ON MERIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1937, Page 16

ON MERIT.

WHY AUSTRALIA WON.

POSSESSION OF THE BALL

LOSERS' WEAK TACKUQCG.

Superior team work gave the Australian Rugby League tonring team a win over Xew Zealand in the first Test at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon by 12 points to 8. The narrow margin of tiie visitors' win was flattering to the home side. The Kangaroos received a feast of the ball, and it is evident that with a little more play together they will be capable of better things than they accomplished in this, the initial game of a tour which is to embrace England and France. Xew Zealand started off promisingly, and held the visitors to 6 all at the interval, but in the end they were beaten by a better side.

Possession is said to be nine points of the law; in tue League game it is everything. In putting the team they did into the field the Xew Zealand selectors took a big risk, and as things turned out the Australians did practically what they liked in the set scrums. The result was that their backs had endle:-r chances. Had they made the most of the good things that came their way the Australians would have won by a much greater margin. It was the Australians' first match of a long tour and t y have yet to settle down. They showed glimpses of combined play. The traditional scissors pass wae used on occasions, they were ever ready to reverse a movement to make the chance better and they ran hard and faet for , the line when the way was open. There was more finish about the Australian ' play, and it is evident that League in Xew Zealand has yet to reach a higher standard. ?•.

Generally the game was not a brilliant exhibition of League football, but the play was of, a very high order at time* and the scoring was close enough to hold interest until nearly the end of the game. Colourful Backs. In possession the Australian backs were a very colourful lot and although there wae a marked lack of finish in their efforta at times they certainly gave the impression that they could be quite a formidable combination. They shaded the New Zealand backe all the way In serum possession of the ball the Australian forwards won all the honoure but in the loose play the New Zealand' pack took np the burden with enthusiasm and in that branch of football the Australians had nothing to teach

It wae a match in which attack was much more prominent than defence. The Australians showed a fine conception of covering defence, and in that respect the New Zealanders failed. Too often the man in possession was allowed to run and bluff hie way along. There were exceptions, bat often, far too often, tbe home defence fell far short of what wae expected of H.

A visit of an Australian team must necessarily revive memories of former combinations, of teams that had stars of the versatility of Horder, or backs with the finesse of a Gorman, or an Aynsley, and judged by what Auckland epectators have eeen before the comparison ie against the present tonriste, although it is certain that they will settle down and do better in their general team work. Comment on the Player*. In Ward, Australia fielded a very capable full-back who was never seriously at fault and was not overburdened with work.

McLean, who has been nailed as the greatest wing in. Australia during the. past decade, certainly impressed with his speed,' but Hazefton, on the other wing, was more impressive, and his ability to .force, a passage in the face of opposition made him a menace to New Zealand when the line was in eight. Beaton, in the centre, will probably compare with any of the centres *hat Australia has had in the past, and his strong, running I,lam* the New Zealand defence into a sad tangle at times. There was thrust-and speed in the visit ore , half-back line, and Williams and >"torman were both mercurial on attack. As a pair, however, they did not blend to perfection. Williams swung the ball away from the scrums with a beautiful long and accurate pass, and Norman at times with sheer speed and elusive running penetrated deeply. Yet for brilliance he was scarcely ihjeiJiorman that Auckland had known on other occasions. Pngg was; tfie outstanding 'Australian forward, Gibbs and Pearce were, often m th> y picture, while Nolan had a feast of possession when it came to hooking. ■:'%£■-■ For -New; Zealand Watene played soundly ist full-back, Davison stood out as a hard-running three-quarter, and Tittleton was one of the few who was good in attack and defence alike. The New Zealand forwards were triers all thec way: aifti Bidet marks for' constant endeavour would prob/ably go to Gault, Glyhn and Tetley, the latter showing great versatility and being quite brilliant in the open play at times. On the whole, New Zealand, with limitations, put up a very good showing. It was creditable to them that they kept the Australian margin as close as it was. How the Score* Came.

First points came to New Zealand as the result of a right flank-passing bout, in which R. ...Chase_and W._Tittleton were .prominent. Finally Halloran received and when well held lie in-passed crisply to Bk-kerton and the nippy fiveeighths dived over' for a good try. Davison's kick failed. New Zealand 3, Australia 0. New Zealand continued- to pres» and the backs fanned out for Davison. to score-"in the corner" after a great dash, along touch./ The, ecorer could not improve the position. New Zealand 6, Australia -0. Australia fought back" And exploited all the tricke. of the game, and they were rewarded when, after a desperate forward battle, Stehr gathered near New Zealand's last line and battled his way over. Beaton failed $p convert, New Zealand>6, Australia «*.> -Mi* Australians now began to ha've the better of the- jraine. but the New..ZealantL'Jdefence.held them with biwtlinir tafctics until Hear the interval. Then the visitors opened un for Beaton to nenetrate d?enly to send the sneedy McLean in. at the., corner. . Once more. Ben ton's kick nailed, wide of the mark an 4 the half-time scdre wtfe:—

New Zealand - .. ;. -Jft 6 • '. \ Australia, -:,.^.,.^.. -;?Vf ....-. e ! 5i New Zealand, Gorged to the front again shortly" alter the 1 change over when Davieon 'landed a penalty goal Then cam* the moet brilliant piece of

W. PRIGG, the Kangaroo captain. work of the day. Gibbs, the big Australian forward, started it in his side's own territory by bursting through the defence. Beaton accepted a long pas*, drew the defence cleverly and sent the ball on to Hazelton. who fended off all tacklere ■to score wide out. Beaton's shot at goal failed. Australia 9, New Zealand 8. The Australians continued to have the better of the exchanges and before the end came Hazelton finished off a combined parsing bout in grand style. Beaton failed to convert and the final score was:— Australia 12 New Zealand 8 Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.