THE ALL BLACKS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 211, 20 August 1934, Page 4

THE ALL BLACKS

AUSTRALIAN XV. BEATEN Not a Spectacular Match FINAL TEST PROSPECTS By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. BRISBANE, August 19. The All Blacks have tamed Australia’s test backs. That is what close students of the game thought as they left the Exhibition Ground after seeing New Zealand beat a strong Australian fifteen by 11 points to six. The weather was fine for the match and there was little breeze. The ground was fast. The mutch was disappointing to tho crowd of 15,000, but those who know their Rugby found plenty to interest them. The main factors in the first test were reversed. The Australian backs were not the speedy greyhounds they were in Sydney; the New Zealand forwards saw to that. In doing so, however, they neglected real forward play to such an extent that the Australian eight were slightly superior on the day. When it is considered that Bonis gave Malcolm and his men another feast of the ball and that Australia failed to cross the New Zealand line, the extent of the New Zealand forwards’ effective stopping will be fully realised. These tactics also had the effect of slowing the game up, and it was a pity that such a largo crowd was not treated to a better spectacle in a centre where the League game is so strong. Still, the All Blacks felt it encumbent upon them to win, and set about it in the way they thought most effective. The result proved that their tactics were sound. MANCHESTER BEST FORWARD. Looking round tho star players on the New Zealand side, it would be hard to go past Manchester as the best forward. He was up with every bit of play tackled demoniacally and rucked solidly. Next to him was McLean, who worked like a Trojan throughout, although he wag not as fit as he would like to be. In the backs, the winners were best served by Lilburne. He never made a mistake in kicking, handling or tackling, and was content not to run up with the backs to-day as he did on Wednesday, for he realised that these tactics would not pay as the play was swinging. Griffiths again showed that he is developing into one of New Zealand’s best backs, although to-day saw the backs get verylittle opportunity for attack. Bridle was easily Australia’s best player. He broke from the scrums with amazing speed, and some of his solo dashes were delightful. Had he been supported, Australia would have had at least one try. Most of the Australian forwards, except Hodgson, who was a passenger owing to an injured leg, did well, however, on account of finding the New Zealand pack with their attentions divided.

Bonis out-hooked Lambourne 37 times to 22. It must have been heartbreaking to him to see the Australian backs fail to make use of the opportunities presented to them. Vincent, who is regarded as the successor to Ross, started shakily again and again looked as though he would repeat Wednesday’s exhibition, but the young Queenslander rallied splendidly and played brilliant football in ths second spell. The only other Australian back who played true to form was Kelaher, but, like McLean, ho received very limited chances. Tho teams were;

New Zealand.—Full-back, Lilburne-three-quarters, Holder, Caughey’ Hart; five-eighths, Page, Griffiths; halt-back, Corner; forwards, Leeson Lambourne, Hore, McLean, McKenzie’ Manchester, King, Barry.

Australia. — Full-back, Vincent; three-quarters, Kelaher, Towers, Hayes (captain), McLean; five-eighth, Lewis; half-back, Malcolm; forwards, Clark’ Hodgson, Bridle, Doneley, Mackay, Ritter, Bonis, Birmingham. New Zealand made last-minute alterations in the team, Barry playing vice Max, who was originally chosen instead of Mataira. HOLDER SCORES. New Zealand scored in the first ten minutes as a result of a neat individual effort by Holder, who must be running Bullock-Douglan close for a test place. The ball came to him ten vards from the line, and though he had little room to move he made no mistake. Lilburne sent New Zealand further ahead with an accurate penalty goal from a reasonably easy position, and the crowd began to yell: “Como on, Aussies!” as though the Greens were a beaten lot . Certainly the All Blacks dominated the early stages. Even play followed, with Bridle’s individual brilliance giving Australia a chance to make up the leeway. lie was always unsupported, however. Doneley, the Queensland forward, who was placed in the team largely for his kicking, was then given his first chance at goal, from near the half-wny. He made no mistake, and Australia was only three points down at tho interval, when the score was:— New Zealand li Australia 3 11. was a. game of the rugged typo in the second spell. AUSTRALIAN BACKS BEATEN, The Australian backs tried short punting, but the bounce never once favoured them. There was tremendous excitement when Doneley made tho scores equal with another penalty goal, hut the New Zealanders did not leave much doubt about their ability to win when they came back with persistent attacks, launched mainly through the mistakes of the Australian backs. This was how they Scored the winning margin. Page high punted

from a penalty, and Towers called for the ball, onlv to drop it badly. The New Zealand forwards kicked ahead. Both Vincent and Kelaher failed to keep out McLean, who forced his way over Lilburne converted.

The dying stages saw New Zealand in the ascendancy again, and only a technical knock-on saved a certain try. The final score was: New Zealand ... 11 Australia ... 6

New Zealand’s test prospects are certainly enhanced as a result of to-day's success, but tho form of Australian backs was too poor to bo true. 'Thu Sydney Cricket Ground should hold a great crowd for the final test, and it certainly looks to be anybody’s game, with the odds slightly favouring New Zealand. . “ROASTING” IN PRESS Crowd Disappointed (Received 20, 10.30 a.m.) BRISBANE, August 19. The AU Blacks came in for a roasting from the sensational section of tho week-end press. “New Zealand won a match that never once reached international standard and that was a big disappointment to the crowd that paid for thrills but hardly once raised a cheer. The Australian backs gave a woeful exhibition of futility and ineptitude and if the New Zealand side had been even a shadow of the former AU Blacks their total would have assumed cricket proportions,” said one paper. The attack loses a lot of its sting when it is known that the same paper has been boosting the improvement in the Australian standard. The general opinion Is that the All Blacks would be slightly better than the 1932 side with Purdue and Solonion in. Tho tourists spent Sunday on the glorious waters of Moreton Bay in the palatial yacht Cambria. AUSTRALIAN TEST TEAM. SELECTION UNALTERED. BRISBANE, August 18. The Australian Rugby selectors have decided to maintain the first test team for the second test at Sydney next Saturday. The team will be as follows: — AUSTRALIA Full-back; Ross (N.S.W.) Three-quarters; Kelaher (N.S.W.), Towers (N.S.W.) Hays (Ql capt., McLean (Q) Five-eighth: Lewis (Q) Half-back • Malcolm (N.S.W.) Forwards: Maekney (N.S.W.), Hodgson (N.S.W.) Bridle (V), Dunlop (V), W. G. White

(N.S.W.), Birmingham (Q), Bonis (Q), Jeoeep (V).