CHANGES IN ALL BLACKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 13

CHANGES IN ALL BLACKS

Possible Third Test Team FOUR NEWCOMERS LIKELY Speedier Backs Necessary Special to THE SUN CHRISTCHURCH, Today. IT is probable that four changes—two in the backs and two in the forwards—will be made in the new Zealand team for the third Test match with the British team at Auckland on July 26. The selectors are not satisfied with the team which played in the Christchurch Test and they want to introduce more liveliness into the forward play and more speed and penetration into the back play.

The selection is hot likely to be announced before Monday and in the meantime the selectors are reticent. Still, The Sun has some confidence in suggesting what the * team will be. The New Zealand forwards played with more spirit and solidity in the second test than they did at Dunedin, but when they emerged from the heavy work they had too little dash for open play, and so they were not of much tactical use to their team in. the loose. A couple of changes would brighten them a lot. It is probable p that A. E. Steere, who locked the kcrum in the first and second tests, will be dropped, L. H.' Harvey taking his place. Steere is a good, honest forward and he was busy in the tight work in both the first and seconds tests; but he is not as good a lock as Harvey. A. bigger and better lock than Steere would make the tight work a little easier for the other New Zealand forwards, and leave them with more “pep” for the open work. Harvey is the best lock New Zealand has had for some years, but he has been retarded both by illness and accident. Lately, however, his health has been much better and he has been playing splendid football in Wairarapara this season. He is five years older than Steere. The Wairarapa man is 27, but he is taller and much heavier. He stands 6ft lin and weighs just on 16st, whereas Steere weighs 14.7. In any case, the New Zealand hookers who have played with both men prefer to have Harvey as lock, for he holds them as in a vice. SECOND CHANGE IN DOUBT At least one other change will be made in the New Zealand scrum, but there is reason to believe that the selectors have not yet made up their collective mind about who shall go out and who shall go in. Most people who saw the first and second tests

would leave R. G. McWilliams out of the team, but there is a suspicion that the selectors lor some reason are disagreeing about W. Hazlett, although the Southland man should be preferred to McWilliams, whatever the views of the general public. It may not be known until Monday whether it is McWilliams or Hazlett who is to be dropped. The question who is to take the place of either McWilliams or Hazlett is also cine that must he causing a lot of discussion among the selectors. Probably L. Kniglit will get the preference ultimately, but Knight’s tendency toward rough play must "be causing the selectors some concern. Three ol her forwards, who probably are being considered, are G. Purdue (Southland), E. Collett < Otago) and H. F. McLean (Wellington). McLean is a fine forward, but a little “lathy.” Still, he would give the pack some liveliness without impairing its solidity too much. Some Southlanders cannot agree upon whether Hazlett" or Purdue is the better forward. Purdue did not show up so well in the South Island trial, but he was in a weaker pack. Collett

did show up very well in that match, only to fail to reproduce such bright form when the British team played Otago. NICHOLLS TO STAY It may be taken for granted that M. P. Nicholls enjoys the confidence of the selectors and will be retained in the team, but it is quite likely that he will be played as second five-eighth, W. A. Strang being picked as first five-eighth. Although they want to have Nicholls in. the selectors, it seems, realise that more penetration is needed in the centre of the New Zealand backs. Strang played a brilliant game as halfback against the British team in Timaru, showing that he has returned to the physical condition and bright form he had as a five-eighth two years ago. As it was as a five-eighth that he played for New Zealand before, it will be for that position that he will return to the side. While M. Corner is shaping so well as halfback and with the need for more penetrative ability for straightening the attack from the time the ball leaves the scrum, the selectors will probably make Strang first five-eighth, with Nicholls shifted to second fiveeighth. A. E. Cooke will be moved to centre threequarter. LUCAS TO GO OUT F. W. Lucas, centre threequarter in the first and second tests, will go out. There can be little doubt of that. Probably he will not be kept in even as, a wing threequarter. More pace is needed on one wing and P. C. Minns, of Auckland, may get that position. D. J. Olliver will be the wing displaced if a change is made here, as it is likely to be. Olliver is keen, but a little unpolished yet and he could do with more pace. Minns has pace and the Auckland ground will suit him. However, there is just a chance that J. Ruru (Hawke's Bay) will have preference if he plays well in both attack and defence for Hawke’s Bay against the British team. Ruru played well in the Maori match. ' There has been some (all: of D. F. Lindsay (Otago) being called upon, but Lindsay lias not. pace enough for the threequarter line against the British speedy men. With a reservation about whether it will be McWilliams or Hazlett who will lie one of the forwards to drop out, The Sun’s forecast of the team then is:—Fullback. G. Nepia: threequarters, G. F. Hart. A. E. Cooke. I*. C. Minns: five-eighths. M. F Nicholls, W. A Strang: halfback. M. Corner: winsrforward, O G. Porter: forwards, R. T. StPwarf-. W. Hazleth I. Finlavson, I. H. Harvey, L. Knight, A. T. Cottrell, J. Hore.