RUGBY FOOTBALL THE ALL BLACKS

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1948, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL THE ALL BLACKS

NOTES ON TEAM

New Zealand has no counterpart at the moment to the mercurial A. E. Cooke, who, 21 years ago, was available for selection one day and a non-starter the next. Finally selected, he withdrew a few weeks later. Every player required by the selectors has (so far, at least) been able to accept the invitation. A year ago it looked is if some of those required would be unable to travel. Of the 30 men selected, nine were members of the Kiwi team, two more were in the New Zealand Services team, and 12 went to Australia with the All Elacks last year. Only two are as young as 20 years, and 21 of them have either reached or passed the age of 25. It is expected that the forwards will have to bear the brunt of the wear and tear in South Africa, and they appear to be well equipped for that purpose. Most of them have proved to be strong and durable. The forwards are lean and hard. There does not appear to be one who might be in danger of running to flabbiness either aboard ship or in the event of missing two or three successive matches on the tour. Two of the players who were on most people’s lips while the selection was being discussed during the, weekend were G. W. Delamore (for his selection) and G. F. Henderson (for his omission). If there is uncertainty as to whether Delamore was lucky to get in there is next to none on the ouestion of Henderson being unlucky. Point is given to this impression by the fact that the selection of three first live-eighths—the only department of the team in which a position was more than duplicated—left room for only 15 forwards. And it was in Henderson's sector that a forward was left out; there are only three side-row forwards in the team. The tour may well show that Mr V. G. Cavanagh, Otago’s forward coach, has done a great job for New Zealand Rugby by training his men to ruck and scrummage and co-oper-ate in the line-outs as his men do. Springbok beef may tell its tale, but the Otago men, together with such powerful toilers as M. J. McHugh and H. F. Fraser, promise to be 'harder to shift than any New Zealand pack yet put down against opponents from South Africa or anywhere else.

Of the half-backs, who offer a marked contrast in size, it can only be hoped that their present reasonable efficiency will develop. The live five-eighths should all be capable of doing a good job but the situation at centre three-quarter is not nearly so satisfying. M. F. Goddard, though brilliant in many respects, scarcely fulfils all the specifications of a Test centre, while R. R. Elvidge has clearly been picked as a centre instead of second fiveeighth only because no other companion for Goddard has presented himself. On the wings, much will depend upon whether W. G. Argus can retain his best form and whether P. Henderson will continue to develop as he has done in the past two seasons. W. A. Meat.es and E. G. Boggs are both strong and determined players. R. W. H. Scott ensures that the tourists will have at least one really first class full-back, while the display given by J. W. Goddard on Saturday did much to relieve earlier fears that the drop from Scott to the next best would be altogether too sharp. For every player included among the 30 selected for the Rugby tour of South Africa next year the name of another as an alternative choice appears on a list held by the chairman of the selection committee (Mr A. McDonald). He said the step had been taken as a precaution against a mishap to any of the players, whose names were announced on Saturday. Should a gap occur, it would be possible to fill it without having to summon Mr N. A. McKenzie from Napier, and Mr H. S. Strang from Invercargill. The names of the reserve players will not be made public, but the fact that they have been sorted out should serve as a reminder—if any is needed —that the selected members of the team will be well advised to look after themselves until the sailing date.

All the players will be required to undergo a medical examination before leaving. One, whose selection was especially popular among his fellow-players was D. L. Christian, the Auckland frontrow forward. Those who know Christian’s football history are aware that he has been among the nearmisses when All Black honours have been handed out in the past. They also appreciate that he has stuck by the Otahuhu Club through thick and thin, first division and second division.

Mr McDonald made little secret of the fact that the finding of suitable back-row forwards had caused the selectors some concern. “There just isn’t an Ernie Todd in the country to-day,” he said. Mr McDonald said that he expected the players to average half a stone heavier by the time they reached Africa. “I am satisfied that we have selected no ‘duds’,” said Mr McDonald, “and I think that several of the players will come back much better than they are now.” Mr McDonald indicated that he had no fear that the extra poundage would comprise useless fat. The players had just finished a hard and gruelling season and many of them would be all the better for a few pounds of firm flesh. The selector expressed full confidence! in the forwards. “We will no longer be at a disadvantage in respect to the 3-4-1 scrum which has handicapned us against the Springboks in the past,” he said. “We can.

The members of the New Zealand Rugby football team which is to tour South Africa next year are named below, together with their unions, ages, heights, weights and occupations.

now use it just as well as they can, and our chances should be all the better for that.” Another criticism of New Zealand forwards which has been heard in the past is not anticipated in this instance—at least not to the same extent. This is in respect to failure to pack low and vigorously in the scrums and rucks. On what was seen in the trials, Mr McDonald is condent that the All Black forwards will do their tight work well. Mr McDonald appreciates that an international forward should be able to do more than throw his weight into the tight play and bury himself. He has always had a preference for the all-round forward rather than the one who is an expert only over a limited range. He feels sure that some of the Otago rucking specialists will learn to vary and expand their play, so that- they can play their part in the open when necessary. . One thing the tourists would nave to do, added Mr McDonald, would be to develop a third hooker. The selectors had not felt inclined to send three hookers if it meant including a player who w-as nothing more than a hooker. Nevertheless more than two would probably be needed and steps would have to be taken to train one of the other forwards as a reserve.

AH Biacks May Not Use Traditional Haka DUNEDIN, Oct. 7. A repercussion from the recent controversy regarding the exclusion of Maoris from the New Zealand Rugby team for South Africa next year may result in the team not using a haka while overseas. Through the years a haka has become* part and ’parcel of the activities of any representative team from New Zealand and has found tremendous favour in other countries, but Mr W. T. Parata, chairman of the Maori Advisory Board, said this morning that at its next meeting the board would probable suggest to the New Zealand Rugby Union that a haka should not be used. The haka was sacred to the Maoris he said, and was used only on ceremonial occasions. The advisory board was also rather upset because the Maori team which visited Fiji this year had not been allowed to wear the silver fern, which, as the national emblem, could be worn by any representative body, added Mr Parata. The board intended to take the inatter up with the New Zealand union.

Ex-All Black Advocates Use Of Dinner Suits AUCKLAND, Oct. 7. Dinner suits are essential for an All Black on tour overseas, said Mr 1-1. F. McLean, who toured Great Britain with the 1935 team, commenting to-day on the Rugby Union's decision not to provide dress suits for the South African tour. “On the 1935 tour we wore dinner jackets practically every night,” he said. “Restricting the 1949 players to blazers will have the effect of completely tying them to official functions.” Mr McLean added that South African cabarets and night clubs were unlikely to waive their rules regarding formal dress. He thought that every member of the 1949 team would be wise to take a dinner jacket. When the 1935 team were in Britain members heard that the 1924 team could not attend many social functions because the players did not have dinner clothes. TEAM' FOR R.S.A. MATCH The following will represent the Greymouth R.S.A. in the annual match against Hokitika R.S.A. for the Alamein Shield: A. Agnew (manager), A. Glen (cant.), D. Dewar (vice-capt.), W. Vincent, D. Kirk, Hill, Martyn, Rochford, McGinley, Mettrick, Lawson, Newton, Lee, Curnow, L. Sweetman, R. Bunt, A. Fong, J. Hooper, J. Smith, R. Hamilton, J. D. Anderson, C. Hunter, Morgan, Tinnelly, D, Wilson, W. Wilson, Panther, Tucker, Richardson. (All R.S.A. men invited to attend. Telephone T. P. Ryan 10, J. Johnston 64 or R.S.A. office. Bus leaves P.O. at 1 p.m.).

Page ' The Grey River Argus, THE TURF Saturday, October 9, 1948. IMITCHELSON CUP Form Points to Kartikeya In Teschemaker Handicap If Kartikeya repeats his Ashburton form he should go close to winning the Teschemaker Handicap, the big race of the day at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting to-mor-on the tracks of late, and he prorow. The Finis horse has done well mises to be a pronounced favourite. The Washdyke course is reported to be in excellent order, conditions which may suit the following:— Otaio Hurdles: Lord Broiefort, Reorapa, Big Top. Spring Stakes: Courier, Pedas, GOLF N.Z. Women’s Open Championship PALMERSTON N., Oct. 8 RUGBY FOOTBALL Indigo in Favour For Forbury Park MAY fiO TO DOUBLE CHANCE I HL ALL DLRtEJ The members of the New Zealand Rugby football team which is to tour South Africa next year are named below, together with their unions, ages, heights, weights and occupations. A small field will go to the post in the King George Handicap, principal event on the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s first day card, in which Indigo is likely to be the elect of backers. All of the other races have filled well, and under the win and place system of betting the following horses may come in for support:— Big fields are carded for the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting, which opens at Ellerslie to-day. l\o doubt speculation will take a wide range in the Mitchelson Cup, but a trio that may fight out the finish are Double Chance, Valley Boy and Oaklahoma. Judging on the manner ni which he won the Avondale Guineas, Tauloch, which has done well m the interim, should prove the hardest to beat in the Great Northern Guineas. Northern track watchers have a good w§rd fo? Ozami, which did well as a two-year-old, and the son of Nizami may provide most opposition to Tau loch. Horses in form include:— Cool, blusterly conditions prevailed when match play in the New Zealand women’s golf championships at Mokowhitu was commenced this morning. Results were:—• Mrs j. B. Hatrick (Miramar) beat Miss C. Harvc (Omakau), 4 and 3. Mrs G. W. Hollis (Titirangi) beat Miss M. McIntyre (Wanganui), 4 anu 3. Mrs R. S. Hawkes (Timaru) beat Mrs A. B. Marshall (Miramar), 8 and J. R. W. E. P. W R. M. FULL-BACKS W. GODDARD (Sth. Canterbury) V/. H. SCOTT (Auckland) WING-THREE-QUARTERS G. ARGUS (Canterbury) G. BOGGS (Auckland) HENDERSON (Wanganui) A. ME ATES (Otago) CENTRE-THREE-QUARTERS R EL VIDGE (Otago) Years 28 26 Years 27 26 22 25 Years 25 ft. 5 5 ft. G 5 5 6 ft. 5 in 9 10 in li 11 71 0 in 11 st 11 12 st 12 12 12 12 st 12 lb 8 lb 12 12 10 10 lb 12 Panel Beater Intr. decorator Orchardist Schoolteacher Dental mech. Schoolteacher Med. student Bayfield Handicap: Single Task, Passive, Barrier’ Reef. P. GODDARD (Sth. Canterbury) SECOND FIVE-EIGHTHS 26 Years 5 ft. 91 in 12 st 0 lb Furrier St. Clair Handicap: 1st Div: Perpetua, Aqua Lady. 2nd Div: Tekau, Mobile Globe. Southland Handicap: Gay • Piper, Whipster, Marcia. King George Handicap: Indigo, Winchester Trot: Special Match, Sure Nut, Final Return. Teschemaker Handicap: Kartikeya, Coral Arc, Clyde Bridge. Taiko Hack: Flying Sovereign, Chaffinch, Grtyat Victory. Mrs R. C. Hodges (Auckland) beat Miss I. Jepson (Wanganui;, o and 1. Mrs C. McCormick (New Plymouth) beat Miss E. M. Nutt (Christchurch), at the 19th. Miss K. Rutherford (Christchurch) beat Mrs W. J. Ellison F. K. N. G. J. R. ALLEN (Auckland) E. GUDSELL (Wanganui) FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS H. BLACK (Auckland) W. DELAMORE (Wellington)... C. KEARNEY (Otago) 28 23 Years 23 28 28 b 5 ft. 5 5 5 10 9 in 61 61 8 12 12 st 11 10 11 4 12 lb 0 12 5 Coy. director Student Wool Classer Physical Instr. Farmer Special Force, Dragoman. Freyberg Handicap: Billy MeGordon Hack Handicap: 1st Div. Rare Fox, Kind Regards. 2nd Div. Flying Handicap: Citril, Top Deck, Julius Caesar. W HALF-BACKS J. M. C-ONRAD (Waikato) Years 723 ft. 5 in 9 st 12 lb 13 Civil servant Elwyn, Mamanuas, Swanee River. Vice Chancellor, Akbar. Hadlow Trot: Mystery Dillon, Great L. T. SAVAGE (Canterbury) 20 0 6 10 7 Student Peninsula Handicap: On Approval, Trial Hack Hurdles: Master Ted, Wonder, Kildare. Mrs C. N. Jacobsen (Auckland) BACK-ROW FORWARDS Years ft. in st lb Farmer Belmont Hall, Wedding Ring. Flying Jim, Bronze Pay. Kerrvtown Hack: Corofin, Loch beat Mrs J. Topliss (Nelson), 3 and L. A. GRANT (South Canterbury) . 25 6 2 14 0 Dominion Handicap: Scholarship, Sea Craft, Tam o’ Shanter. Great Northern Guineas. Tauluch, Ozami, Beau Conte. Lennox, Marut. 2. Mrs J. Cliff (Manawatu) beat Mrs N. H. THORNTON (Auckland) ... SIDE-ROW FORWARDS 29 Years 6 £L 11 14 2 lb Schoolteacher — ■ ——————— — Meat grader Carpenter Flying Handicap: Henry of Navarre, Positive. Follow Me. Shorts Handicap: Master Coronach, Coonbridge, Contango. SOCCER NOTES A. McFayden (Eltham), 7 and 6. Miss H. Buchanan (Christchurch) P. P. J. CROWLEY (Auckland) A. JOHNSTONE (Otago) 24 26 6 6 2 0 14 13 10 7 11.0: Bayfield Handicap, of £350, 11 miles, —Oriental Boy (1), Single 'task (4), Sure Peg (3), latsyciaie (2), scr; Passive (1), Silver Volo (2), Sure Jinks (3) 12; Barrier Reef (2), Black Forest (3), Mack Sure (1), Mosquito (4) 24; Fiances Grattan (3;, Pay Boy (2), Voco Power (1), 36; Bingen Dale 72. 1145’ St Clair Handicap, of £450; 11 Mitchelson Cup: Double Chance, beat Miss C. Smith (Invercargill), 4 J. R. McNAB (Otago) 24 6 0 14 0 Farmer Valiev Boy, Oaklahoma. Hunters’ Steeplechase: Hunting The visit of the undefeated Buller and 3. LOCKS Years ft. in st lb Carpenter Soccer champion team to the GreyMrs G. Champan (Napier) beat H. F. FRAZER (Hawke’s Bay) 32 6 1 15 0 Dink, Flving Attack, Murphy. Welcome Stakes: 1st Div: Lady mouth district last week-end aroused Mrs B. H. Chapman (New PlyL. R. HARVEY (Otago) 29 6 2S 14 12 Farmer considerable interest. Two games were mouth). 4 and 3. M. J. McHUGH (Auckland) 31 6 1 14 12 Carrier Zenib, Gold Script. 2nd Div. Deneplayed, one at Greymouth on SaturMrs N. Towler (Waimarino) beat C. WILLOCKS (Otago) 29 6 1 14 3 Farmer bridge. Gay Cushla. Flving Handicap: 1st Div: Aylesbury Wonder Boy. 2nd Div. Petei day and the other at Ngahere on Sunday. In' the former game Denniston met a combination of three teams Mrs M. Clachan (Miramar) 2 and 1. Miss J. Duncan (Wanganui) beat E. N. HOOKERS H. CATLEY (Waikato) L. WILSON (Otago) It ears 32 25 ft. 6 5 in 0 11 St 14 13 lb 2 5 Farmer Student Nelson, Aggravation. Greymouth, Cobden and Taylorville, Mrs J. E. Salisbury (Invercargill), FRONT-ROW FORWARDS Years ft. in st lb Warehouseman Coy. manager Storeman miles, lirst division. —Aqua Lady (9), Double Dillon (1), Emondale (2), PiGordon Handicap, of £750 £9a0 if run in two divisions); one mile. H3) d 8 9 Rare Fox (10) 8.8; Lachatrey ni 8 6- Dakota (16) 8.1; Hallaview (19) 8 (18) T12, Man1991 7 11: Regal Gold (20) 7.J, and suffered defeat by five goals to two, after quite a good game. The second game, at Ngahere was lost by 5 and 3. Miss A. Prichard (New Plymouth) beat Mrs L. I. Day (Hamilton), 5 D. R. J. L. CHRISTIAN (Auckland) A. DALTON (Otago) G. SIMPSON (Auckland) 24 29 26 0 5 6 11 11 0 13 14 14 10 8 11 ista (.8), Noble Jack (4), Perpetua (3), Sir Gamble (7) scr; Avon Hall (2), French Gold (1), Glengarry (3), Margaret Logan (4) 12; Lucky Fellow, 24. St Clair Handicap, second division. two goals to one. Supporters _ who saw both games said that the visitors displayed real ability against two strong sides, which included several West' Coast representatives and that and o. . Mrs P. Andrew (Titirangi) beat Mrs J. Dolan (Otago), 5 and 3. Mrs P. R. Glanville (Hamilton) beat Mrs L. R. Curtis (New Plymouth), 5 and 3. K. L. SKINNER (Otago) THE AVERAGES ' BACKS 20 Years 25 6 ft. 5 01 in 81 14 st 12 7 lb Grocer FORWARDS 27 6 01 14 4 TEAM 26 5 10 13 3