FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2303, 16 July 1921, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The “Chronicle” publishes some comments on the Springbok-Wanga-nui match by the Springbok captain :

“It was a clean, hard game,” was what Mr T: B. Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks, had so say of the match. “I took de Koch’s place at half, after he was hurt, and I can tell you that I still feel the effects of going down to stop those hard forward rushes so often made by your men. The loss of de Koch upset our combination greatly, as lie and Michan are club mates, and they understand each other’s play perfectly. We enjoyed the game immensely. We liked your ground, the friendly reception we got from the spectators, and the able manner in which the refereeing was done. Your grounds are very different to ours. The Johannesburg ground, for instance, is so hard that it bus to be ploughed up every now and (hen, and watered and rolled. It is either as hard as brick or soft as sand, with clouds of dust choking the players. “We expected tough games in New Zealand, and we certainly got one this afternoon.” Mr Pienaar has represented the Western Provinces since 1914, and is a fine "stamp of player, as he proved by bis versatility yesterday, in playing equally well at forward and halfback.

J. W. Van Rooycn, of the Transvaal, a. gentle Springbok forward, who stands Gft. 1-Jin. high, and scales a little matter of 15sl. lOlbs., was also highly delighted with the game yesterday. “Wo enjoyed it thoroughly,” remarked the Transvaal giant. “It was the kind of play.we have been used to —clean, hard, and in the very best oi‘ spirit. We found the play very rough in Australia, and not at all to our liking. We felt the loss of do Kock very much yesterday, as, outside New Zealand, he is acknowledged to he the best outside half in the world. We played our best halves yesterday, but- had not our strongest throe-quarter line out. Our hacks will he much stronger when we play the two crack centres, Meyer arid Clarkson, with Harry Morkel and van Heerden on the wings. “I suppose most of your team are college men,” remarked the reporter.

“Oh, dear no,” replied van Roo\en: “do not run away with that idea. Many of us arc milters. I am a miner myself. Our team is made up from men in all walks of life, and we are a very happy family. From the very generous welcome you gave us to-day and the hospitality which iuis been extended t>> us. we feel I bat we are going to thoroughly enjoy our first visit to New Zealand.

AN ALL-BLACK'S VIEWS

' Interviewed after the game, Mr G. Glasgow, a member of the original All Black team, said: “One thing that I noticed was that their forwards tired badly in the second spell. Some of their backs kicked with tremendous power, but I consider that the inside men lacked initiative in attack. 1 he forwards got the ball consistently in the serums; they knew how to use their weight, and on the line-out they were good. It is hard to judge

a team just oil. a long train journey. The bagks tickled the Wall very cleanly. but in attack the tendency to crowd out on the line was bad: that was clue to the inside men. The handing on passing of their .forwards was good. Ihe Springboks have not the individuality which the backs of the original All Blacks possessed. The Wanganui players made the mistake of high tackling. Those big forwards should have been collared low. The ream that will beat them is the team that will combine orthodox ploy and unorthodox play. I do not think that (heir big men will see a hard and fast game out. In the test matches with New Zealand they wilt meet fasi and dashing forwards, who will play to run them off their feet. I saw the inter-island and Probable and Possibles matches, and am satisfied about the team New Zealand can put in the field. The good forwards. about 13.7, of the Beilis type, should heat them. In yesterday’s game Beilis played astonishingly well.”

lIOKOWHEXUA REP. TEAM.

The following team has been selected to’represent Horowhenua against Eangitikci, at Bulls next Wednesday:— Full back: Marshall (Shannon).

Three-quarters: N. Winiata (Kuku), L. McDonald (Levin), T. Moynihau (Shannon).

Five-eighths: T. McDonald .and Ford -(Levin). Half: Baker (Foxton). King: Jacob (Levin). Front row: Sand- (Shannon), Bcvan (lltti Mai). Lock: Dalzell (lltti Mai). Supports: IL Moynihau (Shannon), Broughton (Levin). Back row: Wilson (Hui Alai), M. Robinson (Foxton).

Emergencies: Backs Kelly (Shannon), Aloscs. and Taylor (Foxton); forwards —Tana (Kuku), Rowlands (Tokomaru), Koro (Kuku).

Burgess (Foxton) was not available, owing to an injury to the ankle received in last Saturday’s match.

THE SPRINGBOKS,

The South Africans had a triumphal reception at every station along the line to New Plymouth on Thursday, people turning out en masse and extending the heartiest! of welcomes. On arrival in New

Plymouth they were met by the Band and thousands of people, and escorted to their hotel, where, from the balcony, and before the big (rowd, they Were formally welcomed by the Mayor and Air James McLeod, chairman of the Rugby Union, The visitors gave their war cry as well as a ATaori cry learned since their arrival in the Dominion, which delighted the crowd.

Manager Bennett stated they had been overwhelmed with kindness and hospitality since their arrival in New Zealand, and Thursday night's proceedings capped everything. The people of South Africa would, he felt sure, appreciate the wonderful way in which the team had been met so far in New Zealand. Air AlcLeod stated that Taranaki in intercolonial games had a good record, having defeated every, team which had visited the province, and could be relied upon to put up a fight against the Springboks.

The Taranaki men have been in hard trailing this week, under “Skinny” Humphries, an ex-All-Black, and C. Brown, captain of the New Zealand Sendee team which toured South Africa in 1919. Taranaki football has greatly improved this season, and it is confidently expected that now the team has had the opportunity of acquiring combination it will fully extend the visitors to-day.