ALL BLACKS’ FIRST TEST

Evening Star, Issue 18811, 9 December 1924, Page 9

ALL BLACKS’ FIRST TEST

HELAND JUST BEATEN. MUDLARKIHG AT DUBLIN. A DESPERATE GAME. [From Our Special Commissioner.] LONDON, November 5, Weather conditions are,, as a rule, as fair for one as for the other, but it must bo placed on record that at Lanadowno Park the New Zealanders got all the worst of what was going. They played up to half-time against a wind and anything from drizzle to downpour. Then, during the interval, the ever-freshening breeze veered completely round, and for the last forty minutes the All Blades fought with their faces set against a driving deluge which swept slantwise athwart the field, and incidentally almost drowned out the occupants of the first two rows of the Press box. The spectators were vastly enthusiastic and overwhelmingly Irish, but so far as 1 could bear entirely fair in their judgments, and to my way of thinking seemed as a whole much more conversant with the points and rules of the game than most of the English crowds before whom the All Blacks have exhibited their prowess. They barracked for their own men in mighty chorus, cheering them frantically wheneveV they raided New Zealand territory, and encouraging them without stint whenever the fight seemed to be going .against them; hut they never forgot to give the “ devil his duo ” when Now Zealand individually or collectively put in smart work ; nor did they hesitate to call the referee’s attention loudly to somewhat* frequent off-sides indulged in by a certain member of the Irish team. The best team won. hut T candidly confess that the play of the All Blacks disappointed me. Under the conditions underfoot the forwards played extremely well. Out of the first seventeen scrums they carrier! thirteen in the tight and loose, but the backs one and all displayed verv in-and-out form, flashes of brilliance being succeeded by periods when they seemed entirely unable to give passes with any close approach to accuracy or direction, or to take them cleanly. _ Many opportunities were, lost by knocking on. many more by forward passes a.nd failures to hold passes. There was some excellent kicking for touch now and then, but failures to find that objective were all ton roanv, and very often a big kick only meant a, gain of a few yards. Making due allowances for Ihe conditions under which the game, was played, and the difficulties provided by the, greasy hall, the All Blacks’ hack division, Nepui excepted, failed to come up to my expectations. Perhaps one expected 100 much. In view l of the undoubted strength of the opposition, which, bo it remarked, exhibited staying powers quite unhoped for by their countrymen, who, though quite prepared to sec the wearers of the green giving the New Zealanders the time of their lives during the first half of the game, were undoubtedly equally sure that the last twenty minutes would see their men nil in, and more or less an easy game for their well-trained opponents, even the. most optimistic, of the Irishmen’s supporters seem to he agreed that the final twenty minutes would all too probably provide the New Zealanders with the winning points. But, just when their fears seemed about to he realised, when F. S. Hewitt (their fly half) had to leave the field, and G. V. Stevenson (theirright centre-three-quarter) was hopping about more or less on one leg—when, indeed, the homo team consisted of fourteen players and a cripple—the Irijhmcn came again in surprising fashion, and fought like tigers to the bitter end. It was true that the All Blacks had the whip hand, but thoir rivals never ceased to be dangerous. THE TEAMS. As finally chosen, the teams were; IRELAND. W. E. Crawford, full back (Laudsdowne and Malone); H. IV. .Stephenson, threequarters. right wing (United Service captain) ; G. V. Stephenson, right centre (Queen’s University) ; J. B. Gordincr, left centre (N.T.F.C.) ; T. Hewitt, left wing (Queen’s University) ; F. S. Hewitt, out (instonions) : J. 0. Cardowell, scrum halfback (Instonians); T. N. Brand (N.1.P.C.), J. D, Clinch (Dublin University), W. R. Golds (Wanderers), R. Colopy (Beehive Rangers), R. Y. Crichton (Dublin University), A. MacLelland (Queen’s University), J, M'Vicker (Belfast Collegians), A. Spain (University College, Dublin), forwards. NEW ZEALAND. Nopia, full back; Svenson, Lucas, and Hart, three-quarters; Cooke and Nicholls, five-eighths; Dailey, half-back; Parker, wing-forward; Irvine, M'Donald, Richardson, Masters, M. J. Brownlie, Cupples, and White, forwards. Referee, A. E. Fxecthy. The Irish team had to be picked on last year's form. It was all the selectors had to go upon, for Irish Rugby only commenced in October. Happily for Erin most of the men who played so brilliantly against Wales last March wore available, and they put into the field practically the same combination that heat Wales at Cardiff on March. 8. The forwards, though they had half a dozen very hefty players, were not a weight match for the All Black;?, but they wore a splendidly keen lot, who fully upheld the traditions attached to Irish packs. They were not particularly skilful in heeling, but they broke quickly, and, getting among the New Zealand backs, tackled in such fashion that they reduced the visiting three-quarters and five-eighths to an ordinary level as an attacking force. Behind the scrum the home team was well served, for, if the three-quarters were too stereotyped in attack, they were very sound in defence, and their kicking was on the whole better than that of the visitors, though that no doubt was due to the fact that they had the wind in their favor all through the piece. M'Dowall, tho scrum-half, was really good, but the full-back, Crawford, was Ireland’s tower of strength. THE FLAY. FIRST SPELL. The teams were five minutes late appearing. Then there was a further delay while the New Zealanders performed the : r war cry, which was warmly cheered by the. crowd. New- Zealand started towards the Lansdowne road entrance. Tho Now Zealanders were penalised for a serum infringement, and V. Stephenson got a fine touch in tho visitors’ twenty-five. Here play remained for some minutes, and Ireland seemed to be getting the best, of matters, until a brief bout of passing between the New Zealand hacks took play to midfield. A beautiful kick to touch by Crawford re-established play in the All Blades twenty-five, and Ireland looked to have a good chance of scoring, but G. Stephenson held on to the ball too long, and spoiled an undoubted opportunity. Again tho All Blacks forced play to the centre only to be driven back by Crawford. Another free kick to Ireland enabled the green jerseys to sot up a fierce attack, but a forward rush carried the All Blacks well down tiie field, and Hart, obtaining possession, was all but in when he was bundled into touch. Tho position hereabouts was distinctly dangerous for Ireland, but another free kick afforded welcome relief, liowitt kicking finely into touch, and from the lineont the Irishmen set up a most promising attack, which was only foiled w'ell inside the New Zealand twenty-fivo by splendid tackling. It was not long ere kicks by Parker and Daliqy, and a fine dribble by the

former, transferred play to the other em of the field, but an almost irresistible rus. by Ireland seemed likely to achieve mut. when Dailey stopped it, only to bo trippe up. The free kick to New Zealand availo nothing, for Nopia failed to find tone! and the Irish pack was once more in fu cry for the All Black territory, ivhe Gooko swept the ball off their toes. Th Irishmen had up to now, had the best c the argument, and another forward rus nearly brought grief to the oppositioi Nicholls gallantly checked tiro rush, bn was penalised for not playing the hal Crawford took the kick from some 15y<! outside the All Blacks’ twenty-five, am only just missed scoring a penalty goal. Ireland waa still doing most of the at tacking, and amid terrific cheering force; play right up to the New Zealand lino Here, from a scrum, Ireland got the hah and a passing movement full of pronrs only broke down a yard or two_ short r the lino. Hart effected a partial clear ance, but Crawford seized upon the ba and had a splendid opportunity of drop ping a goal, but happily for New Zcalam ho slipped, and his kick went almost a far astray as was possible. However Ireland contrived to worry the defence and it was only mistakes by the back that enabled the All Blacks to get bac to midfield. Only fine defensive work b; T. Hewitt, Gardiner, and G. Stophenso prevented them getting further, and pr< sently the Irish pack, rushed play to tbother end. Hero some desperately ban scrummaging led up to New Zealand get ting away, and as the result of sour clever passing between Hart and Luca plafy was taken right on to the Irisl line. The pressure of the Irish line wa great, but a splendid dribble by the hour, p/ick now took play to midfield, fror whence Irvine, with a really brilliant sol dribble, removed it to the vicinity of tin Irish line. Here Dailey got possession but was smothered ere ho could do any thing decisive. A free to New Zealam saw Nicholls muff the kick, and play wa. 1 again in midfield. Hero some very stern play ended in Nepir miskicking the ball, which was fielded b\ T, Hewitt, who, after a clever swerviu. run, was tackled in the All Black twenty five. So ended the first half with a (ino thrill, and the scores “love all.” SECOND SPELL. When play was resumed rain was coming down in bncketsfnl, and the wind was blowing strongly, at times almost full in the faces of the All Blacks. The spectators, however, stuck it manfully, and their ardor remained all undamped. It was for sure a good crowd to play to, whichever side yon wore on. The first fruits of the kick-off was some particularly vigorous scrummaging in midfield. A blunder by Crawford let New Zealand into the Irish territory,, but ere any mischief developed the homo forwards look charge of the game, and, by a series of short rushes, placed the All Blacks on the defensive, amidst loud cheeitt; but Nepia made a “really spiffin ■’ kick, which found touch jnside the homo twenty-five. This really fine effort of the New Zealand full-back’s was .nullified almost immediately by a fierce Irish rush, which overcame'.all "obstacles, until Nepia intervened, and, ns cool as a cucumber, seal the attackers scurrying back with a beautiful kick into touch, which won for him unstinted applause. Hereabouts F. Hewitt was injured, and caused the first real stoppage in the game. He was limping when ho resumed. The New Zealand backs got possession, and, finding themselves in a pocket in the Irish t wenly-five, Nicholls punted ahead. It was a good move, but Stevenson fielded cleverly, and found touch ot halfway. However, the All Blacks were, soon back again, and H. Stevenson, trying to clear, was tackled in possession, and Masters, dribbling on, picked up, and transferred to Svenson. who got over in the corner. Many people saw a forward pass, but the referee did not, and so New Zealand gained the first try. Nepia’s kick at goal was miles out. New Zealand d Ireland 0 Hardly had the game been resumed than Brand was jicnalisod for off-side, and New Zealand resumed the attack with a magnificent dribble right up to the. homesters’ line, where M‘Dowell was penalised for lying on the ball. The place was a “ sitter,’’ and White had no difficulty in steering the ball between the pests. New Zealand ... ... 6 Ireland 0 The All Blacks were, now taking charge of the game, and blunders by the Irish backs became frequent. One fine ruth by the. Now Zealand forwards was only chocked at the expense of F. F. Hewitt, who was injured in effecting a clever save, and had to retire. Nothing dismayed 1 lie Irish, who essayed another fierce attack, but Nicholls sent them to the right about with a fine kick, the effect of which should have been nullified by a free kick awarded to Ireland; but Crawford’s effort was charged down very cleverly, be it said, and it was only the desperate efforts by the Irish backs that prevented the All Blacks scoring. Presently, however, G. .Stephenson got away on the wing, and readied the New Zealand twenty-five before being pulled down; but Parker came away with the ball at his toes, and only a lucky flying kick by Crawford saved the situation. The New Zealand backs started a promising movement, but Lucas’s pass to Svenson almost on the line was dropped, and with it a golden opportunity. Almost at once the home team rushed the play to the other end, but once again •Stevenson spoiled a passing movement by hanging on to the ball too long. Stiff the home side was now going great guns, and play was here, there, and everywhere—now in the All Blacks’ urea, now in Ireland's, and so exciting that one was almost unaware of the pitiless downpour of rain. From the scrum the Irish backs got away, and only G. Stephenson’s apparently ineradicable tendency to held on too long brought a fine effort to nothing. Then Lucas hurst away for Now Zealand, and Parker, with a nice kick, found touch in Ireland’s twenty-five; but offside against the visitors gave Ireland salvation. It was .'ill very exciting, and the show their team was putting up worked the spectators up to a fine pitch of enthusiasm. Fighting like furies, the Irishmen spoiled by sheer desperate tackling half a dozen All Blacks’ efforts in tho last 'fjow minutes. Once Hart seemed bound to score, then Svenson was all but over, but the defence, though all in a tangle, hold out to tho end, to the great gratification of the spectators. Final score: Now Zealand Ireland 0 I do not think New Zealand deserved to win by any greater margin. For once in a way the forwards came out. of the ordeal with greater credit than the backs.