TO-DAY'S PROSPECTS.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 282, 23 July 1932, Page 5

TO-DAY'S PROSPECTS.

"Lock."

Notes by

The third Test to-day is likely to he well-fought-out, though on form the advantage should rest with the All Blacks in view of their solid win in the Second Test, yet the Australian side has been re-organised and undoubtedly strengthened. In the All Blacks the inclusion of Hart, the crack Canterbury wing three-quartcr, will strengthen the attack, for Porter showed a weaknes in defence last time out. Probahly Ball will he the one to he omitted, though Caughey is still suffeifing from a black eye. However he is the only logical centre for the day. BullockDouglas, the Wanganui winger, has proved liimself the find of the team from a scoring point of view, and can hardly hc dropped. It looks as if Ball will he the unlucky one, hut as he got into the team on another player's injury (Hart's), he cannot be downhearted. Despite the penetrative form shown by Innes, the seiection committee has plumped for Page and Poilock at five-eighths, the latter for his place-kicking, and Page for solid defence. This combination though it may not he so strong in atcack is sound. Kilby naturally went in at half for Corner is not reaily in his class. Two of the ten forwards mentioned are to be dropped, and it is likely that Barry, the West Coaster, and Clarke will be the two. On his recent form Solomon has every claim to inclusion, as has Steere, the big Hawlce's Bay lock, being one of the best men in the team. McLean and Purdue should be sure of inclusion, whilst Hore and Cottrell with Palmer form the log:ical front row. Manchester's lineout work is a factor in his favour which cannot be overlooked. Australian Team. Turning to the Australian XV., it will be noted that the selectors have dropped Lawton, who has lost his paco a hit, and eonferred the captaincy on Sid Malcolm. Few will forget his wonderful game at the base of the scrum at Eden Park in 1928. Dr. Ross naturally toolc the full-back position. The three-quarter lino is curious, for with the exception of the Victorian, Cowper, all are wingers. Bill Hemingway was in New Zealand with the Waratahs in 1(.»28, playing on the wing. Steggall is at home in any position in the backs, hut has shown. most success at five-eighths, and will, with Cowper, probahly fill the inside berths. Lindsay, the Queenslandei-, is a leftfooter, and plays on the wing. Sturtridge is a club-mate of, and combines well with, Cowper. A Solid Pack. The Australian pack.is a formidable one, headed by "Wild Bill" Celutti, Bland, Bonis, and Palfreyman, all of whom have toured New Zealand. Louden (the ex-Wellingtonian) has been dropped in favour of the Victorian, Dunlop, whilst Love has won a place in the team. This pack will be heavier and faster than that which met New Zealand last time, and should excel in line-out work. Summed up the odds are in favour of the All Blacks, but they are, meeting a more experienced and faster team and the margin is not likely to be so great as in the second Test.