TO WIN WORLD'S TITLE

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 14

TO WIN WORLD'S TITLE

All Blacks Now Have The Critics In Doubtfiil Mood (By Cable.—From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Representative Touring with the All Blacks.) «\{EW ZEALAND can be assured that the All Blacks will give an account IN of themselves worthy of the traditions of New Zealand Rugby," said W. H. Hornig, manager of the All Blacks m a special InterviewNfor "Truth" discussing the prospects of the first test on Saturday. . "The tour has been arduous with trying changes of altitude affecting the players, but I am quite satisfied with the form on Saturday, which showed that both the backs and forwards have now come to hand. "The backs have fulfilled all expectations and whoever is selected for Saturday can be 1 depended upon. The forwards are.also improving. "Unfortunately, Harvey is suffering from influenza and an injured leg, and with Lucas also down with influenza, they had to be left out at Maritzburg. "Dalley, too, has not fully recovered, but Finlayson, I am glad to say, should be available on Saturday and the team will be selected on the form disclosed m recent matches." It is probable that the All Blacks' team will be largely the same as played^ against Natal on Saturday, with possibly Nicholls displacing Strang and Finlayson displacing either • McWilliams or Hazlett. Both the latter played well on Saturday, but the selectors will probably prefer MeWiriiams' solid scrummaging to that of Hazlett, who shone m lineout and loose. ' Both Dalley and Kilby have been showing fine form and either would justify selection. A fortnight ago South African critics unanimously anticipated a Springbok victory m the first test, but recent developments m form; particularly the fine play of the back division, has shaken their confidence and a keen, hard game is now expected, with the issue certainly doubtful. The South African trials last week were responsible, for many injuries, including two of the best wings In the country, who, consequently will not be available. ■ " , The best centre, Cornell, of the Border, fractured a bone m his foot and will be unable to play again this season, while Devine, the outstanding scrum-half, strained the ligaments of the knee and it is doubtful whether 1 he will be available on Saturday. Twenty-one players have been selected, and the final choice will be made not much before Saturday. The strength of the South Africans will be the powerful scrummaging pack, which is expected to 6utplay the All Blacks' forwards m the scrums, and the homesters' chances depend upon the ability of the backs to turn to acoount possession of the ball. The All Blacks, on the other hand, are largely depending upon the brilliancy of their forwards' foraging and snapping ifp the ball m the loose. \ ' ■„«.... A key to the situation will be Benny Osier, the; brilliant but erratic flyhalf, who on his day can win a match by inspiring the three-quarters with wonderful kicking and breaks through. Recent matches have shown that there is more thrust m the New Zealand backs and they can be depended upon to make the most of their chances. . A big factor m favor of the tourists is the brilliant form displayed by Johnson and Carleton, who have added sparkling attacking ability t6 solid defence, and Lindsay's brilliant kicking. % . The players themselves are determined and'anxious to wipe out early defeats with a series of victories m the Tests. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THE All Blacks' victory against Natal, which, incidentally, puts the side m great heart for the first Test, was achieved by a spectacular display of bright, open football m the second half which completely wore down the Natal resistance.* The thrilling passing movements time and again brought spectators cheering to their feet. It was generally anticipated that Natal would put up a good fight, but the big margin of victory created what was akin to a sensation throughout -South Africa, dampening the confidence of the critics who were anticipating an easy victory for the Springboks m the first Test. t The tourists played what was considered their best team available to give them a run together m this match, m view of Saturday's big game. A feature of the play,was the inspiring exhibition of the team after fighting defensively m the first twenty minutes, keeping the Natalians on the run with spectacular movements from the scrum. Kilby maintained a swift service and kept the backs continually attacking, as a result of the forwards gaining* possession as many times as their opponents. Johnson was admirable m the pivotal position, but it was the brilliant play of Carleton that was mainly responsible for the openings made for the wings. ' In previous matches Carleton was solely a defensive player, but on Saturday he was a revelation m . attack, scintillating m a series of thursts, making a hole m the defence. He was largely responsible, with Kilby, for four tries. It was mainly the inspired attacks of Carleton, with Lindsay's brilliant kicking, that enabled the All Blacks to score fifteen points m five minutes at one stage of the second half. Grenside was ever thrustful and clever, and he kept the ball when the Jeast opportunity presented itself of getting through. Otherwise he passed, infield and m this way he was responsible for one of Scrimshaw's tries. Robiliiard played faultlessly and pressed home the good work of Carleton. Strang was mediocre and lacking m initiative, and on this display he may be .dropped for the Test. Scrimshaw was a fine additional link m attack, but he was still inclined to trespass offside and was fayored by the leniency of the referee. Brownlie was more than usually subdued, but showed flashes of brilliancy m the loose. Stewart was again outstanding m all phases of play. Hazlett shone m the line-outs, frequently feeding the backs. McWilliams was brilliant m loose rushes. Handling well arid passfng advantageously, he was responsible for initiating one of Scrimshaw's tries. Swain and Hadley's hooking held their strong scrummaging opponents well, and this was the key factor to the success of the backs. The display was altogether the best of the tour to date, indicating that the tourists" have struck their best form practically on the eva of the first Test, and they will be an extremely difficult team to beat. The problem presented to the All Black selectors'is the Test side, m view of the outstanding success of Kilby and McWilliams, who were generally regarded as deputiring to-day for Dalley and Finlayson respectively. Kilby outplayed ,the opposing scrum-half —one of the best m South Africa—keeping the backs supplied with the ball throughout, while McWilliams was one of the best forwards. ' " WESTERN TRANSVAAL ECLIPSED A MOTHER scalp to the record of the All Blacks m the land of the leaping XT. Springbok,\was added at Potshefstroom when the New Zealanders, showing still further improvement, defeated Western Transvaal by 19 points to 8. • ■ Against poor scrummaging, forwards, the New Zealanders showed m unmistakable fashion how very dangerous they could be when given full possession of the ball. , r The first half was notable for.a sparkling exhibition of passing movements by the tourists. After adding a goal two minutes from the start of thj3 second spell, however, the All Blacks' efforts slackened considerably; their movements become somewhat erratic and their play suffered as a result of too much individualism. * On this occasion the New Zealanders had the better of the scrums by a margin of 17 to 8 and completely outplayed Western Transvaal m the line-outs. The Brownlie brothers and Finlayson were continually breaking away or throwing the ball to the backs. An outstanding feature of the game was the welcome reappearance of Mark Nicholls, who has been on the injured list with a bruised foot. Playing for the first time during them the position of first five-eighths> Nicholls gave a brilliant display, feeding his outsides well and revealing clever form, m the "dummy" and occasionally breaking through from the ruck. • .'He took a prominent part m all the New Zealanders' early movements, which would have led to further scoring had it not been for a tendency on the part of Sheen to keep possession too long. In endeavoring to make clear openings for his wings, Sheen was overplaying his part and this fact probably cost the tourists a couple of tries. Strang showed that he was not accustomed to his position and so far has failed to reproduce his true form. In the last two games he has been guilty of mulling several passes. Lucas gave a brilliant display, using hjs brains and speed to good, advantage. He gave a great display of back-passing and cross-kicking and hia good work was, responsible for two tries. ■ Western Transvaal played a quick-breaking game, spreading across-field and tackling with determination. BROWNLIE TOO VIGOROUS OTEWART, playing frequently m the role ef extra three-quarter, performed O splendid work m assisting the backs. Lilburne was sound, while'his kicking showe.d. a distinct improvement- ' \ Rushbrook: was closely marked and had few opportunties to display his real form. Kilby was clever m breaking from the scrum, maintaining an excellent service to his backs throughout the game and quite overshadowing the opposition. \ The reappearance of Hadloy was reflected m the pronounced success of the hookers, thus laying the foundation for persistent movements by the backs m the first half. Skipper Maurice Brownlie was again the, outstanding forward on the field, giving a magnificent display m the loose, repeatedly leading dangerous passing rushes and feeding his backs well. Unfortunately, the AIT Black captain was inclined^ to be far too vigorous at times and was penalized for punching an opponent, the ball striking the upright. Cyril Brownlie is getting fitter and played his best game of the tour to date. Finlayson and Alley were the best of the others. They were always m the thick of it, Alley frequently breaking away and dribbling the ball m great style. Dv Plessis, who may be remembered as one of the 1921 Springboks refereed. He proved extremely severe on the All Blacks, penalising the tourists on thirteen occasions, compard with once m the oase of Western Transvaal. The remainder of the New Zealanders had stayed 'm Johannesburg under the care of Trainer Mercer. They are now undergoing a special course of training m preparation for the first Test at Durban on June 30. As far as possible the South African selectors are resting their best backs-to avoid the possibility of injuries m minor niatches. \ The recent success of the AM'Blaeks has 'infused the team with the utmost confidence regarding ihe outcome, of the first Test. The New Zealanders feel that their superior combination and team play, together with the powerfuj thrusting ability of their backs, wilj carry the day. . ' Meanwhile, the South African trials have commenced at Durban, with 'fifty-seven of the best players :in an exhaustive series of matches aiming at the selection of the strongest possible Springbok team, which will be chosen this week-end and given a. week's special practice together prior to the-test. -''V./.^^.^,'^^;;. l;'v:;V r -';';:^'A^.: :\V .'■'■!■".• 'v';-" vV.' ■•'-