Auckland Forwards Likely To be Real Threat To Otago in Shield Match

Evening Star, Issue 26182, 18 August 1947, Page 8

Auckland Forwards Likely To be Real Threat To Otago in Shield Match

(Special.) INVERCARGILL, August 17. Considered in the light of the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago on Wednesday, Auckland’s showing against Southland on Saturday was not impressive, r and those who saw the match formed the impression that Otago has a great chance of retaining the trophy at Carisbrook. Auckland beat Southland by 10 points (a field goal and two goals from penalties) to 3 (a penalty goal), but as a shield trial the game must • have been disappointing to the nbrtherners.

The territorial advantage for the game rested with ' Southland, who would have won with an accurate goalkicker. t Auckland fielded a near-international back line, which was opposed with -one exception by young, inexperienced players; but there was little thrust about the northerner’s movements, and that little edge of finesse which was expected front players of their standing was lacking. t A Heavy n ack. The Auckland pack averaged a stone a man heavier than Southland, but it was unsuccessful in establishing a superiority in any department of play. The Auckland packmen proved themselves much superior to the North Auckland forwards, however, and the Maroons had to work hard for the upper hand. If comparisons between one game and another are of any value, the Auckland forwards were 100 per cent, better than the North Auckland packmen,'but their backs appeared to be much inferior to Johnny Smith and company. In the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s game Auckland held the territorial advantage, but only on few occasions did their backs look like breaking Southland’s defen . Backs Unsettled. F.'R. Allen, Auckland second fiveeighth, was expected to be the pivot of the line in combined attack, but he was unable to elude A Gray, lightweight Southland back. Allen did not provide the class of football expected of a player of his ability. There seemed to be a lack rf thrust about his work, and he did.not run strongly enough to give his three-quarters an extra yard. The Auckland first five-eighth, D. J. Ewert, was responsible for a more tradesmanlike performance. He moved into his passes smoothly and threw on well-timed passes.

E. G. Boggs, former Kiwi and All Black wing three-quarter, was far from happy in the centre position, and it may be found that R. L. Dobson will replace him for the Otago match. There were many breakdowns in passing when the ball got as far as Boggs, and several efforts by the full-back, C. A. Kingstor.e, to make an extra link in the chain tended to create more confusion in the plan of attack.

J. M. Dunn had opportunities early in the game to show his pace and strength, and it was a solid hip bump that put A. Chandler, ' Southland’s right wing, out of action soon after the start of the game. Later, however, the heavy-weight Auckland winger was starved of a supply of the ball and was forced to make much of his own play. A. G. Sutherland replaced Chandler and moved to the left wing opposite R. Sherratt, one of the Kiwi stars. Honours for the day rested with Sutherland. The general standard of his work was superior to that of the long-striding North Islander. The forwards’ exchanges were vigorous and at times heated, and the rucks were terrific battles for possession, with the lighter Southland men holding a clear advantage. The Maroons surprised their supporters by winning the line-outs by a good margin. They were dwarfed by the Aucklanders, who were often penalised, presumably for charging, although they were obviously puzzled by some rulings. Forwards Will Test Otago. The best forwards in a pack which will thoroughly test Otago' were P. ,T. Crowley (side-ranker), M. J. McHugh (lock), and J. G. Simpson (front row). Crowley and the former Soutlilander, A. J. West, were quick to break from the scrums and harry the Southland inside backs. G. S. R. McDonald was a valuable line-out forward, and A. R. Storey was also useful in that department. For Auckland two penalty goals .were kicked by C. A. Kingstone and a dropped goal was kicked by F. R. Allen. G. F. Smith kicked a penalty goal for Southland. R. W. H. Scott and P. L. Tetzlaff will probably make a great difference to' the Auckland team for Wednesday, but the northerners will have to improve considerably on their Saturday’s showing to take the honours against Otago.