THE ALL BLACKS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1929, Page 6

THE ALL BLACKS

THIRD TEST. WON BY AUSTRALIA. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, July 28. The final of the Rugby test series between New Zealand and Australia was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and provided an epic struggle, xsew Zealand’s unique position of fighting to win a single test, as against Australia’s ambition to secure unprecedented victory in all three, produced an unusual tenseness in the players of both sides who, were specially primed for the event. The weather was perfect, being sunny and without wind while the ground was hard in the central area. A section of Boy Scouts (the guests of the Rugby Union) gave a war cry prior to the big match. The attendance reached twenty-nine thousand. Carleton replaced Oliver in the New Zealand team, the latter being unable to pay owing to a facial injury suffered in Queensland, and at the last moment Leys replaced Dailey. Following the kick-off from the south - end of the ground, the' Australians commenced a loose dribbling attack, but the pressure was relieved by a penalty kick to the centre. Then by good combined play New Zealand invaded the greens territory, where Australia replied by carrying the game to mid-field, but the All Blacks again pressed and from a penalty Ljlburne missed the goal narrowly. Leys and the gaol narrowly. Levs and StringStringfellow essayed to drop goals but the attempts were unsuccessful. Continuing the pressure New Zealand worked up close to the right hand side eorner of the Australian goal line. There Cotterell swiftly passed infield to McWilliams, who scored within eight minutes of the start. Lilburne failed to goal. New Zealand 3*; Australia 0. The All Blacks were now showing sparkling form, and four minutes later an Australian pass was intercepted beautifully by Stringfellow, who ran clean through, scoring under the posts. Lilburn converted.

New Zealand 8; Australia 0. Australia stung by New Zealand’s unexpected brilliancy on attack, replied with some fine concerted play headed by J. Ford, and were placed in a good position by a fine centreing kick by McGhie. They worked down field to the New Zealand twenty-five, where the All Blacks were'penalised, and Lawton kicked a splendid goal, which was hailed with enthusiasm by the large crowd. New Zealand 8; Australia 3. Play then waged hot and strong in the centre of the field, both sides putting on pressure. Lawton was conspicuous in a fine attacking movement which, however, was spoiled by bad handling by Findlay. Australia was frequently penalised, mostly for offside play. After thirty minutes of give and take from another penalty well infield, Lawton registered his second goal. New Zealand 8; Australia 6. New Zealand responded, immediately with a good rucking movement, and .vhen near the posts Lilburne gained possession to make a magnificent, long accurate transfer out-field to Stringfellow, the'ball going to Carlton, then .o (ironside who dived across at the corner. Lilburne with a superb effort go a led. New Zealand 13, Australia 6. Following tremendously hot Australian rally over the New Zealand .ine, Tuck forced. Great excitement prevailed just before half ’time, when I’owers infield dropped a penalty gaol, and the spell ended with New Zealand leading by 13 to 9.

After the interval following Porter’s kick off, play became very fast, hut was somewhat ragged. It hovered in the centre of the field for a time, hut gradually began to verge towards New Zealand’s end, and the All Blacks marked three times in quick succession to relieve the pressure. The next feature of the game was a beautifully engineered rear-guard movement by Australia, all the hacks handling the hall till the effort was nullified by a mulled pass. The All Blacs immediately responded with a good combined rush, and from thirty yards out Lilburne narrowly missed a goal from a penalty. A leg injury to McWilliams suspended activities momentarily, and the crowd became somewhat impatient, but on resuming paly became exhilarating, and the finest movement of the day was staged. Towers made a brilliant dodgy run, and his pass sent the hall through eight pairs of hands to J. Ford, who forced his way over at the corner flag, amidst tremendous applause. Lawton failed to goal, but it was a close shave. New Zealand 13,; Australia. 12. Both teams were njow thoroughly on their mettle. The Australians territorially, had much the advantage for a time hut the All Blacks got relief, and invaded the green’s quarters, where Lilburne attempted unsuccessfully to goal from a penalty. Australia then made a marvellous sortie. King in midfield gathered well, and ran all his supports into position. After many exchanges King again secured possession to score at tho corner. Lawson’s attempt t° add tho major points missed narrow* I*.

... : Australia 15, New Zealand 13. The. crowd applauded continuously as Australia gained a two points lead. Porter secured from a kickoff and the All Blacks commenced a lively attack only to be driven back momentarily. However, by a long kick the All Blacks were again alble to assume the offensive, and for somie time penned the greens within their own twenty-five. New Zealand s movements lacked finish, and their various dashes ended fruitlessly against the Australian’s solid defence. Play increased in intensity and the final stage saw Australia making tremendous efforts to further add to their lead. E. Ford and Malcolm almost scored, hut when time was called no'change had been registered, and Australia had done the hat trick in the tests. Final score:— Australia 15. New Zealand 13. On the day the hotter team won although the final issue hung closely in the balance. It took thirty-five minutes of the second half to give the greens their coveted lead. New Zealand show.qd some improved form and enterprise in the first spell, which, greatly upset Australian cohesion This however, was not sustained in the second half, and the Australian back division worked in more systematic manner, finally enabling them to snatcli victory. Now Zealand lost the match for want of reliable place kicking as numerous opportunities were offered within good striking distance. A much greater number of penalties was recorded against Australia in the first spell than against their opponents, analysis showing Australia had been penalised thirteen times against New Zealand’s seven. The greens gained the majority of possession from the serums. Malcolm, at scrum half, played magnificiently, feeding liis outside backs liberally. King and Lawton were both superb in attack Porter was at his ibest, his example and leadership were invaluable to New Zealand and the All Black forwards to a man worked hard, although raggedly, lint finesse was lacking in the back movements. Tuck at full back was not reliable, and Hook was somewhat weak. The general standard of play was excellent, especially in the later stages, the pace actually increasing as the gamie, went on and presenting the spectators with a fast open spectacular display. Two Australian efforts leading to scores were probably the finest evolutions made in the whole series of the tests, and aroused tremendous and almost continuous'cheering. The spirit throughout was excellent, as was the referee’s control of the game. Stringfellow, Grenside ail’d Lilburne. were the best of the New Zealand backs, whilst Sontagg, McWilliams, and Snow!were most prominent in the -forwards} Kivell, Reid, Cotterell and Rika all ably contributing. Leys was not. a strong connecting link.