ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1928, Page 3

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

SOUTH AFRICAN RULING ‘j ON SCRUM STRATEGY. (Special to Press Association). •Received this day at 8.50 a.m.5 POUT ELIZABETH, Aug. 18. 'Hie Rules Committee of the South African Rugby Board, replying to a query by Tlioo Pienaar (Manager of the Springbok team) regarding the leaglity of scrumming strategy, adopted by Stewart in the second test, have issued an extensive ruling, the main point of which is that a forward must not advance or put his foot in front of his other front row forwards, and that tlie normal stance of the forwards is the guiding factor.

THE THIRD TEST

ie fßeceived this day at, 9.30 a.m.) f PORT ELIZABETH, Aug. 17. 8 Interesting comment is made by ■' South African critics on the prospects for the third test. ■ v IT- B. Keartland writing in the Johannesburg “Star” said the tend--11 cncv of modern test match cricket to c play for safety appears to have spread 0 to the Rugby game. How else can a one account for the omission of 1 the clever Mark Nioholls from the \ All Blacks side for Johnson, whose f worth is confined to his solidity. The tourists, in the choice of players have 8 Undoubtedly .pinned their faith in s their impregnable defe'nce. It re--1 mains to he seen whether the brilliant individualism of Bennie Osier. be- ' hind what is likely to prove a great scrummaging pack, can 1 find an opening. Both countries • have fielded greater sides hut none ’ imbued with a keener resolve to carry ' off the honours of ttie critical game. H. Dup Stevther writing in the “Di Burger" said “Through Slater being dropped the optimism which prevailed that South Africa would win tin* third test Ims somewhat waned. This in my opinion is solely due to the fact that Oegnngh. his substitute, is little known. Playing for the Currie Cup in 1925, Degangh struck brilliant form hut since then lie has disappeared from the public eve. and has only lately come hack to form. As one who has played with Degangh, however, T consider that if there is a match winning back on the field it will be the South Africans new wing. With a remarkable turn of speed and a quick

sidestep and a very accurate crosskick. Degangh is a determined winger and a corner will have to be very narrow indeed where he will not crash over. It is amongst the forwards, however, that the match will be lost and won, and there I consider that the Springboks will predominate, because their shoving power is superior to that of the All Blacks. Port Elizabeth is considered South Africa’s unlucky ground, just as everybody thought a "Springbok side could not lose at Johannesburg. Saturday will see another tradition shattered. F. M. Howard in the “Cape Times” says this is undoubtedly the most critical, vital match of the whole tour. The defeat for either of the contestants, means that that country’s chance has finally gone by, of winning the rubber outright. A draw would still leave the position all square and the ultimate decision rest on the match at Capetown, but a victory in the rubber by two wins to one and one drawn game would not look half as convincing as a clear-cut three to one triumph. Each side therefore will strain every nerve and sinew to-morrow. To make certain of victory at Port Elizabeth, to ray mind, the New Zealanders in deliberately discarding Mark Nicholls, who lias at last found his best (form, lor A. Johnson, who is undoubtedly stale, an,] who has but little experience as second five-eighths, has thrown away her best chance of success, but f still think that South Africa will predominate to a very considerable extent forward, and that only by a superior thrust and attacking power outside can the All Blacks really hope to win. Neither Johnson nor Carleton can possibly be regarded ns even really good attacking players, and to Lilburne alone will be left the entire brunt of breaking, and of the real thrust. Mark Nicholls’ omission probably means just the difference bo-, tween victory and defeat for his side.