THE SECOND GAME

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 77, 27 September 1924, Page 8

THE SECOND GAME

(By L. Simpson.)

JTEAM PLAY MUCH IMPROVED.

CAMBORNE, 19th September. .. • -As the time approached for the second match of the All Black tour, it was .seen, that the interest in the match was going to be keen, as crowds came to Camborne in all manner of vehicles. The day -was beautifully fine, and the ground in first-class condition, and the attendance, 12,000, a record for tho ground. There was no comparison between the game played yesterday and the game against Devon, the tactics and general play, of' the All Blacks were much imiproved—there was more dash and confidence. Several tries were missed by i inches. The game was clean and hard and at times the excitement was great. ■The off-side play of the home side was again in evidence, and a great deal'passed unchecked. Although the All Blacks have shown improvement there is a lot to ,be done before the more important ■matches are played. The backs stand too close to the forwards; often they have to turn round and chase a long tick by the opposition; whereas if they stood a little deeper this would be avoided. The passing at times is wild and erratic,

and some awful passes were given. Mill,

at half, was the chief offender. He was f not by any means up to international form, as rarely did he get his passes ■ away cleanly. They were either too low or too high, and lacked direction. 'Although lie scored, it was an opportunist try, as Brownlie and White.had carried the play over the goal line and either could have scored. '■ '..■ l?raise is due'to M'Gregor for the ..'excellent game he played. He was at his best: his swerving, taking, and _ giving - passes was real Rugby, and he "is-to, be congratulated on ..his performance. RobUliard played well. He had ;. few opportunities, as he was practically ■ 'starved by Cooke, but more should be heard of him. Cnoke was not at his best ; "at times he .was too selfish, and seemed ' to forget there were other backs in the ; team than himself. He also adopted the ■ fatal long high punt, the ball being" re- ■' turned by the opposition to touch, the .'All Blacks thus losing ground.Svenson,- Hkfi Robilliard, was starved, bu£ whatever came his way he made the most of. His defence was sound. Once, and about the only time the All Blacks had to defend, he intercepted a pass and „ set sail, with Parker in attendance. At ; the right time- he passed, and Parker

'■ian forty yards to score a fine try. ' G. Nepia, who was cheered by the ', crowd for his brilliant play, was per- ,! haps the best player on the ground. . taking the- ball beautifully while at top .'speed. At times he ; started passing .'rushes, from which scores would eventu- . ate, and his line-kicking was much bet- ; ter than against Devon. ■■ FORWARDS REVEL IN THEIR :: .-.,-*..- woRKr

The forwards revelled in their work, . although they were not up against the I opposition as in the first match. The scrums were better packed, and they ■ gained possession of the ball more often

from the scrums. There were fifty-eight scrums; of these they gained possession forty times. There were thirteen freekicks, five to the All Blacks and eight " agaiust.* "Parker was the'chief scorer. He played a nice game, showing a great turu-of speed—the three tries lie scored ■were of the.best. White'was conspicu- :' ous throughout, and had bad luck in . jiot scoringl at least twice. The hefty • forwards, Richardson and Brownlie, .'■ again proved their value. Harvey was al- ; ways on the ball, and this being his first ; game he proved himself well. Irvine was a battler all the way. His try was a > splendid effort, , and his scrum work was very effective. All the forwards " -were fast in the loose, and the rushes ■ were a treat to see. Other legitimate tries were scored, one each to Brownlie, Parker, and Mill, but .; unfortunately these were not allowed by - the referee, otherwise the score would ~ have been much larger. Mr. F. W. 1 Jeffery .(Devon) was the referee. Z All Blacks won 29-0.