THE BRIGHTER SIDE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 13, 18 July 1928, Page 12

THE BRIGHTER SIDE

ALL BLACKS IN FORM WIN OVER GRIQUALAND SPARKLING BOUTS (From "The Post's" Special Correspondent.) . JOHANNESBURG, 9th June. Any illusions that may havo existed over tho strength of South African Rugby will have been dispelled by the results of tho first four matches played in tho Union, and so far as the tourists have scarcely justified tho laudatory notices with which-.their selection was greeted in the Dominion. With only four matches played to date it may not be wise to express any definite opinion of the tourists' merit, but one judges an • All Blacks' team by the standard set up by the New Zealand and South African touring teams; and that standard is the highest known in the Rugby game. Tho defeat at Capetown was largely, attributed to tho fact that the visitors were not in the physical condition to play a hard, fast game against one of the strongest centres in the country, and tho main weakness of the side was the inability to secure the ball in the scrums. None realised this weakness more clearly than Maurice Brownlie and.hi- colleagues on the Selection Committee, with the result that when the tou;ists arrived on the high veldt and played their third match (against Griqualand West) the forwards embarked on experiments of formation. During the last tour of Great Britain the All Blacks, on more than one occasion were beaten in tho tight scrums, but the all-round superiority of the touring side enabled it to win through without a dofeat. With every indication that the South Africans are even stronger serummagers than any team encountered in 1924-25 and likely further to dominate the play if allowed to sustain such an advantage M. Brownlie decided on the courageous policy of entirely discarding the New Zealand formation and adopting a style which would enable him to place three men in the front row. ■'' \ . ' PLAY AT KIMBERLEY. At Kimberley, therefore, the AH Blacks packed three-four, a formation which has at various times been tried with considerable success by French international sides, and, as "the tourists secured a very share fair of the ball, the experiment was hailed with considerable satisfaction. The All Blacks played a rouring game and with their backs getting a fair share of the ball they proceeded to show their ability. Kilby played a clever game at the base of the Bcrum,. and his fine all-round form was more. convincing than that of Dalley in the earlier matches, while Lindsay at full-back gave a.fine display of touch-kicking which was very useful: to his forwards. The play of Sheen and Strang went further to show that tho All Blacks have no lack of capable reserves in the inside back positions, and, though Johnson was not handling quite as well as he did against the Town side, he was excellent on tho attack. Experimenting was not confined to the forwards, as Carleton, who was on the programme as a rover, actually i played as an extra three-quarter, with the result that, as the Griquas also had five three-quarters, both teams were playing the eight-back game. BRILLIANT BOUTS. Whoro"tho tourists pleased was with some of the most brilliant passing bouts ever seen on a South ■ African ground. The first try was a movement opened up from the 4.11 Blacks 1' twenty-five in which Lucas* Who was playing on tho wing, ran up with fine speed, and, when checked by the defence, cross-kicked for M'Wiiliams (who had followed up in centre field; to gather the ball and score. It was a perfect exploitation of the cross-kick. The next score was the result of a splendid passing bout in which both backs' and forwards participated. Sheen, Lucas, M'Wiiliams, Pinlayson, and Johnson handled in a spectacular movement which brought the whole of the spectators to their feet. The ball came out to the right wing, and then went back to the centre, on one occasion being lobbed over, a couple of defenders. Clever breaks by Carleton and Johnson, and more neat handling by several players ' were responsible for further tries by Rqbjlliard and Lucas. Finally Finlayson, who had been playing a great game in the loose, secured at the defenders' twenty-five, and, dodging through and fending off several opponents, ho, scored a really fine try. The All Blacks, with fivo tries (two converted) . had much the better of the play, .particularly as the Griquas wero out to. play, a spoiling game. The homo'team's .tally of ten points was mado up by a penalty;goal and a neat dropped goal (both _by Holton, a clever fly-half whoso kicking gave tho tourists a lot of trouble) and a try (by Bock, left-wing) scored as the result of a break'by,M'parthy. (centre). FINDING THEIR FORmI The tourists were always the better side, and the manner in-which the-for-wards initiated movements in the open throughout the match and held their own in the tight scrums, despite the absence of several of their best men, gave the whole side confidence that

thoy wero finding their best form. A forward who was making his first appearance in this match, and who created a most favourable impression with his solid and experienced play, was E. M' Williams, of Auckland. He seems sure to gain a place in tho tourists' best pack. The South African Press representa-, tives wero most favourably impressed with the team, and the many sparkling passing bouts in which half the team handled were singled out for the highest, praise. The whole of the side also lasted out every minute of the game and gave evidence that the players were getting into the best of condition. Indeed, such a keen team has never previously visited South Africa. Every day when the side is not travelling the whole of the players have to report themselves for training, and no excuses are accepted. On a morning of a match those players who are.not in the team have to turn out as usual tuid, put in their hour on tho football ground, while frequent conferences are held for the purpose of team talks on tactics and schemes of play. If tho All Blacks do not carry off the honours of the tour it will, not be tho fault of tho players who, first and foremost, and all the time, have in mind the success of the team.