THE LAST-MINUTE CHANGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 6

THE LAST-MINUTE CHANGES.

SURPRISE TO MEMBERS OF TEAM SEVERAL ROUGH ENCOUNTERS. (Received This Day, 9.13 a.m.) LONDON, October 31. The special correspondent of the United Press Association of New Zealand, commenting on the game at Newport, says that Mr Meredith suiprised even members of the team by lastminute changes, - particularly the substitution of Mitchell for Caughey, who is yery fit. Mi' Meredith undoubtedly believes that Mitchell is much safer in wet, -heavy going. Hore and McKenzie have also shown good form on wet diays.McLean and Hadley are still on the injured list. Thus bad luck still pursues the team. Hadley and McLean were just reaching their New Zealand form.

Incessant rain throughout the morning, following 10 days’ intermittent wet weather, badly affected the ground, Newport enthusiasts believed that the local side would be greatly favoured by the heavy ground and also hoped that the young, virile pack would hold the All Blacks.

Mi- Freethy, the referee who ordered off Brownlie at Twickenham in 1924, was originally selected to superintend the match, but was unable to accept. Eighteen thousand people were present, but, given fine weather, there would! have been a record attendance, and that at Newport in 1924 would probably have been eclipsed. New Zealand began spiritedly, aiming at.an early lead, following the example at Cardiff, where they won the game in the first 13 minutes. Despite the heavy going the forwards made every effort to get the ball to the backs, enabling them to score before the ball was slippery and heavy. Tindill and Corner Avere unlucky to be playing under such conditions, which did not suit the backs. They may not have many more chances of gaining places in international sides. The early stages saw New Zealand handling well and! holding their opponents on the line for a long spell. Tindill, who; had been long awaiting a

chance, did not make any mistake with his field goal. The early reverse spurred on Newport, who had been dominated for a long period, Allen heating Mitchell before passing to Knowles. TJie winger had a clear run, but Hart got him from behind.

The Newport forwards were magnificent in the rucks and kept up the attack amid tense excitement, several times being within an ace of scoring. Gilbert was repeatedly called upon to save the All Blacks, whose forwards then rallied, pushing Newport several yards. The visitors also tried heeling, and once took the ball three-quarters of the length of the field. The spectators hooted the referee’s decisions against Newport when the forwards . were offside. The forwards battled fiercely while on one occasion several blows were exchanged which the referee did not see. The home forwards maintained their deputation for eleyerness in loose scrums. Nevertheless, the All Blacks’ pack fought gallantly, considering that Hoi’e and McKenzie were included at the last moment, packing very low and making an effort to get under their opponents. Mitchell was greatly applauded for a dashing run. Beating five or six forwards, he gave a long pass to Ball, who accepted at top speed, but slipped in swerving past an opponent. Mahoney aroused amusement by taking a mark and giving the ball to Gilbert for the kick. The referee made the marker take the kick.

The All Blacks for a period of 10 minutes were dominant and persistently attacked, Tindill and 1 Corner combining well, and New Zealand had a chance after all the backs had handled hut the ball was dropped in the final pass. The All Black forwards again broke up over-quickly, the opposing forwards repeatedly overwhelming Comer as in several previous games. The forwards now adopted shock tactics, crashing in the scrums. Both front rows were standing off and charging head down. The referee spoke to both sides, Hore, King, Lamboum and Mahoney, going great guns. From a line-out, King gained 20 yards, using his weight to bump off his opponents. The forwards maintained pressure, exhibiting great speed. McKenzie once outpaced three backs and was unlucky not to score. Virile forward contests continued, the home team being the chief sinners. The referee spoke to a player awarding a penalty against Newport, schoolboys, counting him out. McKenzie’s goal from 35 'yards out was one of the sensations of the tour, the New Zealanders shaking hands with him. J There was further hooting when a Newport player was knocked out in taking a mark. The game ended excitingly, swaying up and down the field. Fog marred the closing stages. The All Black backs for once played well without Oliver. Tindill played his best game or the tour. He often pierced' the defence. He gave many fine passes. Mitchell and Griffiths handled well. Gilbert, despite having heeri injured, was rocklike in defence and is a great wet ground player.

PRESTIGE. GREATLY SNCREASEp.

IMPROVEMENT IN FORWARDS. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 31. Critics applaud the All Blacks for their clever win under difficult conditions. m r Howard Marshall, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: “It was as fine a performance in a dour game as one could wish to see. The All have greatly increased their prestige.” The “Daily Mail” says that the New Zealanders adapted themselves to conditions surprisingly well. The forwards have unquestionably improved, especially in line-outs.

THE LONDON COUNTIES TEAM.

SEVEN INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS. (Received This D'ay, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, October 31. The. London Counties team to play against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday is as follows: Fullback: Jenkins. Three-quarters: Unwin, Lind, Dick, Favell.

Halves: Candler, Bolt. . Forwards:’ Thompson, John, Kendrew, Pratley, Reidy, Thom, Brook, and Swayne. Jenkins is a Welsh international, Lind, Dick and Thom are Scottish internationals, and Kendrew, Brook and Swayne are English internationals.

ALL BLACK TEAM FOR TO-MORROW. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 31. The All Blacks against London Counties is: Full-back: Solomon. Three-quarters: Hart, Mitchell, Ball. Five-eighths—Caughey, Tindill. Half-back: Corner. Forwards: Hore, Hadley, Pepper, Reid, King, Manchester, Wynyard, McKenzie.