FIRST DEFEAT

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 6

FIRST DEFEAT

Springboks Fail Against N.S. Wales Paralysed by Open Tactics on Swamp Visitors’ Fine Sporting Spirit '(Written by Syd. Nicholls for the ‘ Evening Star.’) SYDNEY, June 22. The proud and mighty Springboks have fallen. Their colours were thoroughly -trampled in the mud and slush by New South Wales on Saturday to the tune of 17 to b —five glorious tries to one. ’lt was a magnificent victory. The New South Wales side turned on a performance under the appalling conditions tha prevailed that was _one of the best wet-weather exhibitions ev,er given by any side. ’ The superiority of the winners was clear-cut and decisive, and could not have been more-convincing._ Their backs played like champions the very game of their lives, handling faultlessly, running strongly, and timing their passes grandly. Their forwards, too, were in dashing form, holding their formidable rivals from the outset (although fully a stone per man lighter), and finally completely beating them.

The Sydney Cricket Ground (said the old-timers) had not been played on under worse conditions for many years, lir -Stuart, the curator, stated that it “ was the very devil.” Incessant ram for two days apd nights had made the playing area look like the seashore at Coogee; in fact, the: day was comparable to Wellington’s ‘ famous Springbok match in 1921. For three parts it poured down—a typical Sydney torrential shaker—and for the other part it just drizzled. Two earlier matches that had been played churned up the slifsb properly, and. it - was a distressing picture that confronted the players as they ran out to show their wares before 13.000 semi-chilled spectators, who were practically all under cover .ami huddled up—for the famous “ hill was deserted. . A RUGBY LESSOR The Springboks were given an artistic Rugby.lesson, and from the outset had a taste of something they had not sampled up ,to on this tour. After 15 minutes’ play the writing was on the wall—this was patent to everyone—and at the interval, -although the scoreboard read , only 11 to 6, the Springboks, who looked forlorn and dazed, must have realised that their number was up. South Africa was thoroughly disappointing. They failed in many departments where they were expected to “ have the goods.” They were well beaten forward, in set. scrums, in line-outs, in the loose rushes and rucks, and it was teen that they did not : dribble well. They failed also to go down on the ball, and were completely overplayed,' The 'quick-breaking Waratah forwards put the Springbok machinery right out of gear and called-the tune to good effect, but the surprising thing of all was that their condition lasted. - . The whole New South Wales pack played all the way with unconquerable spirit in the loose mauls, from which they were seen coming through time and again with the ball at their feet. Throughout they broke quickly and harried the opposing backs, spoiling their every effort. Stone outhooked Lotz, and the initiative for attack from the scrum was 60-40 for M'Shane and Co. Under this relentless pressure the Springboks wilted. Their backs made many mistakes, and their kicking had neither length nor the accuracy which has made the Springboks' famous amongst -other Their backs were crude and disappointing, their attack being limited and poor. They lacked constructional play', having no penetration, their handling was.uncertain, and their positional play in defence below par for * side of such international status. OPEN TACTICS SUCCEED New South Wales had been coached by Johnnie Wallace, the ex-Wallaby captain, and his fine-weather tactics (traditional Australian open play) were fully vindicated by the brilliant display his side gave. To give the ball the air and to persist in so doing seemed madness considering the extreme conditions of the day, but it worked out all right, and- of the five tries scored, all by superb back movements, four, were achieved by the wing men. Each of these was a truly remarkable piece of, work, the handling and timing being faultless. And Philip Nel, the Springbok captain, after the game, said: “ I would never have believed it was possible that any side could have played sach an open game and got away wirh it on such a field.” All the South Africans were generous in their congratulations to the winners. They admitted that they had been soundly thrashed, and that New South Wales deserved all the points scored. None of them would entertain the idea of any excuse whatever, or that with two of their players off the field through injuries the result must have been affected. It can also be mentioned that at the final whistle Nel and Craven chaired Cyril Towers and carried him off the field. Undoubtedly they are fine sportsmen and can take a licking.

wonderful pivot. Richards at flrsb five-eighth has also never played better. He was an ideal connecting link, varying his game nicely. Tom Pauling was another who was a tower or strength at centre, and both Jockey Kelaher and O’Brien on the wings were dashing and tricky in everything they did, completely outclassing the Springbok wingers. Eon Rankin at full-back played a game out of the box. He was always safe and sound, and definitely had the edge on Gerry (Brand. In fact, the whole New South Wales hackliuo were entitled to win selection for the forthcoming test match that takes place here next Saturday, for they all played up like real tradesmen, and none could, be faulted. , , , , , Their eight forwards must also be mentioned in despatches. Windon, a back-ranker, played the game of his life, and is a- far better player than he was in New Zealand last year. Ho has improved his game, and was a veritable source of annoyance to Craven and company. Aub. Hodgson and Bill Cerutti were in their element, and fairly revelled in the conditions. Malone and Hutchinson were first class. Then we must mention Kelly and Ramsay, who both gave of their best, and were tip top. Stone, too, was seen in practically everything, whilst his hooking was definitely superior to that of Lots. Lotz. How Stone failed to get his Aussie cap to-day is one of those selection puzzles that will ever remain unsolved to some. Possibly it is a matter of. State representtaion, such as we have often seen in New Zealand. BEST OF THE SPRINGBOKS The best of the Springboks was Danie Craven at scrum-half, who all through played a fighting, determined game, but even his game was not up to the standard of his 1931 exhibitions in Great Britain. He made several characteristic Craven bursts from tho scrum down the field, but each time he was badly supported, whilst his defensive work appears to have slipped slightly; but all the same, his game was on a high piano, and he will be one of the team’s mainstays. Fonni© Van dor Vyer had a bad day. It looked as if ho did not relish the conditions, as ho never seemed to be really happy, and appeared as if he did not want to sight the ball at all. He put no sting into his game. Koffie Hofmeyr and Johnnie Bester showed up their inexperience, and were no match for tho fast-thipk-ing and quick-witted Towers, and the solid and reliable Pauling. Their defence was foun:> wide open on several occasions and they were at times at cross purposes. Fred Turner was the best of the wings, but even he was not seen to be at home, although he did try to get “ stuck into it ” at times. Broodrijk was never in the picture, and hardly ever got a hand on the ball. It would bo unfair to judge his wet day capabilities on this performance. Gerry Brand, at fullback, was disappointing and off colour. Ho certainly had a man-sizo .job, but the conditions evidently were not palatable. He was called upon far too often to extricate his _ side from trouble. Most times he just scraped through, but it appeared to be an effort, not like the Brand of yore. Boy Louw was the best of the forwards. He played a hard Moke Beilis type of game all through. He and Bill Cerutti had many duels, and each time it was noticed that Boy would appear to got the better of the “Wild. Man.” His brother Fani© was the next best. Lotz, always a solid grafter, is a good dribbler, and stood his ground all through. The other big fellows were not seen to advantage, possibly their condition or the state of the ground let them down, hut all appeared to he well done heforo the game ended. In the last 10 minutes they seemed to be unable to raise an aggressive attack on the New South Wales citadel. TWO CASUALTIES HANDICAP Of course, one must remember that they suffered two casualties. Ben Du Toit, who was incapacitated by a spinal injury (and is now at St. Vincent’s Hospital) in tho first 20 minutes, and Johnnie Bester, who collapsed, falling prone in tho mud 15 minutes after the second spell had started. This meant that they had only six men in their pack, as Howard Watt (who was playing his first game) was taken and placed out on the wing, Turner going into centre.

The New South Wales backs all played great football. Their glorious and inspiring play will ever be remembered. Cyril Towers, the veteran, fave a splendid heady display, and ad too many guns for young Johnnie Hester and Koffio Hofmeyr. He had the nippiness of one' 10 years younger, and his fin© generalship must be acclaimed. His was the classy performance of the day. Jan M'Snane at half-back, who played a similar sort of game on a similar clay at Oxford against the All Blacks in 1935, when they nearly beat them (a great try by Sadler and a wonderful kick by Gilbert saving the game on the call of time) was also in great form, and a

Tho Springboks will have to shake down and get into condition. They were all at sea in this mud fight, and seemed to have no sting at all. The team that played to-day can bo improved by the inclusion of Owen Williams on the wing, Jimmy White at centre, and somehow a place will have to be found for Pierre do Villiers at scrum half. This would moan that Uauio Craven will have to go to fly-' half or centre. Ferdy Bergh and

Sherry Sheriff could strengthen the forward line. All things considered 1 do not think the Springboks can make necessary improvement during this week to bo able to defeat tho Aussios in the first test. It looks a good 6 to *4 on proposition for Australia.