OVERPOWERING INFLUENCE OF MIGHTY PACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 58, 6 September 1937, Page 15

OVERPOWERING INFLUENCE OF MIGHTY PACK

NEW ZEALAND'S RUGBY GRIP ■',/•/ > f -WEAKENS GRAND FUtL-BACK DISPLAY BY BRAND '■ (By 'The/Post's"-Special Representative.) ■•■..• . .: l,; A .'striking reversal of Ilugby Test form places South Africa and-New Zealiandyall square again in their series of international contests, and servfe^io intensify the already phenomenal interest in the present, series-/6f Tests through the issue now being left to ; be settled at Auckland /bn September 25. This situation arises from what oc* curred whe^i forces were matched in the second Test at Lancaster ■■ Park, Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. Where New Zealand's men playt^J the game of their lives at Athletic Park in the first Test, thia Springboks on Saturday played with such, determination " and parpose that the tables were completely turned. Again on the scale^bfpoints, goal-kicking was the determining factor, but a 13-6 > victory was fully deserved by the Springboks for the superiority wbuch marked their play generally. They were distinctly the better side on the day. Conditions, making for play on a heavy ground, were regarded as favouring New Zealand, and • when, after a thrilling first ~ spell, were six points up, as in.the first Test, the All Blacks appeared to have the game well in hand. But the Springboks seemingly had been working to a plan riot yet fully disclosed. The effect of pressure by a mightier "pack than in the first Test became' ■ apparent as the second spell progressed, and, with the ball kept . away as much as possible from the feet of the opposing forwards the Springboks reaped the benefit of the strenuous work in the first spell. Slowly and surely the wearing-down process succeeded. The play of the All Blacks lost much of its sting, and in contrast to first Test form, the inability to finish spiritedly was disappointing. Against that the achievement of the Springboks in gaining the upper hand won the admiration of the huge gallery of onlookers.

The greater sense of. security given by Brand's presence in the side, a fact which has been mentioned previously in dealing with performances* on the Springboks' tour, was veey evident in this Test. Brand means much to the side. : ' ■. It is not only his kicking, which, as demonstrated once again is a match-1 winning factor, but his/presence Seems to improve the whole, scheme' of things. Backing up is carried -out more definitely, almost, automatically, when he is there; the. forwA-ds are/better for knowing that Brand is there to take the ball when it,"sails far over their heads. His pre/jence removes cares which affect /general play,, and the Springboks .'ace all-the better for it. Brand on Saturday was magnificent. There were /some, stars which shone rather more brifehtly than others .in this- Test,- -tout none so brilliant as ' Brand, wfrcse performance was superb. : The. Wellington, Test was worth going a long way to see. This one in Christchurch ■pn Saturday was not so enthraU^ng: as a match, but,'if for -nothing else, it was well worth seeing for Brand's performance alone! The great G, P. Morkel of 1921 Springbok fame .was no better than Brand; in fact, -Brand's display on "Saturday -would take rank with the best ever produced, i This full-back simply cannot be bust-' led, and almost unerringly on Saturr day, whether danger was. imminent or, not, :he made''his.: relievirig"kicks lon'g^ lange touch-finders. Heart-breaking it .must have .been1 to .the/All;.-Blacks,-.in following liip time and. again ~to find Brand, never fettering.'' Then, too;: this great player's place-kicking boot was sur.e^ it never missed the irhark, \the extras frcan two tries and a penalty goal Representing South Africa's winninf m^gin, of seven points. t .- -10-9! Ie resjiect Brand was not at His pest. /That was in drop-kicking, which in -f/aintrOtl accuracy ,as. .a .scoring meSum ias "not; come up to expectations 'on the ;tourv But- on Saturday IJrand was no* alone in missing out in /that direction. New Zealand pinned some faith in Trevathan's'boot, which Had produced ten •■ of the side's thirteen points in the first Test. Trevathan had two glorious opportunities in' quick Euccessijn when the first spell was well advanced, and he 'missed'- with both drop-kicks at goal—not by much.(a matter of feet),: but from .positions which should ftave been easy' for an expert. Two field goals, or even one, •at that stage might have made.a tre-, rnendous difference to the: game. Still, Trevathan gave much service in other kicking—mainly to. .touch: The;- pity is, however, that so much reliance is inclined to be placed - upon, a man's boot especially when the man is placed as one ..of the important; links in the chain of backs. ..' V .*- ..; :

brought down by Williams and to beat Brand, the Taranaki flyer sped after the leather. . . . ■ Sullivan was hotly pursued by Williams in what proved to be one of the most sensational races seen in a football match. Williams at times almost rubbed shoulders with Sullivan, but the New Zcalander always held a slight advantage.. His real testing time came when he caught up with the ball. Wisely, he did hot elect to pick it'up, as, had he done so, Williams would undoubtedly have pounced upon him. He kicked on in his stride, and, maintaining the advantage, was at the line in 1 time to be first on the ball for- a try which, naturally, had the crowd thrilled. It was one-of the most spectacular and thrilling things, ever seen Tn a.Test. Though the try was not converted, it gave the- All Blacks the appearance of sitting pretty.- '■-•..-,..: ~ •'•■:,,-,