SEASON'S THIRD GREAT RUGBY TEST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 October 1928, Page 13

SEASON'S THIRD GREAT RUGBY TEST

Why South Africa Won—Orthodox Game and Brilliance 9 “This was one of the hardest international games in which I have ever participated, 9 9 declared Phil Mostert, captain of the ‘South African Rugby team, after he had led his men to victory against New Zealand in the third Test match (says the Port Elizabeth “Herald” in introducing the following comment on the game played at Port Elizabeth on August 18). South Africa emerged from the game winners by a goal and two tries (11 points) to two tries (6 points). Fast beyond belief and open enough to delight the most exacting, it was one of the greatest international encounters ever played in South Africa.

Phil Mostert expressed the view that the Springboks had won because they had played the orthodox game, scrummaging with eight forwards and playing to their hacks. This is a fair epitome' of one of the most thrilling international matches ever played in this country, and which will always be remembered as a Homeric battle of forwards. At one stage of the game, towards the end of the first hair, it appeared as if the AH Blacks were wearing down the Springbok scrummagers and assuming the ascendancy; but for the last twenty minutes the Springboks’ power in the scrum came into its own, and it was once again shown that eight good forwards will beat seven good men. Throughout the match was hard and fast, and it never seemed possible that the forwards could last the pace set in the first half. It was a question of which pack would crack, and alter the Springboks first showed signs of weakening it was the All Blacks who finally cracked. But, nevertheless, in fairness to the New Zealanders, it must be stated that Alley, their lock, was a. sick man earlier in the week. The fact of the key man weakening m the final stages may have played a part in the Springboks' final dominance. Yet, though outplayed in the scrums and having to rely on their opportunism to get their chances, tlie All Blacks were always dangerous. ALMOST A DRAW. Indeed, in the final minute of play it seemed likely that the All Blacks would snatch a draw. It was a thrilling finish to a great match. l.ilburne broke and made tracks for the opposing line, passing to Hazlett, who found himself supported by Swam and Clrenside. The tail, winging forward drew Tindall, the full-back, and passed out to Swain, who seemingly had only -Rousseau to beat with a man in support. The centre took his man, hut Swain passed the ball out ancl a try seemed inevitable. Straight for the comer Grenside went with the spectators on their feet watching a thrilling dash for the line, which threatened to rob South Africa of a victory which a moment bet ore was firmly in hand. Ten yards from the line he- seemed sure of scoring; but with five yards still to go a couple of defenders hove into view, cutting across, to intercept the flying wing. It was touch and go. As the sturdy All Blacks’ wing dived for the line he was simultaneously tackled by Van der Westhuizen and Brand, who had come across from the other wing, and the All. Black and two Springboks’ rolled over in a hunch, knocking over the corner flag. - One famous international back said, alter the game, that had Grenside come in-field in the last ten yaads he must have scored and given New Zealand a- chant© to draw; hut no doubt the winger felt he could heat the defenders in the run for the corner, and made a gallant effort to achieve this purpose.

CRENSTDE’S STIRRING BID. Before the three players had picked tliemsel.es oft' the ground Mr. Neser had Mown the no-side whistle, ami a thrilling match was terminated. The picture of Gren side’s great effort and the stirring tackle ol the two Springboks is the chief impression that most, spectators will retain of a mat eh which will long he remembered and discussed in Test match history. Two of the Springboks’ three , tries were scored b,v the forwards, and the third which was scored by the hacks, was initiated by Van Druten, a forward. This further enhances the merit of the South African forward play, and it must be candidly confessed that South African outside hacks were not up to the standard set hv their pack or their inside players. ' On Saturday Bennie Osier, who so delights to dominate a game on his ■ own" subordinated himself to his side and showed wliat a really great outside half lie can be when he plays orthodox football. He was always well served by De Villiers, who was one of the outstanding successes of the, match, and judiciously varied his play so as to keep the defence in doubt, maintaining always a well-directed service from the scutum and sending out quick flashing passes. Better line kicking than Osier’s on Saturday I have never seen, and Only jus forwards can say what his kicking meant to them at that critical stage .after about twenty minutes’ play. OSLER’Si TELLING LINE KICKS. They were straining under the pace of the game, and the All Blacks threatened to get on top.! Time and again ho drove the New Zealanders hack, twenty, thirty, and even forty . yards, with accurate touch-finders, which’ gave his pack sorely-heeded rest and gave the All Blacks pack their job to do all over again.

The emergency line of three-quarters which represented South Africa were not as successful as they might have been. Van der Westhuizen was really brilliant in making openings in the first half, and be was never slow to lake advantage of the openings he made. But, having done so, his efforts finished weakly. He was like a clever boxer who lacks punch in a fight to Ihe finish.

At one time in the second half he cut through a gap and might have scored himself,, Imt lie let out a slow, Jobbing pass to his wing, which Grcnside intercepted and momentarily looked like converting into a try. Yet there was much to like about Van dor VVesthuizen’s play. Bou sseau quite justified Iris selection and was a superb defender, improving in attack as the game progressed. Neither of the wings let the side down, but it must be admitted that neither greatly impressed and Were not as good as their opponents. De Jongh scored a good try, but he would have been a poor international that could have failed to' accept the chance offered, while Brand did not impress as much as in the Johannesburg match. He showed himself deficient in pace, though his kicking was good.

Tindall again showed himself the man for a big game and was always playing) well. He saved what .appeareda certain 1 try towards the end ot tlte'i first half, when the hall was high punted on to the line. He barely’ reached the ball in front of a mass ©h All Blacks, hut did not have time to take it and did the one thing to save the situation. Ho liy-kicked to touch. All the All Blacks’ pack played a fine game, with McWilliams find Hazlett most- Outstanding in the loose, probably because they were the rear rank men. Alley and the hookers were solid scrummagers and they received splendid support fully to hold the Springbok pack for three-quarters of the game. Stewart was a thorn in the side of the opposition. He play-, ed as a rover in the ea'rly -part 'of the game, but later made big efforts to secure the loose head. It was no- uncommon sight to see De Villiers, exercising his right to put the ball in either side of the scrum, dart round to the opposite ’side with 1 Stewart chasing round the other end of the scrum in an attempt to get the loose head -before the ball was put in. But unlike in the Johannesburg match.,he packed in line with his front rank. Dailey played a most Serviceable game, considering he has been out oi play for several weeks. THE ALL BLACK WINGS. ' Lit bur no was too closely watched to shine, hut Johnson was most serviceable both in attack and defence. Botii Ro billiard, and Grenside played finely and were the best wings on the field, and Carletoii was a fine 'defender, though it was a bad mistake of his which Jed to the first try. Lindsay at full-back was ’not in his best form. The AH Blacks’ -backs shone , chiefly in defence, and the alignment did hot place them in position for attack, with the result that their -passing was otten done at a standstill and was never dangerous. Yet despite the fact they had to rely on opportunism for their chances they were very often dangerous, particularly in the last half, when the South African backs were mulling- their passes and Grenside snatched up the ball on one occasion, while a further lapse allowed Lilburne to initiate the thrilling last moment effort. Individually the tourists’ inside players were not nearly as good as the Springboks, and they suffered through their safety-first-methods; hut what fine opportunists are their’ wings! « Just a word about the men who won the match —the forwards. Phil Mostert may not he quite the great forward he was a few years ago, but lie is still a lino -forward and a great leader of forwards. His experience means a -lot to the side, and so does his whole-hearted example. Perhaps the outstanding forward on the side was Daneel.

STILL FORMIDABLE OPPONENTS

He who showed- himself a remarkably brainy player, and effected several breaks which were extremely dangerous. The more one sees of him, the more he is like Mervyn Ellis.

Net has benefiittecl from his international games and played very finely, and it was largely his excellent work which enable the Springboks to have the advantage in the line-out. Van Druten played as a scruinmager instead of as a back-row forward, and again showed his ability to shine in any phase of forward play, while Preforms again played a most useful game. Of the. newcomers, Oliver was an Outstanding player at one period of the game, and) led several liny? rushes, while both Dirt Toit and “Boy’’ Louw proved grand sera mm aging forwards. Every player justified himself. It was a match in which both sides might have scored more hud they made the most of their opportunities; but nevertheless, it was a good game for an international, and the All Black’s display again shows that we cannot afford to- take them lightly in the last Test match. In an interview after the match Phil Mostert, said: “from start to finish no quarter was given or taken and we had to exert all our abilities as footballers to fend these redoubtable All Blacks from our line. I am very proud of the display of my forwards.

ALWAYS JN DOUBT. “Never for a moment did they weaken in their efforts, hut tried and tried again. The backs also kept matters very hot for their opponents, and 1 always felt sure, that wehn I hooked the ball into their hands they would make the best use of it. The All Blacks played a hard and' Ifast game and right up to the last minute, no one could be sure of the result.” Tlie teams were:ALL BLACKS. Hull Back: D. Lindsay. Three-quarters: A. E. Grenside, S. R.. Ca'rleton, A. C. C. Bobilliard. Five-eighths: H. Lilbnrne, H. M. Johnson. Half: W. Q.' Dailey. Boyer: B. L. Stewart Forwards: W. Hazlett, B. McWilliams ; M. Brownlie (captain), G. T. Alley, J. Finlayson; L. Hadley, .1. SwaAi (hookers). Stewart, arid Grenside scored fries. SPRINGBOKS. Full Back: J. 0. Tindall. Three-quarters: G. Brand, J. O. van dor Westhuizen, W. Rosscaii, VI. tie .Tough. Halves: B. L. Ostler (fly), P. do Villens (serum). Forwards: P'. J. Mostert (captain), G. Daneel, P. Nel, “Boy” Louw, J. van Drnten, P. Oliver, N. Pretorius, A. F. due Toit. Nel, de Jongh and Daneel scored tries, one being converted by Osier. Mr. PI. V. Neser was the referee.