THE FIRST TEST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 147, 28 July 1914, Page 5

THE FIRST TEST.

NEW ZEALAND FORWARDS BEATEN.

Cheerless indeed was the weather for the firrit test match between Australia and the New Zealand Rugby team, played in Sydney on July 18. A strong wind blew from the south-west, rain pelted down, and the ground was very heavy. With the greasy ball and the heavy ground, the game became chiefly a forward one. And, on the play, the New Zealanders were rather lucky in winning by five points- (a try scored by MeNeece and converted by Graham) to nil, for their forwards were beaten by the Australian pack. According to "Offside," W. McKenzie, Australia might have won the test if the blue three-quarters had shown the requisite resourcefulness and skill in handling the ball when chances of attack were offered to them. In this respect their efforts appeared to v be crude compared with those of the New Zealand backs; the particular weakness seemed to be ill-directed passing. The ball was sometimes lobbed about anyhow, even in the Australian twenty-five. BLACKS SORELY PRESSED. A Sydney '' Referee'' writer thus sums up the match:— # "Saturday's Test match should convince the critics that the representative team of Australia is still able to make a good showing against the world's best. The selected team from New Zealand was actually surpassed in play by the blues, though the visitors took the opportunity offering and registered the only score of the match. Seldom have the blacks been so sorely pressed and even though all matches with New Zealand are interesting, 'it is doubtful if any ever proved more exciting than the first Test of the present series. The struggle for mastery, the resolute defence of the blacks, and'the general all-round play of both teams showed the Rugby of other years. It took the New Zealanders to bring the best out of our men, and the best was good enough to hold the honours on actual play. "Australia lost through failing to make full use of the wind in the first half. Instead of lofty kicking with the forwards charging down, Wood and most of his fellow-backs used the line. When the punts were infield, they were too long, and only served to tire the forwards. On actual play the Australian team covered itself with glory. In regard to captaincy, it failed in the first half. In the second, spell matters were much better, and it was very evident that the blues had been instructed to keep the ball on the ground always. The forwards, notwithstanding the blacks' extra weight, remained strong to the finish, and there have been but few exhibitions by the vanguard of Australian fifteens superior to Saturday's display. They were New Zealand's masters in the scrums, line-outs, and -*uek, though the visitor* contested every inch of the journey, and often gave Dwyer a taste of the medicine the blues were serving out to Ryan and the other sturdy defenders who saved the blacks. AUSTRALIANS IMPROVED.

"It was a forward battle, contested grimly and determinedly. The local players improved considerably on their showing of the first Saturday. The five Queenslanders also made a wonderful difference, and Flynn shone, where Jones was not a striking success in the first game. He played well up on to his opponent, and his quick following and tackling served to place the home team on the attack very often when otherwise the return kick would have saved the position. Francis did good work in defence, but seemed a little out of it generally. There were occasions when he failed to judge the situation well, but his sturdiness in defence was always good. Dwyer approached his old form at full-back with the ball in the air, and his catching was faultless, while he "showed great pace on occasions in reaching the ball on the full. His kicking, on the whole, was good, though this will be better in the remaining matches now that he has struck form. He was not quite at his best with the ball on the ground, but Dwyer is sure to give more of his dazzling exhibitions in all-round work before the tour of the All Blacks is finished.

"The home three-quarters were not as good in defence as they should have been. Wogan antf Carr were both bright in attack, but there was a want of determination in their defence. BLACK BACKS DEFEND WELL.

1 ' The backs of the All Blacks proved that they can defend as well as attack. O'Brien's display was faultless at fullback, while veteran Eyan proved the stoutest defender on the side. Dick Eoberts did some great work in this way also, but Lynch was not so good, except in his long line-finding kicks, which were a handicap to the blues when a penalty pulled them up. Taylor did not show up as prominently as in the first game, and Black and Roberts were shifty on attack, but were not the brilliant pair of the opening engagement.

1 ' In the forwards, Graham proved himself a much more aggressive winger than Murray, but should exercise more control over his temper. 'Ranji' Wilson was the same old, reliable player in both attack and defence, and the rest of the forwards played with characteristic dash and resoluteness.

"The really attractive work of the day, however, was with the home forwards, who had control almost the whole game. Their coaching of the past few weeks has borne excellent results. To beat an All New Zealand set of forwards is an honour few combinations have had. If they c;an do it again, on a fine day Australia should win the third test on August 15. Baker and Wallach are greatly improved players, and George also showed his best form. Watson did yeoman service in rush stopping and hard ruck work, Avhile Thompson was, as usual, in excellent form. The Queenslanders filled their parts in-first-class style; Williams hooked well, while Murphy and Thompson were an acquisition to the side. It should do a great deal" for the amateur game." ________________