TWO VIEWS OF MATCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 292, 23 September 1935, Page 6

TWO VIEWS OF MATCH.

ENGLISH PLAY IMPROVED.

VISITORS BACKS TOO SLOW

LONDON, Sept. 22

The Rugby expert of the “Bradford Observer” discounts invidious comparisons of the All Blacks with predecessors. He declares it would be a fatal mistake to believe that they are of a lower class. On the otber hand, the Englishmen’s strong resistance* at Bradford and Coventry suggests an improvement in tlio English Btafidard .., AftereoVeiv the All Blacks so far

have not discovered their best playing combination, especially in the pack, which must be built up like any club pack. Also the visitors still lack Hadley, their best hooker, whereas Cottington, the Scottish hooker, knew his job thoroughly. The New Zealanders’ low scores may finish with an abruptness which will shock opponents, especially as circumstances have combined to put a favourable complexion on the home players they have so far encountered. E. H. D. Sewell, writing in the “Sunday Graphic,” however, expresses the opinion that the manner in which scratch fifteens are holding the All Blacks is the most comforting feature of Rugby to-day. The New Zealanders will not get the best results until Caughey plays at centre or on the Wing, for he is too big for a five-eighths, Sewell declares. Nevertheless, the New Zealanders are a good team, and the apparent equality of the English teams in the forwards is deceptive. The All Blacks’ chief weakness is lack of notable speed behind the scrum, and the first really fast hacks they meet should beat them, Sewell says.

COMMENT ON THE PLAY.

FORWARDS FORCE THE PACE. LONDON, Sept, 21. The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the game, says the All Blacks fielded another experimental team. The forwards, who had been lectured by Mr Meredith and Manchester after the poor showing at Coventry, seemed determined to make amends and forced the pace from the outset, although it is problematical 'whether their condition was sufficiently good to last the game out. The packing and rucking were hard. The Counties team included three internationals, Booth (England), Cottington (Scotland), and Mcßoss (Ireland), who played well. The New Zealanders, early in the game, were called on to defend their line for a long period. Corner was prominent, making some fine saves.

FIVE CASUALTIES.

DALTON MAY NOT PLAY FOR A MONTH.

LONDON, September 21.

The All Blacks now have five casualties—Dalton, Hore, Page, Mahoney, and Hadley. Dalton’s knee is worse than was at first thought, and it is unlikely that he will play for a month. Mahoney has a badly-sprained ankle, and is confined to the hotel. Hore has a rheumatic cold and was unable to get up to-day. Pepper replaced him. Medical opinion is that Mr Meredith will be lame for six weeks. RESULTS OF THE TOUR. Results of the All Black tour of the Home countries to date are as follow: Points Points

For. Against. v. Devon-Cornwall . 35 6 v. Midland Counties 9 3 v. York-Cumberland 14 3 Total 58 12