AFRICAN TEST TEAM PICKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 392, 28 June 1928, Page 1

AFRICAN TEST TEAM PICKED

POWERFUL FORWARD PACK FAITH PINNED ON THE VANGUARD CRITICS PROPHESY ALL BLACKS WILL LOSE rE South African XV. for the Test match against the All Blacks on Saturday has been chosen. The newspapers throughout the Union are emphatic that South Africa will win. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association. J

Reed. 10.46 a.m. DURBAN, Wed. After the practice to-day, the South African selectors decided on the following Springbok side for the test match against New Zealand on Sat- .. Tindall, Prinsloo, Duffy, Stanley Osier, Brand or Slater, Bennie Osier, De Vililers, Mostert, Kruger, Van Druten, Daniel, Van Wyk, Pret'oriUs,' Nel, Potgieter. If Slater is Jit on. Saturday he will be wing in place of Brand. The newspapers throughout the country are emphatic that South Africa will win. The three African pressmen travelling with the team give the following opinions:— TWO TO ONE ON AFRICA F. M. Howard, late of the London “Times” and now of the "Cape Times,” says: “Everything depends on the South African forwards’ ability to

get a real strangle-hold on the New Zealand pack, and call the tune. “I think they can do it. The All Black forwards, unlike the backs, have not yet found their true form. They are not the equals of their rivals at scrummaging. Therefore, I think the odds are two to one on South Africa, because the New Zealand backs will see little of the ball. They will be very closely marked In any case. “The. winning of this test is vitally important to the New Zealanders, as I can see little hope of their being able to win the next test at Johannesburg.” SCRUM SUPERIORITY E. T. Steytler, representative of a chain of Dutch papers, says: “South Africa will win the test match, I presume, because they are sure to have superiority in the tight scrums. Two men cannot hook against three. With eight men in the pack, with an average weight of 13 stone 131 b, I expect them to get possession of the ball quite 75 per cent, of the game. “As possession is really all that matters. South Africa, with its advantage in set scrums, will be able to be continually attacking, hammering away at the New Zealand defence, which will not be able to stand til o onslaughts of the hack division South Africa is fielding on Saturday. Our hacks are a finished seven, equally

good in attack and defence. In the latter department of the game, one cannot honestly say that the All Blacks have thus far excelled, except perhaps Carleton and Johnston, who have shown themselves tacklers of a high standard. “I expect South Africa will find a leakage in the New Zealand line at second five-eighths, whether McGregor or Strang fills the position. Except for the game against the Free Sta Le. neither of these players has greatly impressed. They seem incapable of varying their play, which in any international game is fatal.” N.Z. BACKS SUPERIOR J. B. Keartland, of the Johannesburg “Star,” says: “All who have seen the All Blacks’ recent matches will agree that there is combination and thrust in the New Zealand backs, particularly the jnsidg players, which gives the impression that the tourists’ rear lines are su S.rior to the best available to represent South Africa.” Next Saturday the Springboks’ hopes mainly rest in the powerful pack of scrummaging forwards. In

the Rugby game, strength in the vanguard is the main essential. The task of the South African forwards will be to keep the ball tight in an endeavour to wear down the All Blacks’ pack. Only if these tactics are successful will South Africa carry off the honours. We can glean comfort in the fact that a team containing a pack of forwards such as South Africa possesses to-day w r ill take a power of beating. NICHOLLS’S EXCLUSION The public and the Press in South Africa are greatly surprised at Nicholls's omission from the All Blacks chosen specially to train for the test. Most of the papers have turned out big headlines, saying it is hard to understand why Nicholls was left out. The Natal “Mercury” says: "The most noteworthy item about the All Blacks’ selections is the omission from the list of the name of Mark Nicholls. Nicholls very naturally is not quite the player to-day that he was four years ago, for though still only 26, he began a first-class career very young. This is his eighth season in international football. Even so, he has already demonstrated on this tour that he still possesses that touch of genius which stamps him as a footballer above the ordinary international level. The All Blacks next Saturday may have cause to regret that they have deliberately omitted him from the side. I can think of no other national 15 that would do so.”

[Comment on the South African team is published on pase 13 of this Edition..]