TRADITION UPSET AT CARISBROOK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 162, 28 June 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRADITION UPSET AT CARISBROOK

What of Next Saturday ?

All Black Forwards’ Responsibility

Tradition was upset at Carisbrook, Dunedin, last Saturday, when New Zealand failed to maintain its winning sequence on this historic ground. “It’s a long lane that has no turning” is an adage well applied in this instance, but perhaps the same may be applied next Saturday at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, where our chosen side has been defeated in four out of five international contests.

IA UN EDIN is popularly supposed to be inhabited by people of dour disposition, but on the occasion of last week’s test they certainly displayed any amount of enthusiasm. Dunedin’s Warm Welcome.

The All Blacks travelled from Oamaru by the second express, and, on arrival at Dunedin, the team was greeted by a great concourse of people who vociferously cheered the footballers as they descended from the train. The oldest inhabitant could not remember a warmer welcome. Friday night prior to the test was not exactly summery in temperature, yet enthusiasts gathered at the gates at 0 p.m. in readiness for their opening next morning. The first person through the gates on Saturday, was a lady who showed great pace across the ground to a position evidently chosen, beforehand. Sho was pursued by an official who required her name and address, but the fair spectator was loth to supply the information.. However, when she learned that as a reward for her long wait the Otago I’ugby Union intenaW donating her a complimentary ticket for the remainder of the season she readily supplied the required information. George Nepia’s Age. The Dunedin critics, prior ot the game, were caustic in their comment of the number of veterans in the New Zealand fifteen, but the published list of tho ages of the .various players was exaggerated in many instances. George Nepia’s age was given as 30, much to his disgust, and George, who has yet to -celebrate his 26th anniversary, took pains to correct the statement. .Another critic suggested that a song that should prove popular with the All Blacks would be “Old Soldiers Never Die.” The ultimate result of the game would no doubt prove satisfactory to these wiseacres. The New Zealand uniform comprised white jerseys—much oversize—and the familiar stockings and black pants cut very English in pattern, giving a balloon-like appearance to the players. Prentice, -the English captain, who has played in only two of the games so far, was one of the line umpires, and after a close observation of his work in this department it is evident that ha is a handy man in the position. At the line-out when it was Britain's thrown-in the arm holding the flag appeared smitten with a species of ague. In desperation in the second half when Britain were attacking, and tho ball had been kicked out a few yards from the New Zealand goal line, he openly gave the familiar wash-out signal to his men, the intention being to have a scrum in lieu of the line-out, and then fearful that they had not seen his ticktacking called out to them to take a scrum. Umpires are supposed to refrain from coaching, but as there have been changes in the rules governing international football of which we have not been advised,- perhaps prompting from the side line is now permissable by umpires. Handling by English Backs. The handling of the English backs under the Conditions was, in the early stages of the game truly marvellous, and they were eager at all times to throw the ball about and by reason of their enterprise fully deserved their victory. In rush stopping, apart from Spong, they were not impressive, but when the backs were in trouble the forwards quickly came to their assistance. Spong, the stand-off half, a position similar to that of first five-eighth, Is a wonderful back and he and Bowoott are the king pine in all that is going. The British, forwards are all earnest workers, with Ivor Jones and Hodgson the brilliant men in the loose. Jones is as fast rcund the scrum as any New Zealand fir ward, and he concedes penalties for offside with great abandon. Like all overseas combinations that have visited this Dominion the Britishers are past masters in the art of obstruction, and it was common to see a New Zealand player when going for the ball, held by the Jersey by an opponent. Visitors Good in Ruck Work. In ruck work the visitors spread wide their arms and hold their opponents, and at the same time lire busy heeling out to their half-back. By comparison the New Zealand backs at times looked like mere juniors, and though possession was frequently gained from tho scrum and line-out, all attempts at breaking through were easily squashed. Much has been written of Mill’s failure at half, but it was made to look worse by Lilburne, who throughout the day stood in the wrong position. Many times he took passes standing flat-footed, and on occasion turned right round after receiving the ball, thus giving those outside him no chance at all. There is no doubt tbout l.ilhurne's defence, but attacking ability is required

also. Nepia was in good form and I am sure he will play even better in the later tests. To me he appeared slightly out of position when Morley scored the first try. On one occasion in the second half Britain were attacking and George took a mark right on the goal line. His kick sent the ball out at half-way, and from tho resulting line-out Britain were penalised and George put the ball out a few yards from Britain's goal line. Thus in two kicks over 100 yards of territory was gained. Cooke did an immense amount of saving and with Lucas did some deadly tackling. Not a Day for Wing Three-quarters. It was not a day for wing threequarters, but Hart was always dangerous and his evasion of Reeves’ weak tackle when New Zealand’s solitary try was scored denoted determination. On the other wing 01liver did not got much to do, but he does not impress like Hart. The New Zealand Forwards. The New Zealand forwards had a hard row to hoe and in the second half they at times outplayed their opponents, but there was lacking that touch of genius required itir scoring tries when close to the goalline. A Jack Swain would have been handy on Saturday. From the stand it appeared that on one occasion the referee would have been justified in awarding Porter an obstruction try, but apparently the incident escaped his notice. Porter did a lot of good work in the first half, but in the second fell away somewhat. Actually he was trying to catch first Murray, the scrum ’half, and then Spong, but in the encl caught neither. New Zealand’s best forwards were Finlayson, McWilliams and Steere. On the line-out Finlayson was grand, frequently breaking clear with the ball to start a headlong rush. Both McWilliams and Steere wero noticeable in the heavy work, of which there was any amount. Watching the English backs on the day the conviction was forced on me that had conditions been good the soore would have been more like 16 to 3 against New Zealand. Whether the changes made in our team for next Saturday’s test will have the desired effect remains to be seen, but remembering the British rearguard as they shaped at Dunedin I cannot help but think that if Lancaster Park is in good order next Saturday, heavier responsibility still will be placed on our forwards. Hawke’s Bay Chanches. Again the thought arises, how will Hawke’s Bay shape against the visitors? Our provincial fifteen will need to be composed of fifteen men who are physically fit and capable of tackling in effective style—our visitors do not like determined tackling—moreover, our backs must not get ‘out of position and our forwards must keep close to the ball. The Britishers play football that appeals to the public and if the Bay men givp them too much elbow room it will be a case of “shut the gate.”