ALL BLACKS’ WIN

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 5

ALL BLACKS’ WIN

Four Converted Tries to Nil

Lindsay’s Great Goal Kicking

Backs and Forwards Show

Improved Form

[Special to Press Association.]

KROOXSTAD, Juno 13 (Received June 14, at 10.30 a.m.)

The All Blacks, playing the best allvound football of their tour so lar> beat Orange Free State by four converted trios to 0 at Kroonstad to-day. Tho local side was supposed to be composed of country clubs, but it had been considerably strengthened. Tho team nas given an ovation on leaving the field. The game was played on a dirt ground, which had been furrowed ten days previously and watered before the match. The attendance numbered 5,000. It was a beautiful day, and there was not i breath of wind. The New Zealand team was:—

FULL-BACK. H. Lilburne (Canterbury, 11.2)

THREE-QUARTERS. B. Grensido (Hawke’s Bay, 13.6). D. A. Lindsay (Otago, 13.6). A. C. C. Robiiliard (Canterbury, 11.8). FIVE-EIGHTHS. W. A. Strang (South Canterbury 11.4). N. P. M'Grcgor (Canterbury, 16.6). HALF-BACK. W. C. Dailey (Canterbury, 10.10). FORWARDS. G. Scrimshaw (Canterbury, 13.6), rover. J. Horo (Otago, 12.12). H. J. Swain (Hawke’s Bay, 13.2). M. Brownlie, captain (Hawke’s Bay, 14.3). G. C. Alley (Canterbury, 15.7). R. G. M’Williams (Auckland, 14.5). I*. Ward (Taranaki, 14.10). W. Hazlett (Southland, 14.7).

FIRST SPELL

Within two minutes of the start the New Zealand forwards bustled their opponents. There was a line-out near tho latter’s line, and from loose play that followed Dailey dived over at the corner. Lindsay converted with a very fine kick. New Zealand 5 Orange Free State 0 Play then travelled up and clown the field twice, the New Zealanders having easily the best of things. At this stage the ball was heeled out from the scrum, and Dailey sent tho backs away, M'Gregor, Strang, Lindsay, and Grensido handling in turn. The last-named finally ran over, and Lindsay again converted. New Zealand 10 Orange Free State 0 At halfway Grensido again got possession, and sot sail for the line, with Lindsay and Strang on tho inside. They toolc the ball in turn, and Strang race 4 behind tho posts, Lindsay converting. New Zealand 15 Orange Free State 0 It was an easy matter for tho New Zealanders now. Tho forwards were dribbling well and tho backs opening out in pretty movements. When halftime came the All Blacks were still hot on the attack.

SECOND SPELL

Tlio homo team started the second spell with a treat effort to retrieve its position. The forwards played with more dash, and started to get possession from the scrums. The backs were given every chance, but mulled their passoH badl.v. New Zealand was defending for about ten minutes, the Free State forwards storming their line and rallying in fine style. When this burst had spent its force the New Zealand forwards carried all before them, and drove their opponents to their twentyfivo. A lint offensive was kept up, the banks throwing the ball about in telling style, but the defence was strong and their movements just failed to get home. Again the Free State, with a fine combined movement, carried play t«» the All Blacks line, but sound work by Strang and Dailey cleared, and with n brilliant forward movement led by Brownlie, M'Williams, Swain, and Aliev, New Zealand swept down the field. ; From a scrum in the Free State’s twentv-five Dailey sent Strang away. The live-eighth cut in and scored a line try under the posts, which Lindsay again had no trouble in converting. New Zealand 20 Orango Free State 0 Lilburne now changed places with Lindsay. The next passing movement «aw Grcnside thrown out at the corner. Play hovered in the Free State’s twenty-five for a time, the New Zealand backs puzzling their opponents by a series of quick thrusts. . The home side made one more praiseworthy but ineffective effort, and the game ended with the All Blacks still going strong. New Zealand ... 20 Orange Free State ... ... 0

FORWARDS OBTAIN POSSESSION

BACKS COMBINE WELL 2-3-2 FORMATION TO STAND The All Blacks gave easily their best lisplay during the tour. The forwards put more weight into the scrums and obtained possession. The scrum work

SCRUM TACTICS

was a big improvement on Saturday’s exhibition.

On the line-out" New Zealand dominated the play. The pack showed better combination and’understanding. Brownlie, M‘Williams, and Swain stood out, and Aliev was invaluable on llio line-outs.

The backs from the start combined well, Dailey feeding them generously. Although M'Grogor received a nasty injury to ins back early, lie was valuable in attacking movements.

Strang, who played first five-eighth when M'Grogor was hurt, showed excellent football, varying Ids play nicely.

The three-quarters were in good form, their pace being too much for their opponents.

Tho team is delighted with its reversal of form, but the players realised that the} - were mcotiifg weak opponents.

It is now certain that they will keep to The 2-3-2 formation in the scrum.

VIEWS OF EXPERTS WINGER SHOULD GO DOWN TO FREE BOTH HOOKERS’ FEET (SPECIAL TO TUB - SrAB.’J AUCKLAND, June 13. When scon last evening at Liayswater, Major James Cameron, who was manager of the New Zealand Army team in its King’s Cup series, had the following• to say about the all-absorb-ing topic of scrum formation: —‘‘ I can state definitely that it is a great tactical error for tbo 1928 All Blacks to abandon the 2-8-2 serum. The men associated with me upon the Army Rugby Union were always dubious about the New Zealand .serum, and insisted that eight men could push seven. “ Prove it,’’ was my rejoinder. On the contrary, tbo New Zealand seven were almost invariably masters ot the scrummages. “I did not-take the military service side out to South Africa, and il either one of the two New Zealand hookers was 1 allowed ’ to rake, as H. W. .11 ascii (champion hooker of tbo army team) maintains, it was probably the result ot an unauthorised concession by South African' referees. I subsequently did go to the Cape, and lived at Stellenbosch for four years after the war. In all the many Currie Cup and other games I saw, three men constituted the trout row, and the first man was debarred from touching tiro ball. The swinging hooker, supported by two hefty forwards, alone could rake, though the third mu'll (on the far side) was permitted to block the ball if it went past the hooker. The technical term in a 3-2-3 serum is ‘raker.’ 1. have always been interested in scrum tactics, and for that reason have made it my business tc\ seek the views of. others in the various countries in which J have seen the game played nowhere have 1 known the front row player on, the ‘ near b side. “ In the. course of various arguments with Mr Carl JilaiTotter, a. .very, .wellknown Western • Province .-.selector (a lawyer residing at Stellenbo'seb), .1 always maintained that, given the. conditions laid down by Hasell and. Mr Harry Harris—hookers '..who know their job, and scfuminagers who put in every ounce of their weight—the 2-3-2 serum will got at least 3U-50 of the ball from the set scrums. Surely no back division consisting of players up to international standard can, in such circumstances, cavil at their lot. “Interpretations may have differed since my return to New Zealand. For example, there is now a scrum penalty for lighting for the ‘ loose head,’ but I have yet to learn that South African referees will countenance actual hook-

NOTED HOOKER’S VIEW

THE TEAM SETTLING DOWN

ing bv the first man of either a. 2-3-2 or a 3-2-3 scrum; and if the rules have been further amended to permit the lifting of a foot before the ball is considered fairly in the scrummage, then all 1 can say is'that it is a retrograde stop; and further evidence, if more, indeed, bo necessary, of the fallacy of tampering with the rules under which many stirring contests were witnessed in the Army games at Home, and (so 1 am reliably informed) in the Union of South Africa. “It would indeed be interesting to learn whether the New Zealand Rugby Union settled before the teams selection any points on which differences of opinion regarding interpretation would bo liable to arise, and which might affect the choice of men for certain positions, such as scrum specialists. Very likely not. else how could the All Blacks have been chosen (as they were) as exponents of a game played under an all-important rule, known to be not a mere question of interpretation, but not applicable to South African Rugby at all.

“The New Zealand Army team was without honour iu its own country, tor neither the old nor tho new executive of the 1919 governing body in the dominion saw fit to cable congratulations to the victors in the historic King’s Cup tournament. The Mpther country put in a truly international fifteen; all but one of'its members played at some time or other for England, Scot'land, Wales, or Ireland. Neither the 1905 nor the .192) All Blacks met such a galaxy of stars. Apart from twice defeating so powerful a combination, the Now Zealanders were responsible for another unprecedented feat in winning three international matches in a space of five days.” “ R.M.0.” writes to to-night’s ‘ Star’; “It seems strange that the New Zealand Union was apparently unaware that the South African rules provided that the front-ranker of cadi scrum on the side the ball is put in must remain passive. However, after several experiments, our team has evidently decided that the 2—3—2 combination is best. To retain this arrangement, and vet give both our hookers a chance, I would suggest that our rover should go down alongside tho hooker on the side in which tho ball is put in.”

MISTAKE TO ALTER SCRUM The following is the opinion of E. W. (“Nuts”) Hascll, the ex-Canterbury and New Zealand representative torward (who was a member of the 1913 and 1920 All Black fifteens, but, more important still, the champion hooker of tho New Zealand Army team in its British and South African games in 1919), on the all absorbing topic of the Now Zealand Rugby formation in Africa: —“1 think it is a mistake to alter our scrum formation on the 1928 South African tour. It is a great pity that a hooker with experience of three inou in the Iront row was not sent with Iho All Blacks. The Arm v team always got a share of the ball, and had some real pushers in Alex. Bruce and Jack Kissiek. Tho New Zealanders cannot afford io have a man in the scrum not pushing, as the South Africans arc weighty. 4ho All Blacks would have difficulty with the new formation, and strange positions in a rearranged serum. The South African referees always allowed tho Army team io hook with the inside feet.”

LINDSAY'S “BOOT" USEFUL [By Dauk Blue.] The pes-imists who have been bemoaning the disappointing showing of the All Blacks in their four first games in South Africa were in,a more cheerful frame of mind this morning when Ihe news came through that the New' Zealanders had won their match against the Orange Free State (country) by the respectable total of 20 points to nil. Though it lias to bo conceded I hat the opposition was considerably below the strength which the team has met previously on tho tour, the game was played on’ a dirt ground, a surface with which flic Now Zealanders could have not yet thoroughly accustomed themselves. The cable also tells us that the team played its best game of tho tour so far, ami that, though the members of the team realised they were mooting weak opposition, they were delighted with the reversal of form. This" must he construed as indicating that in (ho previous games they were nob showing their true lorm. At any rate, all followers of tho game, here will devoutly hope that such is the ease. As the All Blacks settle down and become accustomed to tho strange conditions under which they arc playing, and gain better combination, there is'’every reason to suppose that they will show a marked improvement. In 1921 the British team touring Smith Africa, lost against the Orange Free State Country side by 1) to 6. and lost against the full strength of the Orange Free State by 3 to 6. Tho New Zealand Army team defeated the representative Free State side by 16 to 5. So the All Blacks of 1928 have done very well when these results are considered. In the Currio Cup competition last year the Orange Free Slate side came third, winning six matches and losing three. Four or live of the players of the team which the All Blacks beat yesterday generally find a place in the representative Free State aide.

Gefting the ball regularly for the first time, the New Zealand backs seem to have made a very fine showing. As an English writer said of tlio inatch ui which they were beaten by Transvaal last Saturday, the All Blacks woud have done much better had the backs got the hall, for he considered them to be superior to those of the opposition If our forwards go as well on Saturday in the return match with Transvaal as they did yesterday, there is good reason" to suppose that the handling and speed of our backs will amply avenge the loss of the game last Saturday. M'Gregor, whom 1 regard ns easily the best five-eighth witu the team, evidently played well yesterday, and seems to have been well partnered by Strang. It is to be hoped that M'Gregor’s injury is not a serious one. Though ho was hurt early iu the game lie was able to carry, on, and that makes one think be is not so very bad. Lindsay’s “ boot ’’ came in very useful for the team, for ho converted no fewer than four tries. The cable message says that just before the end of the game Lilburne changed places with Lindsay. The reason for the change is not given. We will have to wait before wo know whether ;t was considered safer to have Lindsay at full-back or whether it was thought Lilburne would improve the combination by taking Lindsay’s place at centre. " 1 think the former must have, been the ease, for we are told- that the backs combined well during till game. ■ Kroonstnd, -whore the All Blacks played■ yesterday, is at an elevation of just mi tier 4,506 ft above sea level, and it is very pleasing to read that, in the rarefiekl air that must obtain there and “on the hard,” the All Blacks finished the game “still' going strong.” The Kroonstnd district is chiefly peopled hy Boers, and hard Rugby is played there. It is also particularly pleasing to road that the New Zealand team was given an ovation on leaving the field. Evidently the FinInyson incident lias been soon forgotten. Generally, it will be found that the African crowds are sportsmanlike, and will appreciate good piny by the All Blacks as much as they appreciate the prowess of their own sides. That

RESULTS TO DATE

REMAINING MATCHES

was the experience of the New Zealand Army side. Most satisfactory of all from the New Zealand point of view is the news that the All Blacks put more weight into the scrums and secured possession of the ball. This is the first match in which they have managed to get the ball to play with, and the result, four tries by the backs, speaks for itself. With the weight the New Zealanders have at their command to put into the scrums, and _ with the improvement which must in the ordinary course of events come in the next few games, there is every reason to hope that in future wc will at least get our fair share of the ball. Again the Now Zealandei's used the national formation of 2--‘l-2 in the scrums, and, with IToro and Swain hooking, l and the other forwards using more weight than before, it seems to have been successful. While the writer still favours the .‘3-2-3 scrum, lie hopes that the All Blacks will not do any more experimenting, but stick to one formation, even if they meet with more defeats.

v. Western Province—Won, 1,1-3. v. Combined Cape Town Clubs—Lost. 3-7. v. Griqunland West—Won, 19-10. v. Transvaal —Lost, 0-6. v. Orange Free State—Won. 20-0.

June 16—v. Transvaal, at Johannesburg. June 20 —v. Western Transvaal, at Potchefstroom. June 23—v. Natal, at Maritzburg. June 30 —v. SOUTH AFRICA (First Test), at Durban. July 7—v. Northern Districts (Transvaal, Free State, etc.), at Kimberley. July 14—v. Rhodesian Fifteen, at Bulawayo July 21—v. SOUTH AFRICA (Second Test), at Johannesburg. July 25 —v. Victoria Districts, at Pretoria. • July 28—v. Orange Free State, at Bloemfontein. August I—v North-eastern Districts, at Burghersdorp August 4—v. Border, at Fast London. August B—v Border, at Kingwillinrastown. August 11—v. Eastern Province, at Port Elizabeth. August 18—v. SOUTH AFRICA (Third TestL at Port Elizabeth. August 23—v. South-western Districts, at Oudtshoorfi. August 25—v. Western Province, at Cape Town. September 1 —v. SOUTH AFRICA (Fourth Test), at Cape Town,