RECORD GATE TAKINGS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 August 1949, Page 5

RECORD GATE TAKINGS

(N.Z.P.A.-

— Reuter.

Test Provxded Cost Of All Blacks' Tour

Co^yrwhtr

ixeceived Monday, ti a.rn. dOJciANNEBBUltG, Aug. 14, The gross taxmgs for Saturday's seeond test at Enis Park were reported to be £29,bU0, the greatest cash receipts ;in the history of the 6t>.me in South Airica. Of this amount £19,5U0 was taken in the yxo-niatch booking and £10,000 at the gates. Tnis hgure exceeds the totai cost Qf the tQUf tp the South Airican Rugby Board. South Airican newspapers' and special commentators are unanimous that the All Blacks lost any chance they may have had through the sluggishness of ■ the forwards and slow service ta'the backs. Fonvards Lackecl Dash. Mr. "Louis Barrow stated: "The All Black forwards appeared to lack the dash and flre which charj acterised their play at Newlands. We saw little of the intensiver backing-up which is typical of their piay. Savage played braveiy but took tremendous punisliment, and his service to Kearney was slow though this was often due to slow heeling frnm the scrums. Kearney, as a result, had little room wherein move and the New Zealand backs rarely-looked dangerous." Mr. Tony Harris said: "The Springboks won on their riierits. They paved the way for theii backs. Qn the other hand, there was no zest in tlie play of the New Zealand paok and the backs weri hampered by slow service. This lack of dash amor.g the New Zealand forwards nonpiussed the team and all observers. The only possible exp.anatian is the effect Qf the altitude on the players and the intense dry climate. Was Gasping For Breath. Jack McNab, probably the fittest member of the side, who neither drinks nor smokes and gives tht utmost attention to training, said after Saturday: "I cannot understand it. There were times on Saturday when I was gasping for breath. I was nowhere near as fit as I was in New Zealand last season yet I have trained just as hard." Several members of the test side left this morning with the co^ manager, Mr. Alec McDonald, for the game reserve for a short visit. The foliowing will be the All Black team against Northern Universities in Pretoria on Wednesday: J. W. Goddard, Botting, M. P. Goddard, Meates, Elvidge, Delamore, Conrad, Simpson, Wilson, Dalton, Crowley, Harvey, McHugh. Tliornton and Christian.