EAGERLY AWAITED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1938, Page 5

EAGERLY AWAITED

ALL BLACKS’ OPENING MATCH SOME ANXIETY IN NEW SOUTH WALES RELATIVE MERITS OF TEAMS By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. (Recd This Day, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Although apprehension is felt in local rugby circles, following upon the disorganisation of the originally chosen New South Wales side, New Zealand is not likely to underrate her opponents in Saturday’s debut. The most serious blow to New South Wales, was the loss of' Windon, but Kelly, the substitute, is an outstanding rucker. The New South Wales centres, Smith and miller, are both young, with the faculty of straightening up attacking moves, and are unlikely. to cramp the wings. The New Zealand forwards, averaging half a stone heavier, cannot afford to adopt loose tactics. McDonald has concentrated on scrummage practice. The formation has been satisfactory and the balance is better than that of the New South Wales team. Johnnie Wallace, the coach, is relying on Stone’s hooking to give New South Wales at least an equal share of set scrummages, which past history warrants.

New Zealand should prove superior in the line-out, where there are indications that they posses greater knowledge. Everyone is expecting displays by Berghan and Sullivan reminiscent of Mark Nicholls and Cooke. They have an outstanding rival in Richards, who is expert in originating moves from broken play. The New Zealand selection of forwards indicates that the selectors are fully alive to the danger of a loose game.

Mr Alex MacDonald, one of the team’s managers, is delighted with the form which the All Blacks have shown, and says that they “have added yards to their speed since their arrival, and are now ready to play good open football.”

The ground is hard owing to the absence of rain, and the team will do only light training today. The weather is perfect.