SATURDAY’S TEST MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 7

SATURDAY’S TEST MATCH

ALL BLACKS CHOSEN NICHOLLS AS RESERVE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OAMARU, June 18. The following is the team that has been selected to represent New Zealand against the British Rugby team in the first test match at Dunedin on Saturday:— Full-back: Nepia. Three-quarters:—Hart, Lucas and Olliver. Five-eighths: Cooke and Lilburne. Hqlf-back: Mill. Wing-forward: Porter. Hookers: Cottrell and Irvine. Lock: Steere. Supports: Finlayson and McWilliams. Bach row: Hazlett and Batty. Reserves: Hore, Nicholls and Johnson. Owing to the effects of the recent injury to his knee, Stewart was not considered in the selection.

WEIGHTS OF PLAYERS Following are the players in order of weight: Finlayson 15.8, Hazlett 15.7, Steere 14.12, M’Williams 14.5, Irvine 12.12, Porter 13.3, Hore 13.2, Batty 13st., Cottrell 12.12. Backs: Nepia 13.5, Johnson 12.4, Lilburne 12st., Hart 11 10, Oliver 11.10, Nicholls 11.7, Lucas 115, Mill 11.4, Cooke 11.3. REFEREE AT TIMARU TIMARU, June 18. Mr. J. Oughton (Southland) will replace Mr. E. Kelly (Southland) as referee for the British game at Timaru. A PRACTICE MATCH. OAMARU, June 18. Before three thousand spectators the All Blacks to-day defeated North Otago reps, by 34 points to 6. The day was overcast, with a cold biting wind. The All Black team for the first spell was as follows: —

Full-back. —Nepia. Three-quarters.—Hart, Lucas and Cooke. Five-eights.—Olliver and Johnson.. Half.—Mill. Forwards. —Cottrell, Irvine, Steere, Finlayson, McWilliams, Batty, Hazlett and Hore.

Stewart was unable to play owing to his knee trouble persisting. The All Black forwards, from the commencement, made a determined attack, but it was then apparent that the opposite team had been underestimated, their defence proving surprisingly effective, and the final score was no real indication of the relative strength of the teams. Hart opened the scoring with a try behind the posts, which Nepia converted. —All Blacks 5, North Otago 0. Gaffaney, from a penalty, then placed North Otago on the score board, with a brilliant goal from a difficult angle near the side line. — North Otago 3; All Blacks 5.

The All Blacks then commenced rapid scoring. Cooke, after brilliant side-stepping, scored under the posts. Then a try was obtained by Ollivei\ which Nepia also converted, making the score All Blacks 15, North..Otago With a flash of brilliant passing, Hart then scored, but Nepia failed to convert. —AU Blacks 18; North Otago 3. From a penalty, Gaffaney then kicked his .second goal.—North Otago 6, All Blacks 18. This was followed quickly by Nepia converting a try by Mill, and the half-time score was: — All Blacks 23; North Otago 6. For' the second half, Cottrell, Johnson and Olliver were replaced by Nicholls, Lilburno and Hore.

North Otago, ’ playing with considerable dash, on the defensive, held the visitors until Hart, with a sensational dash, placed the ball behind the posts. Nepia converted. —All Blacks 28; North Otago 6. Hart followed up his success by scoring a further try, and with ten minutes to go the score stood: All Blacks 31; North Otago 6. Lucas, closely attended by Hazlett, made a dash for the line just on the ring of the final bell, and brought the side’s total to 34.

The match could not be termed in any way a good display of Rugby. The All Blacks, with the exception of a few brilliant flashes, appeared to lack polish, except Porter, who was in the thick of the struggle always, and at times the team was a one-man affair. Hart was the most spectacular in his play, and yet his brilliancy was spasmodic. The replacements in the second spell did not alter the strength of the team to any degree. If the All Blacks do not introduce more snappy passing they will have difficulty in outplaying the Englishmen. In many tight corners this afternoon, Nepia’s kicking stood his team in good stead. Hazlett and Finlayson played fine forward games. North Otago played a surprisingly good games against such an opposition. It would be difficult to select any of that team who played better than his fellows.