HOT AND COLD

NZ Truth, Issue 1152, 29 December 1927, Page 12

HOT AND COLD

Comparative Peep

At Athletes

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Athletic Ccr-

respondent.)

Undoubtedly natural climatic conditions play a large part in moulding the physical make-up of man.

THIS , was particularly noticeable •*■ among the athletes gathered in Wellington for the Australian and New Zealand championships.

Whilst the men from the various states included short and stout men, the general type of the visitors was sun-drawn, height and slimness which was in direct contrast to the biggerboned, thick-set build of the New Zealanders.

This was particularly evident in the field events rind the races which called more for strength and endurance than speed. In the absence of Geo. Hyde, Australia was unable to produce a single distance man capable of really extending: Savidan and Rose, and there are many others in this country capable of beating the candidates from overseas. » The hammer- throw resolved itself into almost a pure New Zealand competition, as also did the discus and javelin. Two of the men who did well for Australia in the field events were Kesknen and Lundquist. The former is a native-born Finn and the latter a Swede, and their build closely approximated that of the New Zealanders and bore the imprint of having been nurtured in a colder climate. It is not that Australia is short of field game exponents, but the standard over here is' just a bit too good.

This made, it politic for the States to concentrate' their efforts on the events in which they had a chance, and there is no gainsaying the fact that they were well and ably represented in the sprints, middle distances, hurdles and jumps.

ing to counter them, but it was only after the first test match that they definitely came to the view that there was nothing at all to be scared about and the best method of beating the All Blacks in the tight serums wag to adopt the orthodox South African packing.

It is the considered opinion of several Springbok forwards Avho played in those games that no All Black pack of seven men can beat a Springbox pack of eight.

I mention this mevely for what it is worth, but you must realize that the Springboks have the same confidence in their invincibility as the All Bla'cks. Confidence is a big asset and the tourists will have no advantage in this aspect of the matches.

But a further word a.bovit the scrummaging methods of the two countries. »

R. Cove-Smith, captain of the British team in South Africa, and one of the most experienced of English forwards, who made several appearances

sist of players with their reputations yet to make and there will be few veterans in the side.

The leader of the pack will probably be Phil. Mostert, a veteran of the 1921 New Zealand tour, whom I would venture to compare with M. J. Brownlie.

A great forward in 1921, a greater forward in 1924 and still one of the world's forwards to-day, when he is 31 years of age, Mostert is a magnificent scrummager, a good hooker and ever in the van leading: a dribbling rush for a. short passing bout ov tackling a back.

The only other Springbok; forward who is at all sure of getting his place is Dr. Jack Van Druten, a brilliant wing-forward .of herculean strength, the hands and feet of a half-back and a positive genius for positional play.

Most of the other forwards will be young players who have come

to the front in t,he past two seasons.

In the Transvaal, which has sometimes been called the home of forward play in South Africa, there are three fine young 1 forwards in Nykamp. Oliver and N. P. Pretorius, all of whom arc players of international stamp, .while in the Western Province, "which. is sure to supply a quota of the pack, there are Melck and S. Pretorious.

Natal has Naude, Nel an'd Siedle, while the Free State has Jordan and Basson.

These are only a few jof the outstanding men who have mostly come to the front in the past couple of seasons and will make a really first-class pack up to the best Springbok standard.

There are a number of fine wings, the most likely of whom are J. Prinsloo, of the Transvaal, and J. Van Nielcerk, of Western Province.

At "donkey" half and full-back the standard is sound rather than brilliant and the players selected will depend •nainlj r on current form. While these names will not mean much to New Zealand, I can assure you, they have the fundimentals of a great side. And I can assure you that the All Blacks will have the sternest task they have yet encountered on an overseas tour.

G. St. Leger Devenish, an old Springbok and a member of r the selection committee, discussing the prospects of the tests a few days ago, expressed himself thoroughly satisfied with the standard of play.