WHAT WEAKNESSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 113, 29 May 1937, Page 17

WHAT WEAKNESSES

IHE SPRINGBOK TEAM A SOUTH AFRICAN 0PINI0N , BRILLIANT HALF AND FULL > MAGNIFICENT FORWARDS The Sprlngboks Rugby Union team left Capetown on May 14, and will reach Fremantle by the end of the month. They are bringing with them resplendent bdbquets from their compatrlots as to their standing . as players, their possibilities in the international matches and their deelre to play attractive Rugby. If they live up to this they will give Australia and New Zealand torrid games, and provide the football public with thrilling things. But the centres and fiveeighths are doubtfuL A ,very valued Rugby friend ih Soutli Africa, who is a shrewd judge, and has seen football at its best in this country (both Union and League), and also knows the quality and stern character of the New Zealanders' best Rugby, sends the following: "The South African tria'ls revealed magnificent Rugby and I consider that with the exception of the selection of Philip .Nel, the captain, the selectors have finalised their task admirably. Some splendid players will be left behind. Nevertheless, the 29 selected represent the cream of the talent available, with the exception of Frank Waring, who was unable to mak% the trip. "A vefy fine international team could be selected from those left behind, and you will gather from this, that the talent available was remarkable. "My summary of the players selected is as follows: — "1. At full-back — brilliant. "2. At wing three-quarter— very . good. "3. At centre — good, with spasmodic brilliance. "4. At flve-eighth — only moderate, with prospects of - progressive improvement. *= "5. At scrum-half— brilliant. "6. At forward — magnificent. "I guarantee that you will eventually wrjte that you have never reviewed a finer pack of forwards,

Union or League, during the many years covering your distinguished career as a Rugby critic." All Should Note It. My friend indicates that the South African forwards will be magnificent in their: all-round strength, the. best seen for many years, the Referee critic continues. The writer suggests that they will be at least as powerful as the 1903 All Blacks, who were champions in the scrummage, champions on the line-out, champions • in the ruck; champions in mobility, and in short passing on attack. Are we to see a set of forwards comparable in all-round science, mobility, and unity, \yith those valiants? At scrum-half and full-back? the Springboks will be served briliiantiy. At five-eighth only moderately, and the three-quarter line not outstanding." This is most interesting and informative. It should be carefully noted by Australian and New Zealand players. It; may. help them to concentrate on the strength and weakne?s (if any) of the' invading. Captain Aged 85! Philip Jacobus Nel has a wonderful Rugby record. ,He played his first Provincial game at the age of 17, and has been in the forefront of S.A. Rugby for 18 years, playing against the -British team of 1924, and All Blacks in 1928; toured Britain 1931-32/ and played in four of the five Tests against the .Wallabies in 1933. The foregoing is published in Johanncsburg. It creates an idea that the Springbok captain, at 35 years of age, may have passed his prime. If he. has not dqne so, he is a Rugbyp'laying miracle. Australian Itinerary. The Springboks' itinerary in Australia is as follows: — Monday, May 31, arrive at Fre-' mantle, v. Western Australia at Perth, same day; Saturday, June 5 v. South Australia, at Adelaide; Monday, June 7, arrive in Melbourne; Saturday, June 12 v. Victoria, at Melbourne; Wedncsday, June 16 v. Combined West, at Orange; Thursday, June 17; arrive, in Sydney; Saturday, June 19, v. New South Wales, at Sydney; Saturday, June 26, v. Australia (first test), at Sydney; Wednesday, June 30, v. Newcastle, at Newcastle; Saturday, July 3, v. Australian Fifteen, at Brisbane; Wednesday, July 7, v. Toowoomba, at Toowoomba; Saturday, July 10, v.- Queensland, at Brisbane; Saturday, July 17, v? Australia (second test), at Sydney, dej>#|t Jpr New Zealand in the eveuing, -