ALL BLACKS

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS

IN BAD FORM. Against S.W. Districts. (Special to Press Association.) OUDTSHOORN. August 22. 71 poor exhibition of Rugby was given by the All Blacks, when they beat the South Western Districts by two tries anti two penalties, twelve points, to one try, on e penalty, six point*. There was an attendance of three thousand. It was a beautiful day, but the ground consisted of parched grass. The South Westerns started off with a rush and carried play to the New Zealand line, where by great defensive work, Carleton saved a likely try. The first time the All Blacks’ backs opened out, Rushbrook beat his man. and put in a fine run down the side, untib tackled by the full back. Then the All Black forwards asserted themselves and made tilings warm for their op ponents, with repeated efforts to get across the line. New Zealand was, heeling the ball frequently from the

scrums, at this stage, backs and forwards combining in tolling movements. 1 From a penalty to New Zealand, Lind say goaled.—N.Z. 3; S.W.D. 0. The New Zealand backs continued to get most of the ball but th e West erns moved quickly and smashed the. attack. Through a clever opening by McGregor, the New Zealanders went away with a pretty movement which ended on the goal line, with an obstruction by a local man, for which a penalty was given. Nicholls kicked a goal.—N.Z.6; S.W.D. 0. There were only fragments of good football then on till half time.

The All Blacks played eight backs In the second spell. Scrimshaw going out to the wing and Lucas playing extra centre. Nicholls started off by making a fine opening from which Stewart scored, after seven Now Zea landers had handled the ball. Strang’s kick missed.—N.Z. 9; 5.W.D..0.

An attack by th e Western forwards and a counter drive by the New Zea-i landers followed, then came some fine work by Albertyn, which ended in Myburgh being pushed out near th e 25. A penalty for lifting in the scrum was awarded to the Westerns and Smith kicked a good goal.—S.W.D. 3; N.Z. 9. The local side began beating the All Blacks for the ball from the scrums, and a great rally by their forward* carried to the /Ml Blacks’ line where they were forced twice in succession. The New Zealanders then got to work, and throw th e ball about in a carefree movement, which saw Lucas tackled within a yard of the line. A

spell of distraetingly poor football followed, but McGregor produced a gem when he cut in, dummied., and sidestepped through. Only sound tackling saved a score on this occasion.

Strang next sent the backs away. The ball went to McGregor, NicholL and Lucas, the latter missing the pass but Scrimshaw picked up, and more passing by Nicholls, Strang and Me Gregor sent the latter ’over for a fine try. Lindsay missed the kick. N.Z. 12; S.W.D. 3.

Within a minute of the final whistle, Badenhorst scored for the Westerns in a corner from a loose rush.—N.Z. 12: S.W.D. 6.

Taken all through, the game was sluggish, and probably the worst display the New Zealanders have given on the trip. McGregor and Harvey, who had been out for so long, put up good performances. Nicholls. Strang, Carleton and Lucas, played reasonably well. Rushbrook and Scrimshaw made occasional good breaks. Lindsay had a shoulder hurt in the first spell and this plainly affected his play. Ward, Hadley, McWilliams and Sncw were good in patches. There was no spark in the New Zealand play. At the same time thp. Westerns’ fight must not he disparaged, considering they are regarded as the weakest team in the 'Union.