Hope To Reverse Historic Order

Chronicle (Levin), 12 July 1949, Page 5

Hope To Reverse Historic Order

ALL BLACKS HAVE GOOD GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM

(By

C. King, N.Z.P.A. Representative)

' Received Tuesday, 9.5 a.m. CAPETOWN, July 11. In the history of the Tests between South Africa and New : ; Zealand the home side has so far won the first match of the series*. The All Blacks feel, now that their football has taken an upward trepd, that they will feversA this hjstoric order on Saturday-;

There are now good grounds for optimism. To'day's practice revealed that the uplift given the team by their fine win last Saturday had achieved wonders. There was a spirit abroad which I have not previously ^een .on the tour. One might almost descrihe the team as comparab'e with a person who has finally solved a difficult crossword puzze. New Zealanders at home will probably never know till the prayers return just how difficult the first part of the tour was. Not only was there the task of getting fit under condi.ions eompletely the reverse of what are normally ex- ' perienced in New Zealand, but there were such problems to be tackled as altering the scrummaging technique and changing lineout taetics to offset the harrassing work of the opposing loose forwards. On the form shown in the last two matches, the All Blacks appear to have mastered these problems and thus may be moving forward to a happier and more fruitful period. For this the.greatest credit is due to the coach and leaders of'

the team, and thanks are also due to Danie Craven 'for his fine sports•manship in giving the All Blacks -a talk on the flner points of scrummaging as , seen from the South African angle. Today the All Blacks set out to rectify weaknesses in their -scrum- j maging of the second speil on Saturday. The results were remarkably goo'd. Changes In Position. A change was made in the front row, Simpson going to the loose head side. The powerful Aucklander is now at the peak of his form and in the new technique of hooking the call it is essential to have a player o4 his type and experience to support Catley. Simpson will occupy the loose head position in the test on Saturday. Skinner went well as tight head in the front row. He' has been playing such fine footba'l lately that his claims for inclusion in the tes'; side were strong. The backs today retained their.- 4 deeper position of last Saturday "• and concentrated on swift passing . -'rushes.