the attendance at the match between Auckland and the Springboks on Saturday was 37,800, and the gate takings were £4200.