RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 June 1921, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SPRINGBOKS AVIN AGAIN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association./ r ... SYDNEY, June 27. The weather was ideal for the second contest between the Springboks and New South Wales. The attendance was fifteeii thousand. McKay and Raymond replaced Fox and Lane in the New, South Wales side. The Springboks team was: De Villiers, Van Ileerden, Harry Morkel, Clarkson, Meyer, P. Michan, De Kock, Kruger, Van Rooyen, J. Michau, Plesses, Wacker, Scholtz, Pienaar and Olivier. The Blues delved into aggressive movements with considerably more confidence than previously. The Springboks, with half their team changed, encountered stiff opposition and tackling, which effectively blocked the initiative of the visitors. New South AVales drew first blood, De Villiers misjudging the flight of the ball, and Holdsworth, following up fast, scored a try, which was not converted. The Springboks retrieved the position, as a result of Morkel Bustling past several tacklers and scoring. De Villiers converted the try. Prior to the interval a. rush was started from a line-out in the Springboks’ territory. Carr sprinted across and scored. Nothling converted, making the half-time scores, New South AVales 8, Springboks 5. The Greens, with their backs to the wall, were unable to open up the play for a period, but ultimately they dominated the game, till Morkel equalised with an unconverted try.

The game then resolved itself into a stalemate for a time, till Van Heerden bustled Carr, who transferred to Nothling. The latter failed to throw out of touch, and Meyer, swooping down, got the ball inches from the line. No goal resulted. Springboks 11, New South Wales 8. Before Hie Blues bad recoverd from this reverse, three of the visitors broke away, with only Nothling to beat-. Meyer crossed and scored, De Villiers adding the 'xtra points. A fine dodging run by Alingay, supplemented by a strong sprint bv Raymond, turned the tables, and Davis, picking up near the line, got a try, which was not converted. The final scores were: Springboks 16, New South Wales 11. ’VARSITY The Nev,’ Zealand University Rugby team returned from Sydney with a record of four games won, one drawn, and one lost. It, was ascertained that- the tour proved a success in every way, and the kindness of their hosts was commented unon by some of the reps. lhe Australians played a fast game, but the New Zealanders, as the results showed, hao not much to learn from their opponents, and, indeed, were better all round. The .Australians played good Rugby, and the various teams were strong. Rugby undoubtedly lacked the support being given to the League code. It was, however, by no means dead, and with a little more encouragement, Rugby could maintain its position, which, even without that support, was faitly solid. The visiting team was unfortunate in losing their best back, lea (Otago), after the first test. That player tore some ligaments at his shoulder and consequently was not allowed to take part in any further games. Siddells, the full-back, did good work, while Aitken, re-three-quarter, though somewhat (iff his game at first, played splendidly in the List match, scoring no less than thtce tries. Among the forwards Hanson, of Wellington, and Harty, formerly of Auckland and now of Otago, were the pick. s) * It is expected that Australia will send over a team at the end of this year as a return visit to the All Black tour of last year.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES. i N.S.W. v. N.Z. AND QUEENSLAND. /Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) SYDNEY, June 27. About 25,000 witnessed the League football match New South Wales versus the combined Queensland and New Zealand team on the Cricket Ground. New South Wales forced the game, and a few minutes after the commencement Craig scored an unconverted try. Shortly afterwards Brown was injured and was replaced by Gorman. The home team continued forceful tactics, Vest and Peters scoring in quick succession, and Burge converting. Gray was injured and was replaced by L. Burge. With New South Wales leading by 13 to nil the combined team began to show more dash and a passing rush by Davidson, Laing and Avery, ended in the latter scoring, and Davidson converting. The scores now mounted quickly, Vest and Thompson (N.S.W.) getting tries, which Burge converted, and Davidson scoring a try and converting it, besides kicking two penalty goals making the half time figures New South Wales 23, Combined team, 14. In the second spell the combined team forced the game, keeping the ball in the home 25, but the pressure was relieved by Horder, who, after a great run, crossed the line, no goal resulted. The Combined team continued to force the pace. Flanagan and Broadfoot scored 'tries, Davidson converting one and also kicking a penalty goal. Although they played a hard, fast game, the Combined team failed to increase the score, while Craig and Horder secured tries for the home team, Horder converting both thus making the final scores. New South Wales 36, Combined team 25.