ALL PLAYERS FIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 10

ALL PLAYERS FIT.

ALL BLACKS AT OTAKI

OTAKI, Aug. 11. Any doubt as to the fitness of the All Black players selected to tram at Otaki with a view to choosing the side for the first Test against the Springboks next Saturday was quickly removed when all the players assembled in camp to-day. Previously there had been a suggestion that Sullivan. Taranaki, and Hooper., Canterbury, were on the injured list. Both these players turned out to-day fit and well. , , J. G. Rankin, Canterbury, who came up by ’plane from Christchurch to Wellington yesterday, after undergoing a medical examination for a severe chill, arrived in camp late this afternoon. Mr J. T. Burrows, one of the selectors, who is in charge of the All Blacks camp, stated to-day that the players were all fit. The camp is in a veiy quiet place close to the long Otaki beach. Many of the players take advantage of the opportunity of walking ill the fresh air before breakfast. There is nothing unusual about the routine followed. The players get up at 7 a.m.-, breakfast at 8, and then some play golf while others while away the time until luncheon. Serious practice is indulged in during the afternoon, The coach, Mr Burrows, is paying special attention to scrummaging and line-o.ut work. Mr W. J. Wallace was in charge of the backs to-day, hut nothing much out of the orthodox was attempted. FORWARDS DRILLED.

The players repaired to the Otaki Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon, where the forwards were drilled in scrum work, dribbling and passing. On another part of the ground the hacks indulged in passing runs, in which the speed and handling were impressive. Later the backs and forwards practised together and again the hacks did their .work cleanly and snappily. Sullivan, in particular, suggesting that his speed and resource may be something to reckon with when it comes to serious business.

In a general punt about, some fairly good kicking was seen. Some really good place-kicking from the side-line was done by Trevatlian, the Otago five-eighth. Assisted hv the Otaki senior team, the All Blacks were given really good practice this afternoon. Several hundred spectators from all parts of the district were present under the impression that the Otaki team was to lie matched against the All Blacks. When the All Blacks took the field they were greeted with a haka by the Otaki team. The two sets of forwards were taken to one end of the field, where they were kept steadily at scrummaging, dribbling, and line-out work by Mr Burrows, who put in almost as strenuous an afternoon’s work as any of the forwards. The hacks were taken by Mr W. J. Wallace. Frequent halts wore called bv both coaches to enable them to revise movements, and indicate where improvements were necessary. Following the general practice, the two teams were lined up and had half an hour’s play. Mr Burrows taking the whistle. It was not matcli play proper, but was designed to give the All Blacks practice in both defensive and attacking manoeuvres. The Otaki pack had the assistance of Pearce and

Milliken, but no effort was made by the opposition to counteract any of the tactics adopted by the All Blacks scrum. SPEED OFF, THE MARK. The rearguard practised speed of the mark and accurate handlling. In their case, too, no attempt was made by the opposition to tackle or otherwise counteract the movements, the opponents simply standing still in their correct positions. Later, however, some effective attacking work was done by the backs, Sullivan again impressing with his speed and resource. Dick finished off two or three movements with determined dashes for the corner flag, and Taylor, at full-back, handled cleanly throughout the afternoon, and kicked with great power. Tlie work-out was considered a very satisfactory one. Lambourn was in his best hooking form, and it is practically certain that lie will do the raking in the first Test. THE PRACTICE SIDE. The All Black side for the practice game line out as follows Taylor; Cobden, Sullivan, Dick; Hooper, Trevathan; Simon; Dalton, Lambourn, Jackson; Ward, King, Reid, McKenzie ; Parkhill. This gives an indication that the All Black team to meet the Springboks was probably played this afternoon. In the event of Rankin being fit, he will probably replace Ward on the side of the scrum. In practice today Ward showed outstanding ability in controlling the ball at his feet. The announcement of the team will be made by the New Zealand Rugby Union in Wellington. The players will continue at Otaki until Saturday morning.