THE ALL-BLACKS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 August 1923, Page 4

THE ALL-BLACKS.

VICTORY IN FIRST TEST. !

NEW ZEALAND 19, NEW SOUTH ' WALES 9.

BRIGHT PLAY IN KEEN MATCH.

(BY TELEQEAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, Aug. 25. The first test match between New Zealand and New Seuth Wades was played on the Carisbrook ground to-day : in the presence of over 16,000 spec-: bators, the gate being about £1800. i Bright sunshine prevailed, there being ' e«i absence of wind, but the ground, was a trifle holding owing to recent! ram. There was no alteration, in the: teams. i The All Blacks took the field strong | favourites, their forwards averaging about a stone heavier than the opposing vanguard. Richardson (Southland) captained the All Blacks and Sheehan led the visitors. As the teams lined out the New Zealanders greeted the visitors with a Maori haka, which was responded to in a similar manner by New South Wales. The All Blacks woti the toss and the visitors kicked off with a strong sun in their eyes. The visitors quickly became dangerous, but the New Zealand forwards retaliated with, a great combined, rush'into their opponents' territory, where an infringement by New South Wales saw Sinclair narrowly miss goaling. Snappy passing by the New Zealand backs saw Steel make a strong bid for the line, but he was grassed near the corner flag. From a scrum close to the line Bellis secured and dived over in. a handy position. Sinclair's kick just missed. New Zealand 3, New South Wales 0. New South Wales attacked strongly from the kick-off, but Sinclair marked in face of a strong rush. From a scrum Mill mis-kicked and Snodgrass fumbled and Erasmus was just beaten by Sinclair for the touch down. A. spell of even play followed, until the New Zealand forwards broke away in a strong rush, and Nothling fell on the ball to save. In the melee a penalty was given against New South Wales and Sinclair goaled from, a standing kick. New Zealand 6, New South Wales 0. Mill, Tilyard and Potaka were associated in a passing bout, but Nothling made a clever save. Passing between Mingay and Erasmus saw the latter burst through, but he was collared by Snodgrass and injured, having to retire. Immediately after, from loose play, Sheehan cut in cleverly and passed to Stanley, who gave Smith a clear run in. Nothling failed to goal from a difficult angle. New Zealand 6, New South Wales 3. Loudon cam* on in place of Erasmus. Even play in neutral-territory followed, and then all the New_ South Wales backs took part in a passing rush, but they lost ground thereby and play hung at centre. A.free kick was awarded to New South Wales outside half-way and Nothling's kick fell short. The All Black forwards came back with, a rush, and the .bounce of the ball favouring Peterson the latter secured possession arid made a strong run along the left wing and handed to Snodgrass, who was beautifully tackled by Nothling at the corner flag. Play went to the other side of the field to Smith, wh<* kicked to Steel, who cross-kicked. The ball was secured by Loudon, who beat Snodgrass, but then he was collared from behind and a dangerous situation was saved. A scrum was formed at the All Black twenty-five and Mingay tried to break through on his own, but he was well collared. From the next scrum he passed to George, who also made a solo dash. From the third scrum Bellie dribbled cleverly to centre and the All Blacks gradually took the ball to the New South Wales line, where some exciting play took place. Finally Mill secured and threw a high pass to Tilyard, who took the ball in his stride and scored. Sinclair sroaled New Zealand 11, New South Wales 3 "

The All Blacks kept up tlit> pressure. Off-side play by a New South Wales three-quarter gave Sinclair another opportunity, and the New Zealand fullback goaled with a fine kick from a fairly difficult angle. At this stage bmith retired injured and was replaced by Buntine. Half-time was called with the score:: " New Zealand 14 New South Wales ............ 3 THE SEOONB SPELL. At the stert of the second half fumbling let the All Blacks through, Nothling relieving With a line kick. J Buntine. gained ground for New South j Wales, and from the ruck the ball went out-to George, who sent on to Sheehan, then to Stanley, who kicked to the wing, Loudon securing and' returning to Stanley, who raced round to score under posts. Mingay missed with the kick. New Zealand 14, New South Wales 6.

Soon after passing between Loudon and Sheehan ended in the latter dashins; over. Nothling failed to convert. New Zealand 14, New South Wales 9. The New Zealand forwards pressed j hard, Nothling making a brilliant save. [ New South Wales attacked strongly, the backs playing with great dash A free kick in front of the gonlgave them i a good chance, which Mingav lost. A j lone: kink at goal from Nothling fell a j little short, and then an attempt by j Tilyard to drop a goal was charged down. Tilyard cut in smartly and set , the All Black backs going, play goI ing out in the corner. A pretty mark by Nothling stemmed a great forward , rush by the All'Plp^lcr. "BpTKr," who Trail following up fast; being laid nut while , tackling him, but'he did not retire. A strong forward rush by the All Blacks made an opening for thfir hacks, but, weak passing . frustrated the move.' I St-eel injured his leg and had to retire, j , but returned a few minutes later. A free kick to New Zealand in front of the.posts was resultless. Sinclair missing. Twice the All Black forwards came within an ace- of ■ scoring, and a! free kick by Steel pi*t missed. The. All Blacks kept Tin the pressure for a ? faw minutes, and then New South i Wales broke through. Sinclair failed ; in face of a forward rush and Pnod- ! grass came round and saved. The All Blaok forwards, led by BeUis, returned . to the- attack, and McMeekin got over) in the comer. Sinclair ' convert od i with a great kick. New Zealand 19, I 3Sew South Wales 9. Off-side play by Steel gave^ Nothling a chance, the shot going to the left of the posts. Sinclair created excite-; ment by following up a long kick, and securing he set a passing movement going, a forward pass spoiling the effort. \ Stanley was here temporarily laid out. •The. game concluded with play at halfK&J, the score being : — \ New Zealand w 19 New South Wales 9 Mr. A. Eckhold refereed.