OTAGO OVERWHELMED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 September 1937, Page 3

OTAGO OVERWHELMED.

BEATEN BY 47 POINTS TO SEVEN.

VISITORS’ BRILLIANT DISPLAY,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, -Sept, li

A brand of Rugby hitherto unknown in Otago was turned on at Carisbrook this afternoon when the Springboks put up their record score of their tour in defeating Otago hy 47 points to 7. The attendance was about 30,000 and the conditions were ideal, and probably the best the Africans have experienced during their tour of New Zealand.

The faintest of breezes blew across the field, the sun was obscured by clou-1 and the ground was hard and fast. In fact dust rose freely from many parts. The atmosphere was almost unpleasantly warm for Rugby but this, no doubt, was also to the Springboks’ liking and the brilliant display of the visiting backs and forwards more than com pensated for any feeling of regret on the part of local enthusiasts that Otago suffered the severest trouncing ever administered by an overseas team. The heavy massed play by the forwards and the fast breaking through

the faintest opening and big rucking of

men handling and running like backs were the features of the visitors’ forward play. The dazzling passing movements by their backs were a revelation. It was a combination of pace, intense backing up and sure handling such as has probably never previously been seen in Dunedin, and this was fortified by long accurate line kicking. Brand was outstanding and he revealed himseif as a wonderful full-bacK and Ms value as a goalkicker y/as demonstrated by the fact that 18 points came from his boot, six conversions out of seven attempts ana two penalties. His only failure was when the bail narrowly missed the posts from a try at the corner. The Otago forwards put up a game fight, especially in the scrums and line outs, in which department they were not shaded to any great extent. Laney hooked well against his formidable opponent Lotz and he, Quaid and ParkMil were an outstanding trio in the Otago pack. Simon piayed well behind the scrum and Trevathan used Ms boot effectively, registering a penalty goal and a smart field goal. The half time score was 13 points to seven in favour of the Springboks, whose scores consisted of three tries, two of which were converted. In the second spell five more tries were registered, four being converted, two penalties by Brand, one from 48 yards out, and two field goals, one each by Hofmeyr and Turner, the latter’s being from near the side line. Otago’s defence in the second half wilted under-the sustained pressure of the Africans, whose scintillating passing bouts appeared at times to have a demoralising effect on the opposition. It was not r that the Otago backs shirked tackling but they. were outpaced and

outgeneralled by the speed, thrust and , backing up of the Springboks’ rearguard. Craven’s dive pass was much in evidence and the ball found safe judgment in the hands of van der Vyver. Hofmeyr and Babrow were wonderful connecting links with the speedy wings, Byster and Turner, the last-named in particular revealing real international class. In an even pack wan Keenan, du Toit, van den Berg and Bastard were perhaps the pick. The teams were as wired except that van der Vyver played instead of Lochner and Byster replaced Williams. For South Africa Babrow, Bastard, Turner, du Toit, Botz, van Keenan and Byster scored tries. Brand converted six and kicked two penalties. Hofmeyr and burner ported goals. * Tne Game. Otago kicked off and tnere was rucking play in midfield and Otago was awarded a penalty near the halfway. Trevathan missed. A few minutes 'later Trevathan goaled with a great kick from a penalty for offside play 50 yards out and on an angle. The Africans’ spurred on by the reverse, attacked strongly but solid rucking by the Otago forwards and good kicking by Taylor and Trevathan drove the visitors back. Van Keenan broke away brilliantly from a lineout. He was tackled by Trevathan but passed to du Toit who sent on to Babrow, the last named going over in a handy position for a fine try. Brand goaled. Taylor then twice misfielded, resulting in dangerous situations, on each occasion Trevathan and Simon returning well to save. The dash and fire of the Otago forwards at this period was matching the Springboks’ weight advantage.

Van Reenan retired for a short period to have an injured hand attended to. Following brilliant passing Babrow centred and then du Toit made a dashing run, .Simon's solid defensive work relieving the Otago line. The Springboks attacked strongly and when R. Mahony fumbled Bastard went over in the arms of’several defenders for a try near the corner. Brand’s kick went outside the uprights.—S—3. Trevathan missed with a long shot at goal from a penalty for a serum infringement. Neiper and Laney headed a great rush when a Springbok attack broke down and from their own line the visitors started a passing rush which ended in Turner galloping over for an eas3' try under the posts. All the backline had handled in the movement ■which ppreadoagled the Otago defence Brand noaled.—l3—3.

Passing in line style from all positions

the Springboks attacked strongly, Taylor twice saving with solid tackling. Craven, cutting through from a scrum, kicked over the line and a race between Mahoney and Babrow ended in favour of the former.

Trcvathan put Otago on the attach with a long kick to the corner but a penalty for a scrum infringement relieved the pressure on the Springbok line. Torrid work in the forwards earned the displeasure of the crowd and Parkhiil, Quaid and Lancy headed a loose rush that carried the play to the African line where a penalty again brought relief, Babrow and Lyster then staged a passing bout right up the side line. Babrow kicked over the lino and in the race missed the try by reason of what appeared to be obstruction on the part of Werner. Parkhiil broke away brilliantly and following the re suiting loose play Trevathan potted a fine goal from the twenty-five line just before half time. —13—7.

Otago . staged their first orthodox passing bout early in the second spell. The ball went out to Werner who threatened danger until upended by Turner. Taylor found the line at the African twenty-five and from the lineout Trevathan potted unsuccessfully. The ball shot out to the wing where Werner knocked on to spoil a likely chance. Otago was awarded a penalty on tne twenty-five line but Trevathan missed with the kick.

Brand’s great touch finding put the Springboks on the attack for the first time in the spell and following a dazziing passing rush Turner set sail for the line only to be solidly grassed by' Werner. Pretty in and out passing, in which du Toit figured prominently, tested Otago’s defence. Craven broke through and snappy passing among the forwards ended in du Toit scoring under the posts for Brand to goal.—l B—7. The Otago defence was again pierced when'Lotz gathered in a dropped pass to brush off a tackier and score in a handy position. Brand goalcd.—23—7. Taylor twice earned applause with fine line kicking but du Toit intercepted a pass near halfway. Lotz and van Eeenan joined in a passing rush which ended in the last-named going over in the arms of several defenders for a fine try near the goal posts. Brand made no mistake. —28—7.

Hofmeyr increased the quickly mounting total a few minutes later when, receiving, the ball from a loose serum on the twenty-five line, he potted a great g0a1.—32—7. A sweeping forward rush by the Africans was stopped by Taylor, who gathered in the ball brilliantly on his qwn line, and Brand placed the visitors further ahead when he kicked a goal from a penalty 50 yards out. —35—7. Otago were now almost completely outplayed and Babrow missed a pot at goal but Turner shortly afterwards, receiving the ball on the. sideline, ran infield a little and potted a magnificent g0a1.—39—7, Otago took a new lease of life when Murray cut through in a passing rush and then, awarded a penalty for a scrum infringement 30 yards out, Taylor kicked from an angle and narrowly missed. Murray brought off a splendid tackle to upend Turner when all set for a try. Babrow made a dashing run and then, from a penalty near the posts, Brand goaled easily.—42—7,

Turner brushed off tackle after tackle in a run down the line. The ball swung to the other flank and in a brilliant movement van de Vyver, Babrow and Byster handled for the last-named to cut past two defenders for a try. Brand converted and the match ended: South Africa 47 Otago 7 COMMENT BY CAPTAINS DUNEDIN, Bast Night. Praise for the display of Otago in the early stages of the first spell was expressed by Craven, the Springbok skipper. ‘‘ If Otago had finished as strongly as it started, ’ ’ he said, ‘‘ it would have been a very close game. In the first quarter ox an hour the team performed brilliantly, backs and forwards linking up in uncanny manner. ’ ’ ‘‘Though Otago was certainly overwhelmed it played as well as it was allowed to,” commented Simon, the Otago captain. /-The Springboks are a grand side and their combination and understanding is splendid. They were worthy opponents and throughout played in a keen and sporting manner. ’ ’ The attendance was officially estimated at 28,000. The visitors left by train to-night eu route for Napier.