SCOTT ACCLAIMED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22363, 23 June 1947, Page 4

SCOTT ACCLAIMED

KICKIN G_RECORD N.S.W. DEFENCE WEAK KEARNEY BRILLIANT (10 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 23. “No team would have beaten the All Blacks on Saturday. They were everywhere and we had no way of stopping them," said the New South Wales captain, Phil Hardcastle, after the match. The Sunday Sun carried Scott's photograph and a brief history on its front page and acclaims his feat of scoring 18 points as a goal kicking record for New South Wales. The previous international scoring record against New South Wales was by the South African A. J. van Heerden, who gained five tries in 1921. The previous best by a New Zealander was 14 points registered by A. McLean in the form of four conversions and two penalties at Wellington in 1923. “Apart from phenomenal goal kicking, Scott gained long distances with his’line kicking from either foot and made several slashing runs through the weak New South Wales defence when he joined in back line passing bursts,” says E. W. Kann in the Sunday Sun. Best Since Messenger “Scott's goal kicking had old-timers rating him as the best since Dally Messenger,” comments the former Australian international, S, C. King. “To that, he added excellent all-round play." “Australia has not seen a better fullback since the famous George Nopia,” says “Ginty" Lush in the Daily Telegraph. “Thornton and Arnold will rank among the greatest forwards to play on the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kearney’s handling should ensure him a job in next Saturday’s team. Some of Tetztaff’s passes to him were a five-eighth's horrors but Kearney snapped them all up. “The match was a triumph for the captain, Fred Allen, who has led the All Blacks to victory in every match in which he has played. Near the end, and despite heavy bandages, Allen was putting more action into his side-step-ping than at any time during the tour. “The hooker, Catley, beat Furness 18 to 10, and the All Blacks won the lineouts overwhelmingly.” Play Kept To Centre “Though the tourists had speedy and brilliant wingers in Argus and Mason, this pair rarely saw the ball,” S3ys E. W. Kann, “The All Blacks adhered to their plan to play to centre and the New South Wales team was helpless in combatting these tactics. As a result, it was amazing to see Trevor Allen kept on the wing. He should have been transferred to centre as he was the only New South Wales back whose soundness in defence and initiative in attack could have effected a change. “Because of weak tackling the All Blacks were allowed to stream through in midfield. The forward,- Thornton, was always in support. “Local spectators were inclined to resent the attention the vigorous breakaway, Arnold, paid to the little half, Burke. The New Zealanders like their football hard. Our men have been playing cissy football and they want to follow the example of the All Blacks if they are +o hold their own in international company. “Eastes, who had been New South Wales’ main scoring medium, handled the ball three times and was then well covered.” All the press commentators predict drastic changes in the Australian team for the second test which is not remarkable as the first test team included 13 New South Wales men.