SOUTH TRIUMPHS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 307, 25 September 1939, Page 3

SOUTH TRIUMPHS

Interisland Rugby Game On Saturday SUPERIOR RUCKING More Proficient Team Work By Visitors For the third year in succession the South Island has gained Rugby supremacy over the North Island. In the annual match at Athletic Park on Saturday South won, 25,19. Six points separated the teams, but South were at least 10 points the better side, largely because of more effective work in the rucks, which more than compensated for North’s superiority in the set scrums. Conditions were ideal and there was an attendance of 25,000. Before the game the teams shook hands with the Governor-General, Lord Galway, who was accompanied by the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. M. McKenzie, and the chairman of the management committee, Mr. S. S. Dean. The history of New Zealand Rugby contains frequent examples of the successes of teams which have proved adept at fast heeling from rucks, particularly where an opposing back has been caught with the ball. It has been greater proficiency in this essential phase of Rugby that has been responsible for the triumphs of the South Island in recent years, and it was again the main contributing factor on Saturday. George, Hemin and Parkhill, in particular, are pastmasters in this essential, and the trio proved real match-winners during the period in the second spell when the South rattled on three tries. Their work paved the way, but it had to be finished, and this task was admirably performed by a reliable set of backs and a brilliant winger, Sutherland, who gave one of the finest displays of threequarters football seen at Athletic Park for years. Running strongly and using a powerful fend, he was a constant menace to the opposition and scored three tries, all from movements after Tucks/ He was injured in the final stages and had to be carried qlf the field. His great work was not allowed to pass unrecognized, the crowd giving him a wonderful reception. From an All Black point of view, 'the game was eminently satisfying. There was ample poundage among both sets of forwards, North aggregating 119st. and South 117st. With the exception that there were few clean takes in the line-outs, in which phase of Rugby New Zealand has not yet regained her former proficiency, the forward play was of a uniformly high standard. Some of the North loose rushes were magnificent, but blemishes at critical moments, negatived the advantage. This was very noticeable once when McKenzie. Coull, McDonald, Jackson,’ and Reid shattered the defence with a glorious rush, but Reid hung on with several players calling for the ball.

Heeling In Rucks.

South concentrated on a tighter formation and were tigerish in the rucks. It was here that players such as George, Parkhill, Herfon, MacDonald, and Sherriff accomplished work that more often than not goes down unheralded and unsung because it is difficult to detect, but which is of vital importance. South were also superior in rucks after line-outs, of which there were many since the ball was rarely taken cleanly from the throw in. North preferred tapping the ball back to Tindill, and ‘Coull, McKenzie, Bowman, and Jackson were prominent in this art. South’s line-out play centred inainlv around King, Herron, and Williams, the first-named being probably the best line-out forward on the ground, though he might frequently have been penalized for “barging.” In the set scrums North were definitely superior, winning nine scrums to six' in the first spell and 12 to four in the second. Sixteen -were indecisive. Botli scrums appeared to have mastered the art of low packing, but the North were inclined to break too soon. Thus possession was sometimes of no value, as it. was secured "on tlie retreat.” which is never a favourable position for launching an attack. The ball also came out slowly at times.

North Pushed Off The Ball. It was a tribute to South packing that North were held and frequently pushed back. The latter had a substantial weight advantage, but weight is only of use if properly applied. Why it should be so is hard to explain, but for years South Island scrums have been more compact than North. There is every reason for llank scrtiinjnagers breaking when the opposition has the ball, but not before the ball is clear of their own scrum. On the general run of the play South backs were superior. North started off more brilliantly, Reid making one glorious thrust which might have yielded a try but for Wesney's clever anticipation, but thereafter there was more solidity and efficiency in the work of South backs, both on attack and defence. South adopted a slightly wider formation with the result that Grace was frequently running to Reid, North second five-eighths. Thus the room for the overlap was created, and though North defended resolutely, these tactics gave Sutherland just sufficient room to make the most of his fend and strong running. They were definitely superior tactics, even if Grace did bore across rather much at times, to Pearman’s grubber kick, which was overdone. Sullivan astutely tried to give more finish to North movements by doubling round for an extra pass. Even so, these tactics only once beat the rugged South defence. That was late in the game, when Jackson took* an inpass from Sullivan and scored, but was recalled for an infringement. Otherwise, South backs were superior in rounding off their passing movements. Dour Defelice. In the main, therefore, the back play was commendable, and ir was refreshing to see so many movements swing out to the threequarters. Both halfbacks accredited themselves well. Their work was of a high standard and very even in quality. Dour defence was another feature of the back play. Wesney excelling for South with tigerish tackling, and Sullivan for North with cleverly anticipated smother tackling and cover-defending. The work of both full-backs was serviceable, but left something to be desired. Neither measured up to Taylor, whose display in the early trial was his best for some time and right up to the best All Black .standard. The Flay Wesne.v hoisted the first points with a goal from a penalty A neat thrust

round the blind side of a scrum by Saxton paved the way for the next points, Grace crossing at the corner and Wesney goaling. Tindill then fed Schubert from a scrum. The Auckland _ .winger showed great speed to beat Morrison and flung a long pass infield, which McKenzie gathered to cross unopposed. Dyer missed the kick. Wesney increased South’s margin with a penalty goal when Schubert was caught off-side. Just before half-time Pearman made two deep thrusts, first to MeAneny’s flank, and, when the ball came in again, to Schubert’s flank. The latter missed his pass, but Sullivan snapped it up and raced over at the corner to make the half-time scores: South 13, North 6. South built up a commanding lead early in the second spell. A quick heel by George from a ruck enabled Saxton to send Sutherland over. Good work by King in a line-out and another quick heel from a ruck saw Saxton set his backs going, the ball sweeping out to Sutherland, who beat McAneny and Dyer to score, South leading 17-6. Pearman then goaled from a penalty—l 7-9. Clover work in the ruck by Herron saw Saxton make a deep thrust on the blind side and pass in to King and Sutherland, who scored, Wesney goaling -22-9. Easton fumbled a high punt, and Reid raced up to score, Pearman goaling.—22-14. Then Carson brilliantly scooped up a rolling ball, shot through a gap to give Reid a clear run in. Pearman goaling.—22-19.” South clinched the game with a try from a ruck after a line-out, Saxton passing to Sutherland, who was ’held up, but dropped the ball. Saxton snapped it up and dived over, making the final scores: South 25, North 19. The teams were: —

South Island: Easton; Sutherland, Wesney, Morrison : Perriatn, Grace ; Saxton ; George, Sherriff, MacDonald; William’s, King, Herron, Ward; Parkhili. North Island: Dyer; Schubert, Sullivan, Phillips' Reid, Pearman; Tindill; Jackson, Lnnibourn, Carson; McKenzie, Coull, McDonald. Reid; Bowman. In the first spell Phillips was injured and was replaced by McAneny. Referee: Mr. J. A. Malcolm (Auck* land j.