THIRD RUGBY TEST

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1930, Page 2

THIRD RUGBY TEST

DECIDING MATCH. EQUAL POINTS SCORED SO FAR. Nmv .that the tally is one each for the tests between the touring British Rugby side and the All Bracks, the third encounter of which takes place at on Saturday, will be looked forward to with the very keenest interest. Many have said that New Zealand football is on the decline, and with this young and keen side in the Dominion, our stalwarts have an excellent opportunity to prove that that is not the case. In tiie first test at Dunedin Britain won [by (j to 3. .In the second at Christchurch, New Zealand took the game by 13 to 10, and thus not only are the teams even as far as the games are..concerned, but also as far as the actual points scored—sixteen each. New Zealand lias lost to Australia in a test series, and drawn two series with South Africa, but never has she had to yield the palm to Britain. In both games to date, though there has been very little difference between the sides, it has been quite apparent, that the New Zealanders have had many weaknesses, and that u fast and Wvl 1-combined side like the British players have an excellent chance- to win the rubber. On the other hand, the visitors have had the severe handicap of losing several of their best men through injuries. Murray and Sobey, two'of their brightest and most reliable backs, will probably not play again ou the tour. LITTLE: NEW BLOOD. Many followers of the game in New Zealand are convinced that there are players in the country who could put up better performances than those chosen for the te.st teams to date, ibu.t so far the selectors have drawn in little .new blood, and, in the third test also it looks, as if the old stagers-will have to wage the country’s Rugby; war yet again. . ,:' J The significance of the coming, test is very gj ©at. The side that loses will have nothing to win the last test, and everything to lose. . Their best hope will be for a ’draw on the rubber, -whii©. the,^others; wifi be going ‘{eyes 1 oht’o for win on the series.'.. ; ; / In one sense, that point is against the four test series instead of the three, but on the'other hand the four tests enable each big centre to see one played, and the result is fairer to the Rugby enthusiasts. Nearly everyone in the Dominion has the opportunity of . Seeing a test. AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA. When the Springboks toured Now Zealand in 1921 there were three tests, and still the rubber was drawn. New Zealand won by 13 to 5 in Dunedin, then the visitors had a 9 to 5 win at Auckland. The third and final test was played at Wellington in a sea of mud, and neither side could score. On-the, return visit in 1928, the first test was a crushing defeat for ‘New Zealand, the Springboks winnings by 17 to nil. In spite of that, New Zealand snatched a 7-b victory in the second meeting. Another defeat came New Zealand’s way in the third, the score being 11 to 6 against. , Then, in the fourth meeting, the visiting AJI Blacks justified their supporters’ hopes, running out comfortable winners by 13 to 5, the same score as that in the first test in Dunedin seven years before. Last season the All Blacks took three defeats from Australia, and everyone thought that New Zealand’s Rugby day was done. Now, with a strong British team on tour, everyone is looking with great expectancy to the third and crucial test. Should Britain win, in spite of their disabilities in. the way of injured players, they will have set up a record that any team might envy, for New has never Teen beaten in a test series in this, country. BRITISH TEAM. FOR THE THIRD TEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association). ROTORUA, July 21. The British team for the third test on Saturday at Auckland will be the same as for the second test, with one exception. It is as follows: Bassett, Morley, Aarvold, Bowcott, Reeve, Spong, Poole, Row, Parker, O’Neill, . Black, Farrell, Hodgson, Beamish, Ivor Jones. The only change is that Poole plays at scrum half instead of Murray. Reeve and Spong are still showing signs of injury. The team are now resting, and there will bo a practice to-morrow. Both Murray and Sobey have resumed training and may play in the fourth test. ' Mr S. Hollander, of Christchurch, will again be the Test referee on Saturday.