A FIGHTING CHANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 1

A FIGHTING CHANCE

STEWART’S DIFFICULT JOB NEW TACTICS ADOPTED Although Rushbrook, Nicholls, Ward and McWilliams were also selected to train for the second test, only one, McWilliams, has been selected, the selectors evidently deciding to rely on the old combination. The most interesting feature of their plan of campaign is the employment of the wing-forward as a loose head in the scrums—obviously an attempt to get away from the restrictions placed upon the wing-forward in the deed of agreement entered into by the AH Black management.

With Grenside and Robilliard both having undergone a severe gruelling in the last test, it was thought more than likely that Rushbrook, the promising young Wellington winger, would have been given a chance. The only alteration in the team has been the replacing of Scrimshaw by Stewart, and the selection of McWilliams to fill Stewart’s place in the scrum. According to reports, McWilliams lias been playing consistently well and the big Auckland forward can be relied upon to play an honest game. With Stewart going down as loose head in the front row of the scrum with Hadley and Swain, it is obvious that he will not be there to strengthen the New Zealand hooking. Under the deed of agreement the wing-forward is treated as a half, and that when the ball is put in he must retire behind the scrum, thus giving the opposing half and five-eighths plenty of time to work without molestation. STEWART'S TASK Under this latest plan the All Blacks will attempt to overcome the difficulty by putting Stewart in the front row. where h» will no doubt specialise as a fast break-away forward. In the lineouts, and on other occasions, he will no doubt play the traditional wingforward game rather than that of a rover. This is by no means a new trick. Have Gallagher, the wing-for-ward with the 1905 All Blacks, often packed loosely into the scrum when the hostility against the wing-forward became too pronounced. Although this seems quite easy on paper, Stewart will be faced with a very difficult task. African forwards generally are up to all the tricks of the game, and Kruger, Van Druten and Mostert, the Springbok front row men, will certainly do their utmost to prevent him from getting away. Undoubtedly there will be a good deal of holding, and Stewart will be required to keep a very cool head under trying circumstances.

Confident in the ability of their forwards again to obtain a “strangle-liold” over the All Black pack, the South African selectors have made no changes in their scrum, and it will be the same redoubtable eight that dominated and dictated the first test that the New Zealanders will be called upon to face to-day. The backs have been strengthened and speeded up by the inclusion of Dauncey Devine who, because of injuries, was unable to play in the first test, and N. S. Tod, a fast threequarter from Natal. Duffy, who in the first test game had to retire with injuries, has been replaced by Van Der Westhuizen, a solid and useful type of centre. Since the team was selected, however. Stanley Osier (centre) and Slater (wing-threequarter) have had to be replaced owing to training injuries, by Dobie and Brand. Osier’s withdrawal is particularly unfortunate for South Africa. A FIGHTING CHANCE The All Blacks should bo an improved side, particularly as regards

physical condition. According to letters recently received, members of the team had found it difficult to adapt themselves to changes of climate and altitude, and food and water, and quite a

number suffered from minor ailments. The packmen should now be in harder condition, and it is extremely unlikely that they will have any misconception of the type of play demanded of them. In the forwards the play will be hard and tight, and there is no doubt that the New Zealand seven, keyed up to concert pitch, will give desperate battle for their share of the ball. To-day the All Blacks should do much better, and provided the luck of the game is more evenly balanced than it was in the first test, should have a

good fighting chance of avenging the former defeat.