SLUGGISH GAME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 23 August 1928, Page 7

SLUGGISH GAME

POOR RUGBY EXHIBITION,

NO STING IN ALL BLACKS’ PLAY.

WIN AGAINST WEAK TEAM.,

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Special to Press Association.) Received August 23, 9.45 a.m. OUDTSHOORN, Aug. 22.

A poor exhibition of Rugby was given by the All Blacks when they beat the South Western Provinces by two tries and two penalty goals (12 points) to one try and one penalty goal (six points). There was an attendance of three thousand, it being a beautiful day, but the ground consisted of parched grass. Tho All Blacks’ team was as follows: Full-back.—Lindsay. Three-quarters.—C. Ruslibrook, S. Carleton, F. Lucas. Five-eighths.—M. Nicliolls, N. McGregor. Half-back.—W. Strang. Front row.—S. Scrimshaw (loose head), J. Burrows and S. Hadley. Supports.—R. Stewart, I. Harvey, R. McWilliams.

Back row.—P. Ward, E. Snow,

Tho 'Western Provinces started off with a rush and carried the ball to the New Zealand line, where by great defensive work Carleton saved a likely try. The first time the All Blacks’ backs opened out Ruslibrook beat his man and put in a fine run down the side lino until tackled by the fullback. FORWARDS ASSERT THEMSELVES.

Then the All- Blacks forwards asserted themselves and made things warm for their opponents with repeated efforts to get across the line. New Zealand was heeling the ball frequently from tho scrum and at this stage tho backs and forwards were combining in telling passing movements.

From a penalty to New Zealand Lindsay kicked a goal. All Blacks 3 Western Provinces 0 The New Zealand backs continued to get most of the ball, but 1 the Western Provinces moved quickly and smashed the attacks. Through a clever opening by McGregor, the All Blacks went away in a pretty movement, which ended on the goal line with an obstruction by a local man. For this a penalty was given, Nicliolls turning it to account.

All Blacks 6 Western Provinces 0 There were only fragments of football thereafter until half-time.

The Aii Blacks played eight backs in the second spell, Scrimshaw going out to the wing and Lucas playing as an extra centre.

Nicliolls started by making a fine opening, from which Stewart scored after seven New Zealanders had handled tho ball. Strang’s kick missed. All Blacks 9 Western Provinces 0 HOME SIDE SCORE.

An attack by the Western forwards and a counter drive by the New Zealanders followed.

Then came some fine work by Albertyn, which ended in Myburgh being pushed out near the twenty-live line. A penalty for lifting in the scrum was awarded to the Western Provinces and Smuts kicked a good goal. All Blacks :... 9 Western Provinces 3 BLACKS BEATEN IN SCRUMS. Tho local side began beating the All Blacks for the ball from tlio scrums and a great rally by their forwards carried play to the All Blacks’ line, where they were forced twice in succession.

The New Zealanders then got to work and threw the ball about in a care-froe movement, which saw Lucas tackled within a yard of the line. A spell of distractingly poor football followed, but McGregor produced a gem when ho cut in, dummied and side-stepped His way through, only sound tackling saving a score on this occasion.

Strang next sent his backs away and the bail went to McGregor, to Nicholls, to Lucas, but the latter missed his pass. Scrimshaw, however, picked up ancl more passing by Nicholls, Strang and McGregor sent the latter, over for a fine try. Lindsay missed the kick. All Blacks 12 Western Provinces 3

Within a minute of the final whistle, Badenhorst scored for the Western Provinces in the corner from a loose-rush, the game ending:—

All Blacks 12 Western Provinces 6 McGREGOR AND HAItYEY PLAY

WELL

Taken all through the gams was a sluggish one, probably the worst display the New Zealanders have given on the trip. McGregor and Harvey, who had been out for so long, put up good performances.

Nicholls, Strang, Carleton and Lucas played reasonably well, while Rushbrook and Scrimshaw made occasional good breaks.

LINDSAY HURT

Lindsay had a shoulder hurt in the first spell and this plainly alfected his play. Ward, Hadley, McWilliams and Snow were good in patches. There was no spark in the New Zealanders’ playj_ but at the same time tlio Western Provinces’ fight must not bo disparaged, considering that they are regarded as the weakest team in the union.

STORIES OF DISSENSION,

NICHOLLS IGNORED,

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, Aug. 22

“The tour of the Ail Blacks in South Africa threatens to be the-biggest comedy—or tragedy—that the Rugby world has ever known,” states an exAucklander and former keen follower of Rugby football : in New Zealand, writing to a friend in Auckland from Johannesburg on the eve of the second Test match. The ex-Aucklander, who writes in a kindly yet most candid way, says that Rugby followers in New Zealand have probably been surprised by the strange reversals of form shown by the Ail Blacks and he thinks that when the full and true inside story is told on the return of the team the people of New Zealand will get a decided shock. He adds that he lias been in close touch with the members of the team and he considers that Maurice Brownlie has not been a success as captain. Some of the members of the team (he alleges) have not been on speaking terms with him for some time and that feeling is mutually reciprocated by their captain. The writer says that the methods of selecting the All Blacks have been amazing. The selection committee consists of Messrs Homig,

Nicholls, McGregor, Stewart and Brownlie. The man who knows the most about the strategy of Rugby is Mark Nicholls, but he has consistently been ignored. They have never accepted his views and there seems to be a conspiracy to keep him out of the team.

Proceeding, the writer says that the All Blacks admit that from the playing viewpoint they have been “up against it” by reason of the fact that the South African forwards are superior in the scrummages. The loss of Kilby through injury has been severely felt as he was playing in great form. In conclusion, the writer says that some of the members of the team have got disheartened through the dissension in the team and there will be some plain speaking when they get back to New Zealand.

AUCKLAND ’VARSITY TEAM. SUVA, Aug. 22. The Auckland ’Varsity Rugby team defeated Fiji’s second fifteen by 11 points to 10.