All Blacks Win Untidy, Dull Match By 15-5

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29829, 23 May 1962, Page 15

All Blacks Win Untidy, Dull Match By 15-5

(Spatial Correspondent NZ.P.A.) BRISBANE, May 22. In an extremely untidy match, the All Blacks beat Queensland by 15 points to 5 at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground this evening. The game, dictated by the prevailing conditions, was a fairly dull spectacle, and was a poor pre-test game for the New r Zealanders.

The ground was dotted with large pools of water, from a violent thunderstorm two hours before the match started. Mainly because of the slippery ball, the handling by both sides was well below standard.

The New Zealanders also played under the added handicap that for most of them it was their first or possibly second match under floodlights.

Much of the big Rugby in Queensland is played under lights, and the State players had this advantage. Even so the New Zealanders were expected to produce a better performance. Before the match it was said that all 15 of the side were on trial, as far as test selection was concerned. On their showing tonight, not one looked a certainty. The All Blacks scored three tries (McKay. Nathan, and Tremain) and two penalties (D. B Clarke) to a converted try by Queensland 10 minutes from the end.

Clarke had numerous opportunities of reaching the total of 500 points for New Zealand. He went into the game needing 10 more, but he could manage only six points.

With next Saturday's test on the same ground, it can only be counted a disappointing match from New Zea-

land's point of view—and possibly an encouraging one for Australia. The teams were:— All Blacks: D. B. Clarke; D W. McKay, T. P O Sullivan. J. R. Watt; R. C. Moreton. B. A. Watt; D M. Connor: V. M. Yates; K. R. Tremain. K. C. Barry, S. T. Meads. W. J. Nathan: J M Le Lievre, D. Young. I. J. Clarke. Queensland: D Clark; L McDermott, T. Latukesu, R Marks: I. Thomas, F Bennett: O. Edwards; A. Evans: T

Carew. P. Stevens. P Perrin, J. GueraMimoff; M. Brew. M. Baker. L. Williams. The referee was Mr B. O'Callaghan. Effective Opposition The State side had been billed as the weakest Queensland team in years, but its opposition was almost as effective as that displayed by New South Wales on Saturday. A lively set of backs had the New Zealanders’ defences in trouble more than once, while the forwards were a vigorous bunch, especially in the second half.

In the first half they had no effective counter to the All Black-style foot rushes, but after half-time they made almost as many sorties with the ball at their feet as did the New Zealanders. Of the All Blacks, two who could have enhanced their test chances were the forwards, Barry and Nathan.