HOW AUCKLAND WON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 121, 24 May 1935, Page 12

HOW AUCKLAND WON.

RUGBY REP. MATCH.

NORTH'S HEAVY DETEAX

BRILLIANCE OF HEDGE

(By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.)

WHANGAREI, this day

A crushing defeat, for which the forwards take most of the honours, was inflicted by Aucklaud upon North Auckland in a special trial match at Rugby Park yesterday, the \isitors winning by 2i points to 5. In the role of strenuous defenders in the first spell Auckland showed up in a most favourable "t'at, and only once did a slashing North forward attack succeed. Auckland's defence was superb. J-' l -™ was a metamorphosis in the second halt when Auckland, settling down to excellent team work, swept and scattered a bewildered Northern defence. luey scored 21 points in a hectic second spell. The North Auckland pack, always i.i 1 ot rugged, bustling forwards, was good. but not good enough. Their wonderlul dash with a heavy wind behind them in the first spell kept them hammering on tho Auckland line, but a complete laok ol finish to their efforts crippled many a scoring chance. There were times wß«j the pressure was so great that it seemed certain the Auckland defence must wilt, but never once was that gallant defence under suspicion. Full of Interest. It was a match full of interesting phases. The North Auckland side .iad been in strict training for a week under | the direction ot I. i'inlayson and Karl I liwcrsen. two famous All Blacks of otner I days. They had also played a match together. On the other hand tire Auusland side played together for the hrst time, and after a strenuous night s travelling, it was a somewhat jaded fifteen which took the field. Some of tnuin had not got to bed until after two having been toured round the countryside for miles by drivers who took the wrong turning. , Perhaps their long motor journey incl the fact that they had been cramped in three cars explained Auckland's jacK 01 assertion in the first spell. It took then a long time to settle down, and there wo.c few occasions in the first half that they attacked with nny system; Just as tnc North pack had kept a strangle hold on the game in the first spell, so the Auckland eight took complete command in t,ne second. Something Missing. The Auckland pack did almost everything that a good pack should do. J hey won the ball at will with lladley s uiibentiible hooking, they crashed away from line-outs wTiere the height of Weber and McLean was invaluable, and they serewwl the scrum perfectly, frequently only to lose control of the ball. That was the only phase oi their forward attack lu which there was something missing. Knight was a real master in hie control of the scrum and he ruled its activities with an iron hand. It was disappointing to see dribbling attacks collapse after Knight had so perfectly screwed the serum. However, it was a feature or Auckland's play that can and will be remedied by practice. ' McLean distinguished himself by a brilliant display of loose forward play, but there was a suspicion that he was not pushing as hard as he might have in the tight. The same could be said of fr. Solomon. In the first spell, when all the weight of the Auckland pack was essential, he stuck to them, but in the second, when Auckland were swarming the North line, he hung on the fringe and attempted to play his old role of wing-forward-rive-eigimi. He played to some purpose and effect in the second, but it would have been better to have seen him playing as a forward. The Auckland pack cannot afford to have too many men who want to shine in the pack alone. Pepper played a rattling game throughout, and lladley did some clever things, while A. Brown, until he got a severe kick on the leg, showed astonishing epeed in pursuit. Backs in the Mud. With a slippery ball and a ground that in places was ankle deep in mud. it was not a day for sparkling back attack. Perhaps it was just as well for North Auckland, for the Auckland back line showed enough to convince that they should develop into a brilliant attacking force. Corner played excellently behind the Auckland pack. He gave swift service when Auckland wanted the ball, and his defensive work throughout was superb. But for sheer brilliance Hedge, at first fiveeighth, stood alone. His try was one of those rare flashes that make the name so fascinating. He completely bluffed the North five-eighths, Cooney and Johns, and shot between thorn before they could lay a hand on him. Then, instead of straightening up, he ran diagonally with all speed, and the slow-moving Kerr could got nowhere near him. Hedge's new partner, D. Solomon, who last year won a place from Waikato in the North-South match, revealed himself to be the type that Auckland has been looking for. He has a beautiful pair of hands, height, weight and pace. Hie tackling was at all times deadly and hjs ability to pick up a rolling ball from tfta very feet of the opposing forwards and finer the line makes his defence outstanding. Auckland's line were a starved trio. They seldom swung into concerted attack, mainly for the reason that Knight elected to keep the ball chiefly to the forwards. Caughey saved brilliantly several times with fine line kicks when Auckland were in difficulties. Kedgley was sound, while Brown was rewarded for his enterprise by being , chosen in the combined team for the All lilack trial match on June 3. ' . Bush's Fine Game. . Once again Bush showed his ability to adapt himself quickly to any conditions. He had a tremendous amount of work to do in the first spell and ho had to kick against a heavy wind. His line kicks wore short, but always accurate , . Tinie land again- he threw himself at the feet of the oncoming North pack to smother the ball and give the Auckland defence time to recover. With the wind behind him in the second spell, he kicked with tremendous length and accuracy, and his goal-kicking with a sodden, greasy ball was exceptional. North Auckland's pack was a whirlwind in the first spell, but in the second they were never allowed to be anything but solid defenders. Only twice did they raid with any sort of success. Morrissey, Cooper, C. White and Ross (who last year played for College Rifles and Auckland) were by far the beet of a rugged lot. There was little to commend the play of the Northern backs. Panapa, the half, did a good job of work, but was not great. Their best was undoubtedly Cooney, at second five-eighth. The North fielded two 13st three-quarters, one of whom, Davis, went off with a broken finger before he had time to show his capabilities. The other. R. White, looked and was dangerous. ' We will learn all about him in the trial match, for he should have plenty of opportunities outeide Caughey. It was a most satisfactory opening for Auckland's rep. season. The team is excellently balanced, but it is likely that great holes will be left when the All Blacks are chosen.

MAORI TOUR OF AUSTRAZJEA.. PROGRAMME FINALISED. WELLINGTON, this day. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) The programme tentatively arranged in Australia for the Maori Rugby team's tour lias been endorssd by the New Zealand Rugby Union management committee, except that a proposed match at Newcastle on August 7 has been eliminated from the itinerary. The team will leave Wellington on July 4 for Sydney. The programme will be:— Monday, July 8, leave Sydney foxQueensland; Tuesday, July 9, arrive at Warwick; Wednesday, July 10, play Warwick; Thursday, July 11, proceed to Bris-

bane- Saturday, July 13, play Queensland; at Brisbane; Monday July BrtaK Saturday, July 20 play Qu^bDubbo and eave for Sydney; Inursdaj, July 25 arrive at Sydney; Saturday, July 27 play New South Wales, at Sydney; Monday July 29, leave for Melbourne; Wednesday, July 31, play country match in v"ctoria (probably an exhibition match with a Victorian team); Saturday, August 3 "lav Victoria at Melbourne and leave for Sydney: Monday, August J) (bank holkSy) Piny New South Wata, at Sydney: Saturday August 10, &**.*"? South Wales, at Sydney and tor Auckland after the match.