ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

THIRD TEST TEAMS. NICHOLLS OMITTED. THE ALL BLACKS SIDE. (Special to Press Association). (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.)PORT ELIZABETH, August 16. The New Zealand test team will consist of: Lindsay Bobilliard Carlton Grenside Johnson Lilburne Dailey Stewart t Swain Hadley M. Brownlie Alley Finlayson Hazlett McWilliams The only change from the second test side is the inclusion of Lilburne as first five-eighths instead of Strang. SURPRISE EXPRESSED.

It would appear that a tactical blunder has been made by the Selection Committee in excluding Nicliolls. Jr the last three games he lias given the best exhibition of five-eighths play on tbe tour. He staged a fine comeback, yet has been dropped for Johnson, who in his last three matches, has gone off, Johnson has played only one game at second five-eighths on the tour, and that was a poor exhibition. His defence is always sound. It would appear that it is on that quality lie has been chosen. Robilliard, who has not shown Ins true form once on the tour, has been put in ahead of Lucas who has been playing good football. It is plain that the backs have been chosen for ability on defence rather than for good attack. There are no surprises among the forwards. The pack is probably the best that the New Zealanders can field.

SPRINGBOK REJOICING. There was rejoicing in tlie Springbok camp when it was learned that Nicliolls was not playing in the test. Gerhard Morkel, the famous 1921 Springbok full-back, writing in “ Outspan ” said it was beyond bis comprehension why Mark Nicliolls was left out of the international matches. THE AFRICAN SIDE. The Springbok team will he: Tindall Dejongli Rousseau Vadevwesthuizon [Brand Bennie Osier, Devilliers Mostert, Daniel, Boy Louw Vandruten, Oliver, Pretorius, Dutoit. The Springbok selectors notify that the team is liable to changes in the event of wet weather. The greatest surprise is the omission of Slater, as wing-three-quarter, who in the trial match yesterday was outstanding. He showed himself as-afc-brilliant scoring man. Dejough, the new wing, previously represented Western Provinces. He did not impress at practice. Dutoit, Louw and Oliver are three vigorous young forwards, averaging 15 stone. Evidently their inclusion indicates that the Springboks are concentrating on obtaining possession from the scrums. All the hacks are Western Province players who knoweach other’s play intimately. There are five new caps in the side, namely: Dejongli, Rousseau, Oliver, Dutoit, Boy Louw. Rousseau is a clever centre who won the match for Western Province town side against the All Blacks by a potted goal.