GRUELLING TASK FOR LIGHT ALL BLACK PACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1033, 25 July 1930, Page 6

GRUELLING TASK FOR LIGHT ALL BLACK PACK

TOMORROW’S TEST

BETTER FORWARDS AVAILABLE NX REARGUARD STRENGTHENED FE selection of the All Black side to meet Britain in the third Test tomorrow, although occasioning little surprise, will not be received with general satisfaction. The loss of the two big men of the side, I. Finlayson and R. T. Stewart, has considerably weakened the pack and, although they have been replaced by good forwards, their weight and line-out ability have not been compensated for. Readjustments in the rearguard give promise of better combination and greater thrust, but, as is the case in most Test games, control of the ball will probably he the. determining factor.

When the 18 players were selected to assemble at Auckland, the selectors had no knowledge that the two big side-row men would not be available. Had they known in time, no doubt this would have been a consideration that would have weighed in the selection of the other forwards. As it is, the pack that will go down against Britain will be handicapped by a big disadvantage in weight. Although past experience has proved that the fetish of big men can be overdone, the fact also remains that in a gruelling test game, where much of the forward play is of a tight, rugged nature, weight plays a very important part, particularly when a light seven-man pack is opposed to eight men. Apparently the New Zealand pack will be a stone lighter all round. It is also to be regretted that the selectors could not have utilised the experience gained from the performance of the Auckland forwards against a strong British side last Saturday. With -one exception, the pack that the Auckland forwards completely outclassed was the same that Britain is fielding tomorrow. Although a little lighter than the British pack the Auckland forwards, thanks to splendid scrummaging and the best hookers in New Zealand, controlled the ball and also the game. BETTER HOOKERS AVAILABLE

With the performance of the Auckland pack in mind and a knowledge of the capabilities of the individuals who comprise it, it must be admitted that if all the members of the present New Zealand pack resided in Auckland there would be at least three or four of them who could not find a game in the Auckland seven.

CURTAIN-RAISERS

Even with this extra material available the Auckland selector would have to pick either Hadley and Palmer or Hadley and Angus Finlayson as hookers in preference to Hore and Cottrell. L. Knight and Batty would certainly have to stay, and, on last Saturday, it is doubtful whether Steere could displace A. Knight, probably the most powerful locking forward in New Zealand at the present time. Viewed in comparison with these members of the Auckland pack it is impossible, whether New Zealand wins tomorrow or not, to class the present New Zealand pack as the best seven available in New Zealand at the present time. With the two Auckland hookers included and also L. Knight, whose 16st 121 b and fine line-out and rucking play would be of great assistance, the New Zealand pack would be considerably strengthened. Knight’s claims to All Black honours have been consistently advocated by The Sun and a large section of the public, but for some reason he has been completely ignored. W. Batty, who has been consistently brilliant this season, and H. F. McLean, who came into prominence in the North v. South game last season with one of the best forward displays of tho game, can bo relied upon to give good exhibitions. McLean is a young player who should show still further improvement as he matures. WILL BE ON THE JOB Tho British forwards who were so decisively beaten last Saturday will probably bo a different proposition tomorrow. A week’s rest at Rotorua will have benefited them considerably and it can be taken for granted that they will bo all out to redeem their display of tho previous week. The difference between a team at its best and a team at its worst is considerable and the performance of the British forwards last Saturday by no means can be taken as an indication of their standard form. It can be taken for granted, however, that the New Zealand seven will not take them cheaply. A stern forward battle with both packs striving for control of the ball will be seen. Tho inclusion of Strang at first five-eighths and the playing of Cooke at centre, with Lucas on the wing in place of OUiver, should have the result of strengthening up the rearguard without in any way proving detrimental to the combination. Strang is a solid tackier, a strong runner, and an accurate kick with a flair for an occasional potted goal. In Africa he played soundly and on recent displays in South Canterbury showed that he was well up to form. BACKS IMPROVED

With a sound tackling first fiveeighths Nicholls appears to be placed in a good tactical position at second, and there is no reason why a good workable combination should not result between this pair with Cooke outside and Lucas and Hart for wings. New Zealand’s prospects of winning the rubber depend upon a victory tomorrow. Defeat means that the best New Zealand can hope for is another drawn Test series, which, from the point of view of the Dominion’s Rugby prestige would be far from satisfactory.

The All Blacks taking the field tomorrow are too experienced to be deceived by Auckland’s victory of the previous week into under-rating their opponents. With a lighter pack to battle for control of the ball they will realise more than ever the/ necessity of honest compact scrumming, clean heeling and. when the occasion arises, expert wheeling of the scrum. Offsetting the lightness of the pack to some extent is the knowledge that there will be very little shining among the forwards. The forwards are faced with a big responsibility and there is no doubt but that they /will do their best, to rise to a big occasion.

THREE MATCHES ARRANGED Providing ground conditions permit, three curtain-raisers will be played on the No. 1 ground at Eden Park tomorrow to the Test match between Britain and the All Blacks. Hamilton High School will play Auckland Grammar, Whangarei High School will play Mount Albert Grammar,, and the Auckland Rugby Union’s seventh grade representatives will play the Auckland primary schools’ representatives. The teams are as follow: Hamilton Hjgh School.—Fullback, B. McCowan; threequarters, West-water, Reid, Macky; five-eighths, Chitty, Patterson: half, Mathieson; rover, Harding: forwards, Tapper, Burns, Anderson. Taylor, Hubbard (captain), Gribble, Baker. Emergencies: Bradley, Macky. Auckland Grammar. —Fullback, McFarland (captain): threequarters, Hammon, Hill, Currey; five-eighths, Jessup, Slyfield; rover. Sheer; forwards, Farrelly, Mcßeath, Douglas, Fraser, Fulton, Drake, Robinson. Emergencies: Nicholson, Emanuel. Whangarei High School.—Fullback, Webber; threequarters, Williams Provan, Stewart; five-eighths, Robb, Kelsall; half, Swinburne; rover. Porter; forwards. Newman, Jones, - Pullman, Saul, Johnson, Given, Maria. Emergencies: Fergus, Fuller, Windast, Burke. Mount Albert Grammar.—Fullback: Fletcher: threequarters. Storey, Jones, Horan; five-eighths, Carruthers, Spence;

half, Briggs: rover, Tippett; forwards, Armitage, Wall, Schultz, Bull, Lange, Gray, Reid. Emergencies: Bathgate, Beale, Foster, Clarke. Primary Schools.—Fallback, Higgins; threequarters, McGregor, Coyle, Dyer; five-eighths, Hastings, Mayson; half, Mitchell; rover, Greenwood; forwards, Kronfeld, Boyle, Brown, Skelton, Vickary, Knight, Coyle. Emergencies: Rashleigh, Raikes, Carnachgm, Fulton, Collins. Seventh Grade Representatives.—Fullback, S. Smith; threequarters, J. McSweeney, Lawson, Bowden; five-eighths, Cammick, Swinton; half. Grant; rover, Blackledge; forwards, Warren, Poison, Creig, Skipworth, Greig, Nolan, Watters, Emergencies: Blockley, Vickery, Burrows, Walters.