BLACKS’ DEFEAT

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 256, 13 July 1926, Page 11

BLACKS’ DEFEAT

MEMORABLE VICTORY FOR NEW SOUTH WALES COMMENTS OF SYDNEY PAPERS WORK OF LOCAL FULL-BACK HIGHLY PRAISED BY telegraph.—Press Association. •loPY IIG‘V' Sydney, July 12. The “Sydney Morning Herald,” commenting on the All Blacks match against New South Wales, says: “Showing surprising dash and tackling splendidly, the lighter New South Wales players secured a memorable victory against the 1926 All Blacks. During tlie second half, when the score stood at 20 points to 9 in favour of New South Wales, and defeat stared the All Blacks in the face, the New Zealanders arose to great heights. Attack after attack was launched against the home line, the All Black forwards fighting their way through in characteristic fashion, but they were braveIv met. No praise can be too great of A. W. Ross (full-back for New South Wales). He was magnificent, and time and again he relieved awkward situations in face of fiery forward rushes, while he also kicked with accuracy. The losers’ backs, though clever in individual efforts, did not display any combination, and their handling was poor. The forwards worked hard and used their weight in the line-outs to advantage, but their tackling was faulty.” The “Daily Telegraph” says:— “Above all others in the field stood Ross. Supremely confident, he gave a display which can be classed with those of the greatest seen in Sydney. He was faultless in handling, kicking and tackling, while he was imbued with the coolness of a veteran. Tn playing a wing-forward New Zealand gave New South Wales nine points in penalty goals, which was more than the martrin in the final scores. It is still a debatable question, especially after this game, whether it pays to play one player purely as a wing-forward. On the'other hand, Porter performed prodigious feats in both attack and defence, and was in every movement.”— Press Assn.