FEW ARE REALLY FIT

Chronicle (Levin), 22 June 1949, Page 5

FEW ARE REALLY FIT

AH'Blacks Need lore Games Tfian Was Expected Reeeive'i Wednesday, .19 a.m. POTCHEFBTROOM, June *11, At the oucset oi' the All Blaeks' tour the mapiager, Mir. J. H. Paj'ker, said he felt that the players would tjeed at least six games befoye they wouid reach true mateh f mm. The eontinued heat, h^y weather abd spate of in-juries;, • hawever,' has made it evident that the majority of the team witl need more matches than this to become -eaUy fit, At the momept the onw piayers reprpducing New.Ze^hd fo.rjn ajre Gi'ant, McNab, Crpwley, John§tpne and MeHugh in the forw.ards and Savage, Biaek and Elyidge in the backs, _ Savage Mast Improved. Savage must rank as the most improved player. He was 0.ne pf, the fibtest members of the team when the first match waa pl.aye'd and, while not yet in top All Black class, is whipping .out good passes and making some judicious breaks on his own.Seott's full -back piay is still of a high standard in posjtio.na] work and fielding the bail, but both his ine kicking and goal kicking lack his customary a.ccuracy( Goddard has in fact been more impress.ive with his line kicking, but c- | find form with his shots at goal, though superior in speed and fLtness. | Henderson has had many" chances on the wing, but has scarcely fu^lled expectations yet. Boggs Excites Interest. Biggs has excited considerable interest through his hip bumpihg tactjcs, but the whole team, as well as Boggs, were astounde'd in one match when he was warned for dangerous play after sending two opponents sprawhng on the ground. Elvidge is showing glimpses of his finest form. South African wrjters are high in their praise of his att^cking and defensive ability. If the ball can come out quickly: enough to him, the Bouth African centres may have a torrjd time preventing him from bursting through. Allen nee'ds more matches. but was moving yery nicely against Natal. Gudsell gave two most promising djsplays in his first two games, but then contracted a heavy cold and slso suffered from a brujsed foot. from which he is only. Just recovering. Strong Combination. Kearney. AUen and Elvidge rerepresent the combination whieh apoears much stronger thah any South African insi'de backs seen tb date. • • Black and Delamofe haye Y vd a trying time from the'opposing' loose forwards, particula'rjy fofiowing lineouts, but Blgek is -beginning tp gaimconfideneb, Vs.