TO-DAY’S BIG MATCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 209, 4 August 1937, Page 8

TO-DAY’S BIG MATCH

MANAWATU TEAM CHANGES. LE QUESNE UNAVAILABLE. Following a fall of .7lin of rain last night, the Showgrounds oval, where the big Rugby match between Manawatu and the Springboks was set down for play this afternoon, was expected to lie' stick}', but later the weather eased, and an inspection this morning showed that though the football field would have a greasy surface, it would bo in fair condition. Well grassed, it had no pools of water lying about, but tbere were numbers of lakelets on the cinder track close to the school seating accommodation.. When heavy rain set in last evening, there were pessimistic forecasts of the weather lor to-day, but during the morning there was little rain, and conditions improved. Though the sky was overcast, and there was a prospect of drizzling showers, the conditions were much better than had been anticipated, and there were indications that these might at least hold, even if the weather did remain unsettled. There were signs, perhaps only temporary, of a break for the better at noon, and the weather wal then mild and warm, despite the under loot dampness. The preliminary match between the Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Feikling Agricultural High School first fifteens was cancelled in order to preserve the ground in the best possible condition.

No definite statement had been been made this morning, but it was understood that the spells in the big match would be of 4U minutes’ duration.

Manawatu have suffered a misfortune in losing the services of C. Le Quosno, their second five-eighth, and one of their strongest backs. Both he and H. Waugh (wing-three-quarter), who broke a collarbone at Wanganui on June 10, were medically examined last evening and, though \\ augh was passed as lit to play, Le Qpesne, who injured a knee last Saturday, could not pass the test. Consequently, lie lias been replaced by J. Nicol, originally chosen as centre three-quarter, and G. Waslev, who played well on Saturday, has gone into the team as centre.

No changes in the South African team had been announced this morning, but it was stated that there might bo some before the start of the match. Their manager, Mr P. Day, who has | been recovering from influenza, was | expected to arrive in Palmerston'North early this afternoon. It was considered by close followers of the game that the slippery state of the field would definitely favour Manawatu. all of whose team members were fit and well. However, the Springboks are a considerably stronger team than the 1921 touring side, and opinion is that if any provincial team in New Zealand can hold them to a close game, it will be doing remarkably well. It was considered that the Manawatu forwards ought to be able to bold their own, and that much depended upon the solidity of the backs’ defence. RECREATION FOR TOURISTS. Except for the official practice in the morning, the South Africans had a free day yesterday, some playing golf and others going for a motor drive to Tokorangi, where they were closely interested in an inspection of Mr E. W. Barnett’s farm. Most of them went to the pictures last evening. This morning they were taken for a motor drive and were the guests of the Manawatu Golf Club for morning tea. at Hokowhitu. This evening they will be attending the Ivia Toa Football Club’s Dance. Heavy demands for autographs have been made on the Springboks, and the pressure has become so acute that the New Zealand Rugby Union lias asked that no further books be forwarded for signature. LESSONS FOR SCHOOLBOYS. This morning “Boy” Louw and Du Toit, two of the Springbok forwards, visited the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, gave the first and second fifteens some instruction in scrum formation, and also a short talk on tactics. THE VISITING VICE-CAPTAIN. ADDRESS TO BIBLE CLASSES. Last evening, Mr D. Craven, the Springboks’ vice-captain, attended a meeting of the the Bible classes of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and briefly addressed ' them on the ideals of true Christian citizenship giving some interesting sidelights of his experiences as in the realm of Rugby, and stating that the Rugby field was a testing place for sportsmanship and citizenship. Mr Craven, by the way, had chosen tlie Presbyterian ministry as his calling in life, but in the 1931 Rugby tour of England lie suffered an injury which seriously affected a vocal chord, necessitating a change in his plans. He is a teacher in one of the leading South African colleges.