ALL BLACKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 November 1924, Page 7

ALL BLACKS.

MATCH WITH OXFORD

A BRILLIANT GAME. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT (Received Nov. 21, 2 p.m.) , LONDON, Nov. 20. Ihe AH Blacks to-day met Oxford, which is regarded as one of the strongest . sides in England, and contained in its ranks a number of overseas players. After a spirited game the New Zealanders emerged victorious by 33 points to 15, and thus have put their total score well ahead of the last tuo Dominion teams which have visited England. The New Zealand team was: Full-back: Nepia. Three-quarters: Robiiliard, Cooke. Steel. ’ Five-Eighths: McGregor, Nicholls. Half: Dailey. Forwards; Porter (wing), Donald, Irvine, M. Brownlie, Masters, Stewart, Cupples and White. Conditions were excellent, as the weather was fine though ' dull, and there 'Vas no wind. The ground was Gxford abandoned the usual Uai-K blue jerseys to avoid confusion, and played in all white.

Oxford kicked OfF, and through Musters mulling the Ifafl 'Varsitv bored their way into New Zealand territory, where a passing rush nearly brought them a score. Just after doolie failed to held the ball, which was kicked over the New Zealand line, and Jacob following up fast seenred a. try which Berkely converted. Nicholls promptly retaliated by dropping a goal. The All Blacks soon pulled themseives together and put in some effective passing. Brownlie. Nicholls and White took a- haftd in one boftt and the lastnamed went over the line. Nicholls converted. Keeping up their pace and flinging the ball about freely, Cooke ran over as the result of another spell of brilliant passing, and again Nicholls added a- goal. Oxford then had another look in. Nepia-, for once, was caught in two minds and failed to take the ball and let McPherson in to score aii easy try. Berkeley was agan successful in converting, and half-time ended with the score 14—10. Upon resuming Wesclie . reolaced Raymond at full-back for Gxford and Raymond went up into the threequarter line.

The All Blacks continued their aggressive play and swept down on Varsity’s goal with an irresistible rush that carried them over and enabled Brownlie to score under the posts. Nicholls had no difficulty in converting. The visitors kept up their attacks, hut many attacks failed through mistakes in passing at the right moment. The Oxford threequarters pftt up a gal-Tant defence, and -amid deafening cheers Wordsworth and Wallace made a splendid united effort. The latter ran to half-way and then passed to Wordsworth, who ran thrbftgh all opposition and crossed the line, Berkely converting. This, however ,was ’Varsity’s last success. The All Blacks came to the attack again, and Steel got over, Nicholls concerting. Soon afterwards he dfopped anothef goal. Though the ’ Varsity hacks were coftritering well arid their forwards often gaift-ecl possession, the New Zealanders broke through and Steel scored under the posts. Nicholls easily added the goal. Following a movement in which Porter, Nicholls, McGregor and Robiiliard sftecessively handled the bal, the last-named scored and Nicholls once more converted. The second half was thrilling and full of excitement. Raymond, Aitken and Wallace stood out among the ’Varsity backs Nicholls was the hero of the match, converting every try and dropping tWtf goals. Cupples, Brownlie, White arid Masters were the best- of the forwads. COMMENTS ON THE PLAY. The outstanding point in the result, and one that has caused no doubt a deal of thought to the captain and manager ,and will do so to all enthusiasts in New Zealand ,will be the score registered against the team. In only one other match of the tour, that against Newport, has the opposition secured over six points. In that match, which followed just after the overwhelming defeat administered to Swansea, the team wa6, with two exceptions, the same as against Swansea. The score naturally suggests a weakness in the defence such as was apparently noticed against London Counties, but in all probability the Oxford team would be more consistently good than the former. However, Oxford scored only one more try than the Counties. The cabled news of the last few days has forecasted an extremely good three-quarter line, comprising several overseas players. Whether a New Zealander would be asked to play against his own country is not certain. There is, however, no reason why be should not do so. Reference to the similar question in 1905 shows that Dr. Fell Avas on that occasion chosen for Scotland, but iireferredi not to play. The All Blacks’ total shows that as soon as they got into their stride they piled up the score. The game up to the internal Avas specially keenly contested and full of interest, both having two converted tries. aiid the difference being only Nicholls’ brilliant potted goal. Then they got to AA r ork in (real earnest, and despite gallant defence and often determined attack by the ’Varsity men, oiie of Avltose back rushes resulted in a brilliant try, they piled up 19 more points. The fonA’ards apparently took a big part with the backs in the passing rushes, and Avere successful in notching several tries. The goal kicking on both sides Avas of a high standard, as good as if not better than ever seen in a big match such as this. It Avas a Avonderful triumph in goal-kicking for Nicholls.