FIRST TEST

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 47, 25 August 1919, Page 11

FIRST TEST

AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND

FAST LEAGUE GAME

GREAT DISPLAY BY VISITORS,

The possibilities of football as played under Rugby League rules were demonstrated by a brilliant set of Australian players at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon. The occasion was the first test ma,tch between Australia and New Zealand, and to the 6000 spectators it will long be remembered as one of the finest exhibitions of football yet seen in Wellington. Weather conditions were good, and the ground, being used for the first time this season, was in excellent order. Noted for their fast and .superior knowledge, more particularly by previous performances of Australians in New Zealand, much was expected of the visitors, who this time comprise the. best players of both New South Wales and Queensland-^only representatives of the former State having come across on former occasions—and expectations were fully realised. Although they had only landed from the boat on Friday -and had not been in proper training for over two weeks, they gave a display that classes them as highly accomplished exponents of the League code. Harold Horder, regarded as the greatest player in Australasia, was among them, and his performance proved that he thoroughly deserves his, reputation, although L. Oiibitt, another splendid footballer, who had far more opportunities than Horder on Saturday, is almost on a par. In-the early stages of the game it was evident that the Australians were affected by the fortnight's spell, and the six days' tea voyage, out as the game progressed they gradually recovered their "land legs " until, in the second spell, their play completely outshone that of the All Blacks, the fast set of visiting backs piloting the ball from one to the other with machine-like precisions There were occasions on which the whole back division, as well as some of the forwards, participated in passing-rushes-^a spectacular display difficult to surpass. The All Blacks played well until the visitors were, properly in ac.-. tion, and then they fell away, leaving the Australians to score a comparatively easy victory W. Wilson (Wellington) being unable to play, he was replaced in the New Zealand team by A. Morns.

Among the spectators was, the Mayor (Mr. j. P Luke). The teams were as follow: —

Australia (maroon jerseys): Full-back, T. Sweeney (Queensland); three-quart ters, J. Robinson (N.S.W,), H. Gilbert (N.S.W.), L. Cubitt (N.S.W.), P. Hor, der (NS.W.); five-eighths, ■A. Johnson (N.S.W.); half-back, A. Halloway, cap, tain (N.S.W,); forwards, 0- Prentice (N.S.W.), C. O'Donnell (Queensland), F, Ryan (N.S.W.), F. Burge (N.S.W.),'A: Oxford (N.S.W.), and J. Watkins (N.S.W.). New Zealand (all black): Full-back, C, Dufty (Auckland); three-quarters, A, Morris (Wellington), G. Bradley (Wellington), K. Ifwerson, captain (Anck, land), G. lies (Auckland); five-eighths, J. Lang (Auckland); half-back, H. Neal (Auckland); forwards, S. Walters (Auck, land), S. Lowry (Auckland), W. Williams (Auckland), H. Avery (Auckland), W, King (Canterbury), and J. Scott (Weir lington). ...■.:■' FIRST SPELL. Taking the field—New Zealand in the lead, and somewhat lighter in appear, ance than the visitors—each team was loudly cheered. The usual exchange of greetings over—a <f hip-ray " from the New Zealanders and a "whoop-ray1' from the " Aussies "—the All Blacks set the ball in motion-against a light southerly breeze. There followed an inters change of kicks, and then Morris and Ifwerson engaged in a passing bout which gave the home team an ' advantage, Impose play ensued, and from this the visitors' made an advance, which was brpught to a stop by Dufty, who, ho.wever, lost ground by finding the line, The next few minutes saw a, brief rally by the home forwards, and a return by the Maroons, brought about by Lang missing a pass from Neal. This pressure by the Australians was temporarily re^ lieved by offside play. In sending the ball back Sweeney kicked too far, and a, force resulted. Play continued t° be of a loose character, and in this Bradley was noticeable, while: Halloway was do, ing well behind the visitors,' scrum, and on one occasion an effort brought about by him looked dangerous, but Surge vyas too eager, being penalised for offside play. In another good position Johnson kicked when a pass would have been more profitable, and a mark by Islea sending the Maroons back. Neither team was playing up to expectations, the visU tors having, no, doubt, not fully recovered from the voyage. No attractive features had been shown, and to those who eagerly watched the, renowned Border there may have been disappointment, until at length he made a bright movement in company with Gilbert, who fell to a deadly tackle by Bradley. The Australian "crack"' was quickly busy again, and this time he gave a display of side-stepping thatsurprised spectators as well as opponents, Neatly evading the opposition, he got over the line amid applause, and from a difficult angle Oxford converted. Australia ? New Zealand. 0 Following this the Australians opened 1 out, but severa.l times found Bradley a stumbling-block. The home forwards i were getting the ball in the s.cnun, but in making any headway the combination of the backs was not what it should have been. An attractive passing rush by Johnson, Cubitt, and Gilbert carried the leather to within a yard or two of the line; where Dufty broke the advance. Loose play followed, and ■ strenuous efforts of the AH Blades staved off the Maroons, If werson getting away. Morj ris next gathered up the leather, and failing to hear the whittle, ho, with Williams, made a great run and got over amid much laughter. It was-a good effort, spoilt by an infringement. But the All Blacks persisted, and Scott broke away. Ifwerson noticed the opportunity, and'picking up cleverly dived over. Dufty by a good kick equalised the scores. Australia • 5 New Zealand 5 In quick succession the visitors compelled the home team to force twice, and although passing rushes were not freely indulged in, play, mostly of a loose nature, remained in New Zealand territory. A free kick was awarded the Maroons, but Oxford failed, and for a brief spell the All Blacks were aggressive, • the forwards hooking the ball to advantage. Bradley marked in a good position, but Dufty's kick just missed. In another movement forward, Morris was noticeable, faulty handling spoiling the attack. This let the visitors away, and Johnson was pulled up near the line. There was a struggle, and then Oxford from the ensuing scramble fell over. His kick failed. Australia 8 New Zealand .- 5 As the game progressed the visitors' backs brightened, but could make little headway. The Blacks similarly improved, and an opportunity was given lies.

H« was in a splendid position to score, but a breach by an opponent called a halt. Dufty took the kiok with success Australia —. 8 New Zealand „.. 7

I Bradley, playing well, next put in a fine run, Bide-stepping several opponents, and sending the ball on to Walters and Morris. A forward paga, however, spoilt an almost certain try. Further combined efforts as well as high kicking and following up by the Maroon* took place, while the New Zealand pack, notably Williams, Avery, and Scott worked hard. Eventually, in a scramble in the Blacks' half, Horder 'secured, and by a remarkable side-stepping process eluded six opponents and scored. The extras were added by Oxford. Australia 13 New Zealand 7 At this the AH Blacks forced their way ahead, and were awarded a free kick. Ifwerson's attempt fell short, and Cubitt broke away. However, instead of passing to Horder on the wing he sent the ball infield, and a good chance was lost. Front a scramble, Halloway secured and sent the leather on to ■Johnson, who, in turn, fed Gilbert, and the latter completed a fine passing rush by scoring, Oxford converted. A neat combined, rush by-Morris and Bradley followed, and the visitors were again attacking as half-time sounded, with the I scores^ — Australia 18 New Zealand , 7 SECOND SPELL. An alteration was made in the New Zealand team on resuming, Neal and Lang exchanging positions. Improvea combination by the Australians was early apparent in the second spell. They threw the ball about in an attractive manner, and it was only splendid tackling by Ifwerson and Bradley that staved off the attacks. To make up the deficit the All Blacks were set a hard proposition, but a bout in which Ifwerßon, Bradley, and Morris vJere associated gained them much ground. To this the visitors replied with equal determination, and in stemming a rush Neal was hurt, and play ceased until he was able to resume. From a scrum Lang sent the ball downfield, and Avery, fallowing up, engaged with Ifwerson in a rush for the line. The latter succeeded, but his attempt to convert fell a. trifle short. " Australia' „ 18 New Zealand' v 10 Again the All Blacks were sent away, by lies, and in a loose scramble Bradley marked. Ifwerson failed with the kick, The Maroons replied by aggressive movements, but Watkins relieved th.c. situation. ' A spell of loose play in New Zealand's favour was cleverly change^ to a bright attack by a fine run by Sweeney, who at the right moment transferred the leather to Gilbert, a try resulting, Oxford further increased Australia's lead; by a good.''goal. Australia 23 New Zealand , „.„....,. 10 . At this stage the All Blacks lacked combination, while the visitors were rapidly improving, their clever passing bouts being a treat to watch. In turn Ifwersoft and Lang sent the Maroons back, and Avery was seen at the, head of a forward rush. From this the ball was kicked to midfield, and Dufty, securi ing near the half-way Kne, dropped a, beautiful g-pal, for which he, received well-merited applause,

Australia 23 New' Zealand „,■■ 12 , The Blacks again pressed, and Morris broke away. By kicking high he en» abled Ifwerson to follow up, and this player, gathering in the leather, raced for the line, scoring a beautiful try be-. hind the posts. Dufty concerted, Australia t .,. 23 New Zealand 17 Open, fast play was now the order, and during this Dufty had another un: successful kick at goal. Instead of fora ing, Horder set out for the opposing line, and, with his colleagues well placed, a great passing rush from one, -end. of the field to the other was completed by Burge scoring. Oxford's kick failed. This was the forerunner of many splen^ <fid combined rushes, in which the visit-. ing backs demonstrated their, ability Play, became exciting, and the All Blacks fought hard. Neal, IfweTson, and, Bradley on one. occasion took play to the Maroons' line, but were sent back. A free kick was awarded ihe home team, and Dufty made no mistake. Australia ■■■•• •• 26 New Zealand ,;....:..,. „ 19 Immediately afterwards a somewhat remarkable try was obtained by Watkins. Dufty fielded the ball from the kick-out, but his kick was smothered by Watkins, who had followed up quickly, and he, felj on the. leather over the line. Oxford; goaled. Another display by the visiting backs was without success, .as also was an, effort by Bradley and Scott, the latter being pushed into touch near the line, Hailoway, Cubitt, Horder, Gilbert, Robinson, and: Johnson were now working together in grand style, and., time and again, threw the ball about in an attractive niarujer. From a. spectacular point of view it was a real treat. The All Blacks seemed to lose determina* tion, while their combination was,almost entirely lost. Their mode of tackling' was likewise at fault. In quick suc^ cession passing bouta were complete^ by two tries to. Cubitt, who was giving a great display ; in fact, in some respects superior tq that, of Horder, who had not sq many chances. One try was convert* ed by Oxford, the other being taken without success by Horder. Working in unison the Maroon backs maintained q, distinct advantage, keeping the New Zealanders busy on the defensive. Occasionally the Bla.ck forwards, with Avery and Scbtfj usually in the van, in vaded Maroon territory, while Ifwerson was noticeable for some solus efforts, There, appeared to be a gap between the scrum and the three-quarter line, and, on tins account, the backs, could not get into proper action. One, notable incident in a Black attack' was the manner in which Morris, though light, tackled Watkins. The latter seemed to treat his opponont too lightly, and Morris prevailed, much to the enjoyment of the orpwd. Then, too, lies came in for a good deal of comment by a great run, in which he overtook Horder near the line. It was probably the fastest sprint of. the day. The concluding stages were all in favour of the visitors, chiefly on account' of their attractive display of combined passing rushes and side-st-epping. There wias, however, one exception—a New Zealand attaok, in which a fr«e kick was given and which Dufty converted from a difficult position. Towards the close Ryan scored for the visitors, and Burge converted. In the final few minutes Morris, Scott, and Neal were associated in an attack, the whistle sounding, with the scores :— Australia 44 New Zealand 21 . Mr. A. House controlled the game, the line-umpires being Messrs.. .C. Murphy and Evans.

■The teams leave to-night for Christchurch, where the second test will, be played on Saturday next. Some changes in the New Zealand team are probable.