THE SPRINGBOKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 249, 2 August 1937, Page 8

THE SPRINGBOKS

WIN AGAINST TARANAKI. SEVENTEEN POINTS TO THREE. . (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 31. An efficient, well-knit vigorous team, but not unbeatable. That was the impression left of the Springboks after they had beaten Taranaki by 17 points to 3 before an attendance of 20,000 at Rugby Park. It was team work, positional play and sure handling that gave the South Africans victory over a team with individual brilliance but lacking cohesion and tackling some times not so well as it should. Lighter by more than a stone a man, tlio Taranaki forwards often caused l*avoc in the loose, but the Springboks had a substantial advantage in the scrums and line-outs. The ground was in better condition than the Springboks had previously experienced in New Zealand, and the firm turf and dry ball were to their liking. Play was always open and spectacular, both sides using their’backs frequently. The Springboks fielded almost their strongest team. The scores fairly indicate the merits of tlio play, although Taranaki was within inches of scoring three times. Since Taranaki may be taken as representing fairly the strength of the New Zealand provincial teams, a good indication was given of the ability of the Springboks under favourable conditions. Backs of Even Quality. The Springbok backs were of even quality, excepting that Brand was not particularly impressive. His line-kick-ing was sound, but liis goal-kicking was not very successful. Williams and Turner, on the wings, were dangerous, particularly Turner, who also kicked well. Bester scored two tries and played a fine game. Babrow was more subdued because ho was well marked. Harris and Craven were sound and handled surely, and Craven used his dive pass in spectacular fashion. Van del* Berg was the most noticeable forward because he did most work, particularly in the line-outs, and because he got into most trouble. Many penalties were given against him by the referee (Mr A. De Clifton). Straclian and Bastard were also prominent in the pack. Frequently off-side play often stopped the Springbok movements and the scrummaging was not always satisfactory. Taranaki was never completely dominated, and made frequent thrusts both back and forward. If Brand worthily filled the lull-back position for South Africa, Collins would not disgrace the All 131acks. His line-kick-ing was better than Brand’s, frequently driving the invading team back and gaining great slices of territory. His tackling was deadly but his goal-kick-ing was not successful. Sullivan was outstanding at centre and later at second five-eighth. He was prominent in many driving back attacks. He and Smith were responsible for a spectacular piece of work when Smith scored. There was not a better forward on the ground than R. Clarke, ilie former All Black, who seems to have struck top form again. The Springboks played relentlessly. They asked for no quarter and gave none.. Hardest Came of Tour. It was certainly the hardest game of the tour, said Craven after the match. The play of the Taranaki forwards was astonishing, and South Africans did not expect such fierce opposition. The captain, P. Nel, said it was a good hard game, fought in the best of spirits. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, said it was one of the cleanest big games he had played in. He doubted if the Springboks on the form so far displayed would be able to beat the All Blacks. NEW ZEALAND TEAM. PLAYERS SELECTED TO TRAIN. WELLINGTON, August 1. Twenty players have been chosen by the New Zeaahul Rugby Union selectors to train at Otaki in preparation for the first Test against the South Africans at Wellington on August 14. An additional player will be chosen later in the week. An absentee from the list is the All Black, N. A. Mitchell, who ’.pulled a leg muscle during the All Black trials. He turned out on Saturday for Southland in the Ran fin !y Shield match against Otago, and was forced to retire. The selected players are as follows, their respective unions being indicated as follow: Auckland, A, Canterbury, C; Hawke’s Bay, HB; King Country, ICC; Manawatu, M; tago, 0; South Canterbury, SC; Southland, S; Taranaki, T; Welllington, W; West Coast, WC. Full-back.

Three-quarters.

Five-eighths. ,

Half-back.

T. Simon (0) ... 26 11 0 5 S Forwards.

THE WELLINGTON TEAM. WELLINGTON, August 1. Tho Wellington team to meet South Africa at Athletic Park on Saturday is as follows: Full-back—J. Vartan. Three-quarters—A. G. Hansen, J. Fleming, A. Wright. Five-eighths—J. L. Griffiths (captain), R . Veitcli. Half-back—C. O’Halloran. Front Ron'—C. Ongley, A. Lambourn, J. Wells. Middle Row—Fraser Smith, C. Pringle, A. H. Andrews, J. Butler. Back Row—K. Guy.

Age. Weight. Height Years. . st. 11). ft. in. J. Taylor (0) •• 25 12 1 5 9

J.L.Sullivan (T) 22 12 5 5 9 J. Dick (A) .... 24 12 3 5 9 T.Morrison (SC) 23 12 9 6 0 D. G. Cobdcn (C) 23 13 4 6 1

J. A. Hooper( C) 23 11 0 5 10 D.Trevathan (0) 24 12 0 5 8 C.Crossman (KC) 24 11 12 5 8

D. Dalton (HB) 24 13 10 5 9 E. Jackson (HB) 23 14 0 5 104 H. Milliken (C) 23 14 12 6 0 R. R. King (WC) 26 14 10 6 2 J. 0. Rankin (Q 23 12 12 5 11 A.A.Parkhill (0) 25 13 12 5 10 A.Lambourn (W) 26 13 8 5 10

T. H. Pearce,(A) 24 14 7 5 10 R.McKenzio (M) 26 15 1 6 0 S. Reid (HB) .. 24 14 10 6 2 R. Ward (S) ... 21 14 0 6 1