AUSTRALIANS WIN

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1946, Page 3

AUSTRALIANS WIN

SECOND GAME Combined Team Narrowly Beaten VISITORS’ FORM GOOD. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 25. Sparkling football was played at Rugby Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday, when the Australian Rugby touring team beat a combined Taranaki and King Country team by nine points to eight. The ground, in spite of heavy overnight rain, was in splendid condition, and the teams, playing at a fast pace, from start to finish, threw the ball about brightly. Australia had the better of the game territorially. In the second spell the combined team was a trifle unlucky not to score twice. Their domination of the set scrums and line-outs and their crisper handling, were the factors contributing principally to Australia’s well deserved win.

The visjting team faced stern opposition, and it revealed that has the makings of a side that no team will be able to take liberties with. Throwing the ball about at every opportunity, the Australian backs and forwards thrust the combined team on to the defensive from the outset; and for a while it appeared as if the combined defence would wilt. However, although the combined team’s tackling was not always what it should have been, it kept its line intact. After 20 minutes’ play the combined forwards settled down and began to get the measure of their opponents, hut the Australians were always on top in the set scrums, Dawson raking the ball back almost unfailingly. The Australians gained the ball more often, but occasionally the combined backs received an opportunity, and when they did, they usually made an imoression. Getting a fairer share of the ball, and with its forwards producing their best form in close, loose rushes, combined had the better of the early stages in the second half, but about ten minutes before the end, the Australians were on top again. Concentrating upon mwn football, the Australians showed a clear-cut superiority in handling the ball, and particularly in picking it up. When the Australians broke away with the ball at the toe they were less concentrated in attack, and, when a favourable bounce permitted a player to snap up the ball, his companions fanned out and indulged in snappy, long passes, which were favoured by the Australian inside backs, and they were executed in such way that the recipient was usually given plenty of room in which to work. Schulte, the visiting half-back, shot out well directed passes, but in the second spell, Marriner and Wetton frequently caught him in possession. Schulte varied his game cleverly. Bannon was fast off the mark, and it required a solid low tackle to stop him. The use of two centres had the combined team worried, Schulte making good use of the blind side. Howell was always a source of danger, but the outstanding Australian back was Mcßride. He handled well, and once the ball was in his possession, he clapped on the pace, often racing thiough the combined forwards to open up passing in which he had led mole than once. The wings, Eastes and McLean, were well bottled up by Cartwright and Jamieson. Eastes showed he has the pace and determination. A highlight of the Australians performance was a brilliant field goal kicked by Piper from about 45 yards out. Piper was sound on defence, but his handling was not as sure as the others. His line kicking was usually well done. Cameron, the combined halt-back, played brilliant football and defence was particularly sound. From the scrum he gave almost faultless service. Pool 1 handling by Ridland cost the combined team chances in the first spell. Roper’s try was brilliant, anl Jamieson was always dangei'ous. Rattling good football was played by both packs, and the Australians showed that they are capable in the tight as well as in the loose play. Livermore and C. Windon were perhaps the most prominent, the former playing splendidly. The combined pack save the impression that it was playing as well as it was allowed. Wetton was the outstanding combined forward and Marriner was one of the most dangerous, particularly in the loose. He was unlucky in failing to score when he broke through with the ball at his toe and touched down on the dead ball line. Walker was a tireless toiler, and did a great deal of defence work. . , . Australia scored four minutes after the second spell began. Ballot, the combined full-back, fumbled and Livermore picked up. A number of backs and forwards handled the ball before Windon went over near the nosts, Livermore converting. The combined side equalised within two minutes, Roper handling twice and beating two men before touching down. Ridland converted. The combined side’s second try camo after another quarter of an hour and was die result of a fine run down the sideline by Jamieson, who beat two men. Piper’s field goal, nine _ minutes before time, clinched the issue.

Australians Laid Up P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 25. K. Windon,- vice-captain of the Australian Rugby team, was admitted to the New Plymouth Hospital, suffering from osteomyelitis. He will remain there when the .team leaves for Wanganui to-morrow. K. Hodda, a hooker, injured his knee at Whangarei. He will be unable to play for longer than was at first thought. He expects to be available in three weeks. Cooke, another member, went off the field with a bruised hand on Saturday. He will not be available for next Wednesday’s match, but it is expected his hand will have recovered before next Saturday. McLean, the captain, expects to be available for the first Test match. The manager of the team, Dr. W. H. Ward, has been given authority by the New Zealand Rugby Union to have replacements flown from Australia, if necessary. A decision will be made next Wednesday.