ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

THIRD TEST. - THE SPRINGBOK SELECTION. COMMENT ON BORDER MATCH. (Special to Press Association). (Received this day at 9.30 a.m). EAST LONDON, August 6. Twenty-one Springboks have been chosen to train for the third test, — Tindall, Brand, Slater, S. Osier, Vander, AYest, Hutson, Gienaar, Rosseau, Bennie Osier, Devilliers, Mosteit, A r anwyk, Daneel, Prctorius, A’and niton, Nel Du toft, “Boy” Louw, Dold, Visser Geyser and Oliver. South African critics are greatly surprised at the non-inclusion of Kruger, tho veteran Springbok hooker, who lias represented South Africa in every international since 1921. This,elimination marks the passing of one of tho greatest modern forwards. Presumably Mostert will occupy the role ol hooker in the third test. Devine, who is generally regarded as the outstanding scrum half, has also incurred the displeasure of the selectors over his indifferent display in the second test, when he was unfit. De Villiers, whose combination with Bennie Osier was a feature of the first test, will again be associated with him. It is expected that three new young forwards will he capped. There are doubts about Vandruten, who had Ins nose fractured at Pretoria. Commenting oil the first Border match, H. B. Keartland in the Johannesburg “Star,” said: “ Mark Nicholls improvement made a vast difference to the side, insofar as we saw how effective Ids famous penetrating central thrust can he, when properly executed. In most of their previous match, the tourists had mainly relied on the orthodox movement to the wing, which against strong opposition heat itself out against the defence, hut on Saturday, Lilburne and Nieholls made their thrusts in the centre, and hacked up as they were by both forwards an hacks their ingenuity completely baffled the defence; and we saw New Zealand hack play at its best.” „ H. Du P. Ste.vler in “Hie Burger, said: “The match was one in which the All Blacks were fully extended m the first half, Border putting up a good light. They were extremely dangerous on a couple of occasions. 1 here was a palpable weakness at fly hall. In the second half, the superiority o the All Blacks, especially the brilliant work of Nieholls, caused a breakdown in the Border defence, and they were notable to cope with the sparkling movements of the New Zealanders. The play somewhat degenerated in the closing stages and Border could not stand up to the pace they set at the start.” _