THE ALL BLACKS

Evening Star, Issue 23015, 21 July 1938, Page 13

THE ALL BLACKS

WESTERN DISTRICTS ROUTED FORWARDS IN GOOD FORM EXCELLENT WET WEATHER PRACTICE HOOPER'S DAZZLING RUNS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyngbi WELLINGTON (New South Wales), July 20. Under muddy conditions the All Blacks defeated New. South Wales Western Districts by 31 points to 0 after leading 19 to 0 at halftime. .. The game coincided with the breaking of dry weather. Rain felt continuously, and it was almost impossible to distinguish the players. The inexperienced Western forwards were plucky but unable to cope with the hard rucking New Zealanders, who, once into their stride, scored regularly. New Zealand endeavoured to open play at the beginning, but the ball was too slippery, and eventually it was a hard forward game.

Hooner made a fine impression with some dazzling runs on the treacherous field. Wesney and Griffiths were solid and Taylor fielded magnificently. Bowman played a magnificent forward game, and if the conditions are wet for the first Australian test he will be hard to omit. Jackson also was good in his first game. The New Zealand forwards won the ball from the scrums and rucks. They obtained excellent wet weather practice, as there is the possibility of rain for the first- test. The scorers were Wright (3), M'Kenzie (2), Laraboume, Wynyard, and Dalton, while Wesney converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. The first try resulted from a brilliant run by Hooper, who sent Lambourne over. Wright’s tries were the result of hard running for . the corner, while the remainder of New Zealand's scores were' the culmination of dribbling rushes.

RECOVERING FROM INFLUENZA. Mitchell, who is suffering from in-, fluenza. has almost recovered, but may be unable to play in the first test. Dalton has a slight shoulder injury. , . New Zealand has selected the following 19 plavers for the first test:— Taylor, Phillips, Morrison, Wesney, Mitchell, Sullivan. Griffiths, Berghan, Saxton, Dalton, George, Quaid, Jackson, M'Kenzie, King. Bowpian. Williams, Milliken. Parkhill. If Mitchell is unable to : play probably Wesney will take his place. Bowman may replace Williams. Otherwise the test team is likely to bo the same as against New South Wales last Saturday. MITCHELL LIKELY TO PLAY IN TEST ONE CHANGE IN AUSTRALIAN TEAM SYDNEY, July 21. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) The All Blacks return to Sydney from Wellington to-day to prepare for the first test on Saturday. , Mitchell is suffering from mild influenza, but is likely to' be fit by the week-end. ' The Australian selectors have omitted Malone, an experienced test forward, from the Australian Fifteen owing to an injured foot. Wilson, the captain, will move from the second row to Malone’s place in the front row. R. Kelly (New South Wales) has been chosen for the second row vacancy; The managers of the All Blacks, from a list of five referees submitted to them, have chosen, Mr Chapman, who controlled last Saturday’s game, to referee the test.