FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1928, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

Two important matches of special interest are set down for to-morrow. At Durban the All Blacks meet South Africa in,the First Test, and judging from the cabled reports South Africa •appear to bo very certain of being able to lower the colors of the New Zealanders. Tlio African forwards are a hefty lot and in their hands lay Africa’s chance of victory, it being generally agreed that tlie All Black backs are the bitter lot. When the All Black team left New Zealand it was generally agreed that the forwards were about the finest combination that had ever left these shores, so that it is hard to understand why there should be such an apparent difference in the quality of the play of the two teams. Un the face of it there appears to bo nothing to warrant the view of marked superiority. The All Blacks’ play well when up against it, and as they lmve had some time-now in Africa they should have been enabled to find their feet and form. The game apparently is going to be a bard fought ono-nnd the margin either way should not bo a large one.

Tlio other game of special interest is the first inter-Coast game, which takes place at Victoria Park, Greymouth tomorrow afternoon, when representatives of Buller and AVext Const meet. The Const team has twelve players drawn from the two Hokitika Clubs, so that this end of the district is exceedingly well treated. It remains for the players themselves to prove byriheir display that the .confidence was merited; There should be a, fair amount of combination among the Const hacks, and if the forwards can secure ‘he hall, there should be the opportunity of providing a fast open game. The forwards aro a heavy lot and faif’y fast, hut one feature nrto’i"- several of them is a failure n+ times to tnc’-’e properly in their endeavour to stop the opening out of play, a failure + l --

<#in easily lead to disaster. T'l-h game should prove an interesting one, the Buller team enuring down with a reputation and, will to take back the honours.

The following will represent Arn-hui-a 3rd. grade in their match with school at Arnlitira on Saturday:—Dale. Jellio, George, Agnew. Ma-on. Tainiii, Boyd, Williams, Muir, Edwards, Cook, Olsen. Kerr, Tv cog an, Tainni. Emeri’;: Ackers, Tainni, Olsen, Spence and Konev.