ALL BLACKS HAVE DECISIVE WIN OVER COUNTRY SIDE

Evening Star, Issue 26137, 26 June 1947, Page 8

ALL BLACKS HAVE DECISIVE WIN OVER COUNTRY SIDE

NEWCASTLE, June 25. The All Blacks to-day had a good trial run for the second test when they beat Northern Combined at the Newcastle Sports Ground by 43 points to 14. Although the All Blacks won easily, they had to work for their success, the home forwards playing a particularly active and vigorous game. The most satisfying feature from New Zealand’s’point of view was that Frazer and Grant came through the match without any apparent disability following their recent enforced snell through injury.’ Both are now expected to play in the test. Johnny Smith, on the other hand, finished the game with a slight limp after playing his best game since he has been in Australia. His fitness for the test will be determined after the team returns to Sydney. New Zealand scored eight tries, several by brilliantly spectacular movements. Webster proved himself almost another Scott. He converted six tries, kicked a penaly goal and dropped a fine field goal from near halfway. Peter Smith also had a field day, scoring four tries, partly by brilliantly elusive running himself aud partly through the excellent first five-eighth play of the cool and tricky Couch.

The Combined Northern composite team, drawn from Newcastle and New England districts, scored two tries, one of which was converted, and two penalty goals. Following more than a month without rain, the ground was as hard as a road. It was so concretelike that Webster found it practically impossible to dig holes for goal kicks, with the result that he had a player to hold and place the ball even for penalty kicks. Considering the conditions the All Blacks were lucky in that they did not have men hurt on the eve of the second test. About 5,G00 watched the play, this being a good midweek crowd for Newcastle, FIVE PENALTIES IN FIVE MINUTES. The All Blacks played against the wind and sun for the first half, and started somewhat uncertainly. They were not helped to settle down by five penalties in the first five minutes. These continued, although less frequently, throughout the game, and it was not always easy to see what they were for. The All Blacks scored 10 minutes from the start, but the home team almost immediately kicked a penalty goal. The All Blacks then added two more tries, a field goal and a penalty goal, and led at half-time by 22 to 6. Combined started the second half frith another penalty goal and scored a try between the posts, which was converted, not long afterwards. But the tourists added five more tries. Besides Peter Smith, the try-scorers were Graut, Thornton. Mason, and McLean. ORDEAL FOR SEVAN AND COUCH % . R. Worboys, the home captain, and B. Hamilton, who toured New Zealand last year with the Wallabies, showed no mercy to Bevan and Couch round scrums and rucks, breaking fast and tackling hard, but both New Zealanders came through the ordeal with credit, Couch especially so. He made a brilliant opening for one try and had a hand in most of the others. Johnny Smith also made one fine opening and looked dangerous wherever lie had possession. Peter Smith, showing great pace off the mark and handling beautifully, took quick advantage of every opportunity. Su.- e New Zealand back movements wen- brilliant in speed and trickiness, but handling mistakes spoilt many. Neither wing lmd many chances, but buiii scored tries, showing considerable speed. The New Zealand forwards, as in the first test and against New South Wales last Saturday, backed up in true New Zealand style in both attack and defence. Thornton and Arnold were again brilliant * in the loose, end Frazer played a solid game, especially considering this was his first since the test. Grant was prominent in both lineouts and the loose. Connolly confirmed the good impression made in the New South Wales match last Saturday. McCormick more than held his ownin the scrums, especially in the latter part of the g.ime. The forwards had no easy task, the home forwards throwing themselves into the play ■with plenty ; vigour from start to finish, and playing right up to the referee’s rulings.