BETTER FORM SHOWN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25207, 11 June 1947, Page 7

BETTER FORM SHOWN

INSIDE BACK PLAY SHARPER FORWARDS NOT AT PEAK OF FITNESS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 10.

The All Blacks showed better form than in their match against New South Wales last Saturday, but still were not at their best. Seventeen points were too many to give away against a team like the one met to-day. The All Black defence needs tightening. The present weaknesses are partly attributable to the failure of the forwards to back up the backs quickly and consistently. This in turn arises from the forwards being not yet at the peak of their fitness. In this respect, to-day’s pack was better than the one which played on Saturday, but an improvement is still needed for the test next Saturday. It looks as if the All Blacks will probably reach the peak of their form just after the first test. To-day’s inside back play was much sharper than on Saturday, Bevan, in spite of the handicap of a boil on hia neck, playing a neat and steady game, and Couch giving passing movements a flying start by his speed off the mark. Couch also varied his game nicely, exploiting a neat stab kick when unable to penetrate, one of these leading to a try. _ * . Smith made the opening for the first try and constantly sought to pierce the defence, but was uncertain m his handling, as also was Goddard. Goddard again showed impressive speed in attack when allowed room to move. McLean raced half the length of the field for two spectacular tries, but on neither occasion did he have to do

anyining uuu Argus Impressive Argus was more impressive, though he had fewer opportunities. His try was a gem. From a scrum on the sideline he moved into the five-eighth position as the baU came out, took a pass going at top speed through the defence in a diagonal run, fended off one tackler, evaded two others, and scored by the posts. A half gale probably accounted for some of the misdirected and dropped passes, the high number of which contributed to the general scrappmess of th TTteNew South Wales fifteen had a heavy and strong pack. Stenmark, Kraefft, Shehadie, and Dennett are all six-footers. The front row included Furness, the hooker last .Saturday, Turnbull, an Australian representative in 1938 and 1939, and Davis, a Victorian, who narrowly missed selection for the first test. It is certain that although some of these torwards cannot get into the New South Wales firsts at present, they will b» chosen in the Australian team for B The All Blacks’ forwards ttfiis had a heavy day and came out of it with more credit than on Saturday. They showed more fitness and vigour in their work, and it is apparent they are working up to their top form. Thornton, White, and Arnold were very active, the last-named backing up in traditional All Black style to be in position for the first try. Willocke worked hard in the tight, as did Connolly, who, however, needs a game or two more to reach top condition. Simpson, handicapped by a knock on an ankle, nevertheless played a bustling ga The New Zealand forwards were better to-day than on Saturday at getting round the scrums and among the opposing inside backs. Cawsey, who may be the second half-back for the tour of Britain, was several times caught in possession, which hardly ever happened to Burke last Saturday. Matched for height in the line-outs, the All Blacks by no means dominated this phase of the play, although their work showed evidence of careful coaching and increasing effectiveness.

Lesson for All Blocks The All Blacks learnt a lesson to be on constant watch for a quick throwin from the first try by New South Wales, The home wing, forced into touch by the flag, simply stood up and tossed the ball straight in to one of his forwards who was backing him up. and he only had to toll over the Ime for a try. This move is frequently worked in Australia, and it is just os well the All Blacks got to know it before the tests. Webster was caught out of position and in possession once or twice. Nevertheless, he made a satisfactory debut. His goal-kicking was excellent, yielding four conversions and a penalty goal. He showed good judgment in allowing for the wind in his kicks at goal. Goal-kieking appears to be the only department in which New Zealand is certain to have an advantage over Australia in the tests. So many matches here are played on sunny, calm days that the home players are inexperienced in goal-kicking in winds or with a heavy ball. The All Blacks seem likely to be able to match the Australians for speed in the backs, although earlier in the season the Australians, judging on their experience in New Zealand last season, expected that they would be much faster. Spectacular speed was shown to-day, for instance, in try-scoring runs by Goddard, McLean, and Argus, all of which were brilliant individual efforts. The main threat to New Zealand is by the big, fast, and fit Australian forwards, all of whom are right at the peak of their form and fitness. F. R. Allen had a jog trot at practice to-day. He will fly to Brisbane to-morrow for treatment to his leg injury, and he hopes to be able to play in the test. It is somewhat doubtful if Smith’s knee will allow him to play at centre for the test. Hobbs is also unlikely to be fit for the test.