SPRINGBOKS TOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 12

SPRINGBOKS TOUR

GREETINGS AT WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. A large crowd at the Wellington railway station to-day enthusiastically greeted the Springboks. The crowd pressed toward the edge of the platform as the train drew in, and it was necessary to form a lane for the party when it alighted. The visitors left immediately for their hotel after each one had spoken briefly into the microphone. At 5.30 p.m. they were given an official welcome by the Wellington Rugby Union. There will be a Government reception at Parliament House at 11 a.m. to-morrow and a civic reception in the Town Hall at 5 p.m. The former gathering should prove unique in that there will be present a representative of every Rugby football team which has represented New Zealand. Mr P. W. Day, manager of the team, in an interview, was loth to discuss the prospects of the team in the Tests. “We are not in the habit of boosting ourselves,” he said, “although, of course, we are going to play to win.” He deprecated such statements as that made by Mr J. 1. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, to the effect that it was doubtful whether the Africans on their present form would beat the All Blacks. “It is not in the best interests of the game for one side to make statements of that sort,” said Mr Day “Mr Sullivan is young, I suppose, and will learn better.’ The team had found its New Zealand game's hard; in fact, drastic, Mr Day continued. The opposition was much stronger than in • Australia. They were beaten by New South Wales because the team had no opportunity in the preceding matches to test its strength against real opposition. In New Zealand the games were hard and the Test was going to be harder than them all. It was more essential than ever for the men to look after themselves. Du Toit would not be fit for some time yet. Broodryk and “Fanie” Louw were improving, while Watt had no ill-effects after his game on Wednesday. To-night the visitors were the guests of the Wellington Boxing Association at the Town Hall. A training run will be held at Athletic Park to-morrow afternoon, but probably only those not taking part in Saturday’s match will turn out. “While we are very grateful for your hospitality, I would like to point out that these receptions are becoming far too many for us to entertain, said Mr P. W. Day, manager of the Springboks, replying to an address of welcome of the Wellington Rugby Union. “The men have to play football, and it is necessary for them to do a certain amount of training. Some of them are not too fit yet. However, I must thank you again for your friendship and hospitality. We had a drastic time in Australia and so far a pretty rough time in New Zealand. We have yet to play 13 or 14 more games in this country, which does not leave us much time to ourselves. “We hope you will not be disappointed with the game we hope to play—a gentleman’s and a sporting game.”

FIRST TEST TEAM. CAUGHEY NOT AVAILABLE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 5. The well-known All Black centrethreequarter, T. H. C. Caughey, an outstanding member of the 1935 New Zealand team which toured Great Britain, will not be available for the first Test match against the Springboks at Wellington. _■ t. i Caughey advised Mr G. Nicholson, the Auckland member of the New Zealand selection committee, to this ettect to-day. He did not state the reasons for his decision, but it- may be presumed that, in view of his having been out of the game for the greater part of this season, he considered he could not reach his best form in time for the match. It is understood, however, that Caughey will he available for selection for the second and third Test 6to be played at Christchurch and Auckland on September 4 and 25 respectively. TO PLAY WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. Following is the Springboks’ team to play Wellington: Full-back: Brand (captain). Three-quarters: Turner, Williams, Hofmeyr, White. Half-backs: Van dor Vyver, De Villiers. Front row: S. C. Louw, Lotz, JcnH'Sffddle row: Van Reenan, Van Den Berg, Bergh, Strachan. Back row: V r att.