THE FIRST TEST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 November 1924, Page 3

THE FIRST TEST

VICTORY FOR THE ALL BLACKS

BATTLE OF THE FORWARDS

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, Nov. 1. The All Blacks played their first international match against Ireland at Dublin to-day, aiid after a well-con-tested game emerged victorious by 6 points to nil. 'The teams were: NEW ZEALAND. Full-back—Nepia. Three-quarters—Haft, Lucas, Svenson. Five-eighths—Cooke, Nicholls. \ Half—Dailey. Wing forward—Parker. Forwards—lrvine, Donald, Masters, Vf- Brownlie, Cupples, Richardson and White. Stewart was not included in the New Zealand team owing to pleurisv. IRELAND. Full-back—Crawford. Three-quarters—H. Stephehson, G. Stephenson, Gardiner, T. Hewitt. Halve,s—F. Hewitt, McDowell. Forwards—R. Collopy, Crichton, Collis, McLelland, McVicker, Spain, Clinch and Brand. Intense Interest was taken in the first appearance of the famous Dominion players,, whose chances were strongly favoured, and even before the day it was khoivii that a huge crowd was assured. This expectation was fully borne out, as the attendance numbered 26,000. The spectators gave an enthusiastic welcome to the visitor's; when they filed on to the ground. HART NEARLY OVER. New Zealand lost the toss and.kicked off against a strong wind. It was early seen that Ireland had put in the field a heavy, well-balanced team in excellent condition. They stood up boldly to their formidable opponents, and it was nOt sitrprising, with the reputation the Irish forwards have gained in the last two or three years, that they made a most creditable fight of it. The first incident of note was a brilliant rush by the All Black forwards, ending in Parker putting in a welljudged cross-kick. Hart gathered it in his stride, and a thrill went through the crowd as he dashed for the line. The full-back (Crawford), however, was equal to the occasion, and got there in time to hold up the Taranaki winger by inches only. With a fine' kick up the side-line. Clinch removed the ball out of danger. A series of _ scrums and line-outs followed, in whieJo Ireland ably held its own, showing equally good form with the New Zealanders, but the attempts of their hacks at passing were nullified by the All Blacks’ terrific tackling, which, indeed, was a most striking feature of the opening stages. They have greatly improved in this branch of the game, which at one time ivas a decided weakness iii their play. Their keenness led them into some infractions of the rules, and the majority of penalties were against them. From one of these Crawford, who was kicking splendidly, narrowly missed a goal. DASHING PLAY. Helped very much by the wind the Irishmen were able to keep the game in their adversaries’ territory for quite a long time, until a fine passing rush, in which the hall passed through the hands of Nicholls, Cooks and Lucas, almost enabled Hart to score, hut again determined collaring just stopped him in time. Both se.ts of forwards were playing a magnificent game and giving a dashing exhibition. The Irishmen displayed a remarkable aptitude for smothering the All Blacks’ passing from the base of the scrum, and so clipped off the attempts of the All Blacks to get going. Both teams, in fact, resorted to spoiling methods, and the game therefore was very close, without much room for scientific methods. Obviously the New Zealanders, struggling against the wind, could not afford to take risks, aiidi could hardly do anything else but keep the game tight while the wind was blowing towards their goal, nor were they disoosed to let their opponents open out. Both sides kept up a great pace, and if not scientific, the play was decidedly robust and hard. Nicholls, Dailey, and Parker were conspicuous for fine defensive work at this stage, Nicholls’ kicks into touch being specially certain and effective. NEPIA MAGNIFICENT. The gruelling work, however, began to tell its tale, and before the first half ended there were signs that the pace was having its effect on the home side. The New Zealanders began more and more to get possession of the hall, but the backsj though passing brilliantly, were unable to penetrate the Irishmen’s sturdy defence, and the spell ended without any score. Gn the resumption of play the All Blacks immediately took the offensive, the forwards excelling themselves with most effective dribbling rushes, while Nepia and Nicholls, both playing brilliantly, inspired tlieir colleagues "in the back division by their example. f The Maori player was magnificent, fielding the ball faultlessly and kicking with wonderful length: Once again the conditions entirely favoured the home side. It was really extraordinary bad luck for the New Zealanders that after battling against the wind in the first half, it should veer completely round and again blow from behind Ireland, this time accompanied by heavy rain squalls. Nothing eould he worse for the visitors, but they fared the heavy task with resolution and uncliminished vigour. ALL BLACKS SCORE. After 20 minutes of bard, gruelling play, the All Blacks for wards developed a tremendous loose attack, which completely broke the opposition up. Parker secured- the hall and passed to Lucas. The latter banded it on to Svensnn, who crossed the line half-way from the corner -to score a thoroughly deserved try. Nepia’s kick failed'. All Blacks 8 Ireland 0

In the fifcst international test the All Blacks succeeded, in defeating Ireland by six points to nil. The score m considered to be most satisfactory in view of tbe fact that the All Blacks had everything against them. They played against the wind throughout, while a rainstorm in the second half made the bail difficult to handle. There is one outstanding feature, however, and that is—the pick of ireiand never crossed the All Blacks’ line. The battle of the forwards was the great feature of the game, -and aroused the greatest enthusiasm. The All Blacks’ display Was magnificent, and certainly justifies the hope that they may retain their unbeaten record on the English tour.

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY.

Five minutes later Nicholls landed a superb goal from a penalty kick. All Blacks 6 Ireland 0 The heeling out of the scrum by the All Blacks improved as the game* pro-* gressed, but the ehfihces this gave the backs of proihisiiljg passing movements were nullified by tllfeir inability to handle the greasy ball with certainty. Hewitt (Ireland) retired hurt at this juncture. Notwithstanding their disadvantage the All Blacks had dearly asserted their supremacy, and twice Hart was almost across. Nothing but tlieir magnificent tackling saved Ireland. F. Hewitt was particularly conspicuous in defence. BATTLE OF FORWARDS. The game was contested in the finest possible spirit and aroused the great mass of onlookers to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The battlfe betWeeil the forwards was the most notable feature of the game all thrdugh. Both packs fought desperately for every inch of New Zealand’s success was primarily due to the cbllectiv’e exdellenc'e of the vanguard, who fulfilled the greatest expectations. Notwithstanding their obstinate defence the Irishmen were a beaten teafii in the secohd half, ancl had the turf remained dry it is agreed that the All Blacks would’ probablv have put up 20 points against them. . Brownlie, White, Richardson and Cupples were proiiiineht, hut in justice to the remaining forwards it must be added that all alike played magnificently The display of both Mil-backs was also another 'outstanding feature of the day. Dailey rose meritoriously to the 'occasion, but Cooke and Lucas' did not appear to handle the. ball with their uspal sufeness, and Sveiieon on the wing was comparatively neglected. J. arker was possibly the most brilliant player of all oh .the clay, showing out consistently well both 'in attack and defence. CROWD’S FRANTIC CHEERS. ... Aew Zealand was penalised eight times An the first half, chiefly through mistakes in scrum play, but fared betjll. D le next spell, when only six penalties were given, three of them against Barker. Luckily they were mostly qut- of easy range of the goal. Ihe stamina on both sides was exceptional, and tremendous pressure was maintained throughout. The game from .beginning to end was quite up to the ->e:st international standards. Durin°" I the final exciting stages,, when the All Blacks; were mostly in the ascendancy and threatening to score at any moment, .the people were roused to such a pitch of excitement that- thousands stood m the pouring rain regardless of Weather, cheering frantically. _ Negotiations for if game in British Columbia remain indefinite till the homeward route has been decided on. J:t. lias been suggested that the tour should end with a match against iFrance at Toulouse, and that the team j should return hv the Siiefc Canal. REMAINING MATCHES. November s—v. Ulster, at Belfast. November B—V. Northumberland, at Newcastle. November 12—v. Cambridge University November 15 —v. London Counties, a I .Lwickenham. November 20—v. Oxford University. Noveriiber 22 v. Wales, at Swansea. November 29—v., Wales, at Swansea. December 2—v. Llanelly ! December '6—v. East ' Midlands, at Northampton. December 11—v. Warwickshire, \at Coventry. December 13—v. Combined Services, at Twickenham. December 17—v. Hampshire, at Porte mouth. December 27—v. London Counties (se cond match). •January 3—r. England, at Twickenham. January 11—v. a representative French team at Baris. January 38—v. France, at Toulouse. iNDIVIDtIAL SCORES. Following is a summarised record of scores: Goals from Other Potted Player Tries Tries Goals Goals Tl. Nepia, G. : Hart, A. H. 13 1 Nicholls, M. 1 9 3 1 34 Cooke, A. E. 10 Parker, H. 9 Svenson, K. S. 8 Mill, J. 0 Steel, J. 5 Brown, H. W. 3 2 White, A. 1 5 Lucas, W. 3 Donald, J. 3 Richardson, J. 3 Porter, C. G. 3 Brownlie. M. 2 Irvine, W. R. 2 McGregor, N. P. 2 Masters, R.. 11. 2 Stewart, R. L. 2 Puppies. L. F. 1 Brownlie, C. J. 1 "West, A. H. 1 The names of the scorers of two tries in the Cheshire match and one in the Yorkshire match have not yet beer, cabled, so are not included in the above list.

(By “Spectator.”) There lias been a considerable improvement, though not exactly what could have boon wished, in the reports sent out by cable of the matches, and it is possible now to form a. much hotter idea, of the play and of the form of the players. This is much more satisfactory and is very gratifying to the hosts of enthusiasts who wish to visualise the matches as far as is possible. The game was most important to the All Blacks because, being the first

international, it was expected to serve as an indication of the chances of the team in the remaining big matches of the tour.. That they have played.well up to expectations will be readily granted. "Wo can look with the greatest confidence to the remaining matches. The outstanding feature of the play, especially of the first spell, is, as was confidently expected, the great struggle of the forwards on either side. Ireland lias ever been famous’ for her front line and evidently this year's pack is well maintaining the reputation for hard dashing play made by the teams of the past. What is most pleasing to New Zealanders is that our pack responded with spirit to the challenge and played, with the odds of the weather against them, so well that in. the second spell they had much the better of the exchanges. They also showed a. combination” in scruni and loose work which had not so far been as marked as is required against first rate teams. To this largely must be ascribed their success, and though the winning score was from a back movement, the forwards beat the Irishmen at their own game, and were thus enabled to give the backs the opportunities they wanted. Though they opened up play more in the second spell the state of the wind and weather shows what was the safe game, and that they gave the backs so many chances demonstrates their confidence. The conditions were all agaihst concerted back play. , Another feature that is stressed in the report is the great defensive play on both sides,. and especially the spoiling tactics of the Irish team. It appears ns though they realised that was their, great hope. And their tackling'was therefore very deadly and was met by equally effective tackling on the other side. This is a very gratifying feature and inspires confidence in their ability to counter the best teams. Hart was selected instead of Steel, and in this we believe the selectors were right. Steel’s injury is a big handicap. Hart justified his place as was expected, and but for the wonderful defence of the opposing fullback must have scored several times. It is hard to judge a back on his play Under such adverse conditions, but the report seems to show that Lucas was not the strength expected. A southern paper chooses Brown as the 'best centre, and if fit this is undoubtedly so, ahd probably a change will he made later. Parker played in place of Porter-on the wing, and though he was penalised oil several occasions he appeared to play a great game and to combine well, like the true rover, with the hacks. Halley also was in his best form and gave his hacks every chance. He appeal's to be more solid than Mill, who is inclined t‘o overdo his individualism. The result was received with tremendous interest and enthusiasm all over the Dominion, and has increased the already high reputation,, of the team. Hie keenest anticipation will he felt in the remaining international fixtures.