N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 12

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

(By E. H. MAIR.) - HARROGATE, November 14. The most important match of the tour *_,s the second Test match at Hull yesterday on their famous Boulevard Ground. The first Test at Wigan on the second of last month ended in a victory for the Englishmen by 28 points to 20 after a great recovery by the All Blacks In the second half. The result of this game meant everything to New Zealand, for defeat meant the ".ishes" would again be held by England, and naturally dim the interest to a certain degree in the remainder of the matches of the tour. The worst of the weather conditions are in front of us still, and yesterday at Hull, despite the greatest draw of the tour, demonstrated the effect that rain alone can have on the attendance at a match. Allowing for. the coai strike, the attendance at Wigan was only £1650. and it was thought that this amount at least would be reached. The weather conditions could not have been worse, and there is no doubt that the early start of the game and the 2/ charge for admission seriously affected the attendance. These days in England the workers have not the 2/. Moreover, playing the Test at Hull necessitates more travelling than if it were held in some of the other areas, and the extra expense makes it impossible for the rank and file to find the necessary. However, such a paltry amount as £592 for a Test match was a colossal shock, for there were only about 7000 present. England had made six changes—two hacks and four forwards—from thenfirst Test team, and it was a stronger side. Particularly was this noticeable in their forwards, who finished much stronger than the English pack in the first Test—England's weakness that day —and also had more snap than our pack in the last twenty minutes. This is where we shone in the first Test, and in this one went down. The selectors were faced with the awkward task of picking a team that would help the position. They selected two forwards •who had played 14 and 16 matches respectively out of 17, and the other four members of the pack had played only 1, 2, 6, and 6 matches respectively out of 17. In a game, particularly a Test, where every player must be able to stick it for the full SO minutes, he must not be stale, and, on the other hand, he must have had sufficient match play to see the game through 'without dying away. It was unfortunate that Parkes (who has been the most successful hooker of the side) and' Thomas (on his form in the matches, no superior in the team) had to be eliminated, but when the selectors' position is realised they are to be sympathised with instead of criticised. We did not see much of the ball from the scrums, which gave our backs plenty of chasing to do, and naturally made a difference to them when it came to their turn to attack.

SECOND TEST IN ENGLAND. HOME PLAYERS' SUCCESS. CLUMP IX ATTEXDA_.CE.

HARROGATE, November 14. The most important match of the tour ;ras the second Test match at Hull ycsterdav on their famous Boulevard

Ground. The first Test at Wigan on the second of last month ended in a victory for the Englishmen by 28 points to 20 after a great recovery by the All Blacks In the second half. The result of this game meant everything to New Zealand, for defeat meant the "fcshes" would again be held by England, and naturally dim the interest to a certain degree in the remainder of the matches of the tour. The worst of the weather conditions are in front of us still, and yesterday at Hull, despite the greatest draw of the tour, demonstrated the effect that rain alone can have on the attendance at a match. Allowing for. the coai strike, the attendance at Wigan was only £1650. and it was thought that this amount at least would be reached. The weather conditions could not have been worse, and there is no doubt that the early start of the game and the 2/ charge for admission seriously affected the attendance. These days in England the workers have not the 2/. Moreover, playing the Test at Hull necessitates more travelling than if it were held in some of the other areas, and the extra expense makes it impossible for the rank and file to find the necessary. However, such a paltry amount as £592 for a Test match was a colossal shock, for there were only about 7000 present. England had made six changes —two backs and four forwards —from thenfirst Test team, and it was a stronger side. Particularly was this noticeable in their forwards, who finished much stronger than the English pack in the first Test—England's weakness that day —and also had more snap than our pack in the last twenty minutes. This is where we shone in the first Test, and in this one went down. The selectors were faced with the awkward task of picking a team that would help the position. They selected two forwards •who had played 14 and 16 matches respectively out of 17, and the other four members of the pack had played only 1, 2, 6, and 6 matches respectively out of 17. In a game, particularly a Test, where every player must be able to stick it for the full SO minutes, he must not be stale, and, on the other hand, he must have had sufficient match play to see the game through without dying away. It was unfortunate that Parkes (who has been the most successful hooker of the side) and' Thomas (on his form in the matches, no superior in the team) had to be eliminated, but when the selectors' position is realised they are to be sympathised with instead of criticised. We did not see much of the ball from the scrums, which gave our backs plenty of chasing to do, and naturally made a difference to them when it came to their turn to attack.

The scnimmaging and scrummage methods in England to-day would not suit Xew Zealand followers, and when we left "God's Own Country - ' we thought we would learn something that would improve our scrummaging at home. As wretched at times as our scrums have been in Xew Zealand this season, they are not as bad as they are in England to-day. There is no uniformity in the matter of decision by referees. Some demand' that the ball be inserted in the *crum knee high, some will allow you to throw it iv from higher up, others contend that the ball should hit the "round first, again, the opposite, some allow the rake to go down on both knees, etc It is a case of a different reieree in 'practically even.- match, and there is only one thing left to do-make the best of it. There was not a slacker in the Xew Zealand side, and every man gave oi hi. best from whistle to whistle. Despite En-land's ten-point victory there was very little in it, they being slightly the better side on the afternoons periormance . On one occasion when the scores stood 13—11 against us, Dufty missed from an easy position. In fact the sodden ball had him puzzled, and he had a day off at goal kicking iroin position, which are his strong point. The Blacks were very unlucky on seven occasions from scoring, the "slippery sphere being very- difficult to hold. Petersen was unfortunate in not scoring from a bad fumble by Sullivan in the first minute of the game. Avery, Brisbane, and Dufty were just as unfortunate a little later. Brisbane, Dufty, Herring, Henry, Cole and Singe were also unfortunate in losing tries narrowly. One of the features of the games was the line kicking of Sullivan and Duity, particularly the former. Dufty'a presence in the team was necessary for his line and goal kicking, and he was played on the wing. It was unfortunate that Davidson's services were not available; he was chosen, but had to stand down at the last moment, his ankle not being strong enough. He has been the star back of the side, particularly in attack, and Brisbane in defence. The Xew Zealanders took the field thus: Full back, C. Gregory; three-quarters, L. Brown, J. Kirwan, H. Brisbane, C. Dufty: fiveeighth, H. Cole (who replaced Davidson) ; half-back, F. Delgrosso; forwards, F. Henry, W. Devine, E. Herring, A Singe, L." Petersen and B. Avery. Hail was not eligible, but will be sufficiently recovered from his dislocation trouble in a fortnight to train again. The referee was Mr. Dick Jones, from Widnes, who refereed our games with Dewsbury and Leeds. The game had not been long in progress when Devine intercepted a pass in England's twenty-five, and passed to Henry, to Avery, to Petersen, who scored. Dufty failed. The next try was equally as good. Rix fielded from the right wing, swerved into the centre, and passed to Sullivan on reaching Gregory, who in turn sent to Wallace, and the midget winger from St. Helens did the necessary. He is one of the oldest players in England to-day is Wallace, having played for over ten seasons for Barrow before transferring to St. Helens two seasons ago. Sullivan failed, and the scores were even—three all. England took the lead a little later, Sullivan goaling from a penalty. Eng-

land's next score was the result of heady play. From a scrum in Xew Zealand's twenty-five, Parkin sent to Sullivan, to Rix, who ran strong down the touch line. Reaching the opposition he sent an inpass to Fildes, from St. Helens, who went over. Sullivan failed. Xearing the interval Evans started an attacking movement for England, in which seven participated, Thomas scoring. Sullivan goaling made the half-time scores 13 to 3 in England's favour. Xew Zealand opened up the scoring first in the second half, Petersen breaking through, and losing the ball when tackled. Singe was handy, and picking up sent to Avery, who went over. Dufty missed an easy kick—l 3 plays 6. At this stage Xew Zealand received a free for obstruction, and Dufty 'this time made no mistake —13 plays S. Keen to wipe off the deficit. Kirwan gathered five minutes later, and drawing his man, sent to Avery, who sent a long pass to Brown on the wing. Lou held the ball and racing down the touch line at his top, reached his objective just in time. All eyes were on Dufty as he kicked for goal from the line, but it just missed the uprights—l 3 plays '11. England livened up and a forward dribble commenced by Gallagher culminated in Thomas scoring his second try. Sullivan failed—l 6to 11. The last try of the day was scored by Fairclough after receiving from Parkin. Sullivan made no mistake with the kick, and the final scores were 21 to 11 in England's favour.