View That All Blacks Will Become Great Side

Chronicle (Levin), 2 June 1949, Page 5

View That All Blacks Will Become Great Side

9 (N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

, Copyritfht)

Trom Claude King, Press Assbciatio*" Representative with the All Blapks). Received Wednesday 7.5 p.m. CAPB TOWN, June 1. South Afriean Press writers and oh' Rngby plavers, agree after seeing thi. \ll Blaclts in action in the first match Jiat the technique- of forward play wil ■leed to improve but all feel that th» Jde has potentialities to greatness once natcli play has assured the necessary (Itness. "I like the All Black baeks and the -orwards have weight and physique bu the scrum is not working pi'operly.yet. ' -,aid Boy Morlcel, 1921 Springbok ' They pack too high and the scruui half was inclined -to throw the ball in ipfore the pack had started its shove. I'heir lineout play was negative. Thesf 'aults will be ironed out with expen mee and I think the side will develo] 'nto a great one." " On our own tours we found that tli. irst match was no indication of tii* form plavers eventually showed, ' ' saii .ouis Ba'brow, 1937 Springbok. Similar "y, I feel that when the New Zealander have had a few more matches, they wil ue a different side and a very difficm >ne to beat." "The All Blacks showed in the firs 10 minutes that they are a good side,' aid George Van Reenen, 1937 Spring >ok. " I always niaintain that a tean diould be judged in the first match b play in the first 20 minutes. No teau s fit in its first game of a tour. Ni unount of running or praetising c;ii gve a side the. practice it gets ip i natch. Once this side attains a prope: . legree of fitness, it will develop into •• j >owerful combination. We must not un | lerrate them because of to-day's show I ing," | "The All Black exhibition in th i irst match strengthened the opinion ' 'ormed during practices at Herinanu md at Newlands, that the backs cai | he very dangerous but that the for ■vards iiave rnuch to learn in scrummag ug and in lineouts, measured by Sout ; Afriean standards," said A. G. Dutoi I n tlie Afrikaans newspaper Die Bur ; ;er. ' ' Unless they improve in these de mrtments they will have a tough tiin igainst the stronger provincial side ind Springbok packs. The forwardihowever, are excellent in supportin. •ach otlier and they have every quali ieation for developing into a grea side." Roy Palmer, Soutli Afriean Press As ociation representative' says: "Th. \'ew Zealanders leave hooking to on na.n who is regarded as a specialist. lr 8outh Africa the hooker is helped by ithers. To-day's ehain of events sug' ■;ested that the latter method has di?... inct advantages. ' ' The Oape Ti?jes says that the seeond lalf slump sliovHd not be allowed to ob literate the very pleasing impression ■nade by the All Blacks in the firsl half. There was crispness, thrust anu .mhesi.on in their attacks and. .they wen .vell worth the 11 points lead gained. Later pace and lack of match practict oegan to tell.