NATIONAL PASTIME-—NATIONAL SPIRIT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2434, 28 July 1924, Page 7

NATIONAL PASTIME- —NATIONAL SPIRIT.

FITTING FAREWELL TO ILL BLACKS. CRUSADERS CHEERED TO VICTORY. Miawata-liorowieniia Score four Tries. M The Blacks Win 27-12. Iu the final game of the 1924 All Blacks’ Australasian tour the New Zealanders defeated Mauawatu-Horowhenua by 27 points to 12. The All Blacks scored four goals (one penalty) and three tries. Mauawatu-Horowhenua scored four tries. The margin should have been much smaller because (1) the Greeu-and-whites missed several easy goal shots and (2) New Zealand were awarded a try while the line-umpire’s flag was up and Richardson was undoubtedly off-side when 110 scored. But nobody wanted to see New Zealand beaten and the team got a magnificent reception throughout the match. The Green-and-whitcs fought superbly and trounced the Black forwards, besides dealing effectively with the Dalle>-Badoley-Cooke-Brown combination. Gothard was the best forward on the paddock. The personal honours of the match were shared by the All Blacks’ skipper and McHerron,, a slashing loose forward from Levin, with a couple of tries apiece. Other scorers for New Zealand were:—Stewart, Cooke, Richardson and Robilliard. tries. Richardson converted his own, while Brown turned two tries into goals besides putting a penalty across the bar. Carroll and Law were the other heroes for the Green-and-whites, putting Mauawatu-Horowhenua in the lead- 9-8 at one point of the game. Cooke and Dailey were the best backs on the ground. Law, drawn into the team by the injury of Mullins, played an All-Black game and not even Jack Steel showed to better advantage in the three-quarter line. Richardson and Munro were the outstanding New Zealand forwards, with Cupples “great” on the line-out. Parker had nothing on M’Donald at wing-forward and Carroll was iu the three first combined scruramagers. Brophy was patchy, but did the star turn of the match. Throughout the match there was great enthusiasm. The Blacks were delighted with the wonderfully warm reception they received and there was tumultous cheering as they left the field after Badeley had warmly shaken Harry Jacob’s hand. The All Blacks left for Wellington by the New Plymouth express and leave New Zealand by the “Remuera” at daybreak to-morrow. There will be a fitting farewell at Wellington to-night. . Saturday’s gate was between £1,300 and £1,400 in which case it would appear to be £2OO in excess of the Springboks’ gate on the same ground on August 17th, 1921. The attendance is estimated at 15,000.

THE TEAMS. New Zealand, (AH Black.) Pull-back, (1) G. Nepia, 13.1: threequarters, (2) A. C. C. Robillianl, 11. o; (3) H. W. Brown 11.7, (4) J. Steel 12.7; five-eighths, (6) C. E. O. Badeley (captain) 10.13, (5) A. E. Cooke 9.12; half, (7) W. C. Dailey 10.2; winger, (8) J. 11. Parker 12.7; hookers, (9) H. G. Munro 11.13, (10) B. B. McClcary 13.1; lock, (11) R. R. Masters 14.0: supports, (13) R. P. Stewart 14.0, (13) L. F. Guppies 13.12; back row, (14) J. Richardson 14.5, (15) A. White 12.6. (Stewart came from South Canterbury on the day of the match, and played in place of A. H. West, 13.12, who was on the casually list.) Ma’iawatu-Horowhcnua. (Green and Whte.) Pull-back (1) N. A. Cowie 10.7 (M.); three-quarters, (16) A. Law 12.5 (M„ (3) D. Brophy 10.12 (M.), (4) M. Bailey 13.7 (M.); five-eighths, (6) H. Jacob (captain) 15.7 (H.), (5) P. Tahiwi ll\4 (H.) ; halt, (7) L. 13. G (M.), (10)7( Filrtim; mfw eto Earle 10.12 (M.); winger (8) McDonald 13.6 (M.); hookers (9) A. Carroll 13.5 (M.), (10) K. Hakaraia 12.6 (H.); lock, (11) R. McHcrron 12.11 (H.); supports, (12) H. Sly 13.10 (M.), (13) R. Broughton 13 (H.); back row. (14) K. Gothard 13.0 (M.), (15) R. Moynihan 13.5 (H.). Manawatu had nine representatives in the team and Horowhenua six (18) R. W. McLean 14,7 (H.) came out in place of K. Hakaraia (H.) after the interval. Referee. Mr W. O’Neill (Hastings), of the Hawke’s Bay Referees’ Association. Linesmen, Messrs W. McSweeney and J. Pointon, of the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association. “Vital Statistics.” The two heaviest backs on the field were Jacob and Bailey, the pair not only giving the combined backs a bigger average weight, but also put the whole fifteen four pounds up on the All Blacks’ average. The figures were:— Backs. st. lb. Mar.awatu-Horowhenua 12 2 New Zealand 11 5 Forwards. Manawatu-H'orowhenua .. 13 2 I New Zealand IS j Whole Team. I Manawatu-Horowhenua .. 13 9 ' New Zealand 12 5

Enter The Gladiators. The “home’’ team under big- Harry Jacob was warmly welcomed as the fiftoen-stone-scven Maori skipper led the green-and-whites into the arena. There was a tense moment as tho combineds lined up in front of tho stand for the advent of the New Zealanders. A storm of applause broke out j as C.E. O. Badeley led the national j side into the field and it was several minutes beore it. subsided. Even after the customary greetings had been exchang’d the All Blacks were cheered and cheered again as they faced, in turn, the grandstand and eastern bank (where crowds of school-child-ren were assembled) to "put over” the ever popular haka under the leadership of Nepia, tho idol of the crowd at the Wellington tests. They’re Off Badeley won the toss and defended the southern goal, the arena fairly buzzing as Jacob kicked off against a nice light southerly. Brophy, the Combined hope, appropriately enough, was first to show up and made a nice opening for Law who did well, but was stopped at the 25 flag. Jacob immediately had a shot from a penalty, hut the kick was a poor one, though* sufficient to keep the Blacks on the defensive. A doubtful penalty for off-side followed, and Nepia got touch with a beauty to half-way. Guppies was early prominent in lincout work, and broke away nicely, Stewart supporting him in the first movement. Black's Heeling Weil, It was a pity George Tyler could not have seen the Blacks carry the first two scrums and from the second Badeley opened up a neat attack by cutting Cooke, out and with Brown, had Robilliard well placed when tho Cantcrburian knocked-on a perfect pass from Taranaki’s youthful chamion. N.Z. on the Mark, A penalty well out brought Nepia into action but h c had no luck with a great kick _ The drop-out was charged by McCleary, and Cowio did not have much to spare as Brian followed up his advantage. An awkward situation was relieved by a bad pass of Badelcy’s (following a pass by Parker from the Uneout) and from the succeeding scrum Taliiwi picked the ball up at top, as it came out of the side of the scrum, and bolted. When he was stopped, McCleary set up a counter-attack carried on by Cookc-Brown-Robilllard but the last-named was ruled offside. . Greensl, Greensl, Greens! The Combineds were doing famously their forwards holding the Black vanguard while McDonald and Gothard

oarly paid their respects to Master Cooke. At this stage, the “ManaHoros” began to get a share of the ball and Earle made a nice opening on the blind, but Bailey knocked-on. Badeley relieved the pressure and went through with ball at too until Carroll appeared and took it away, Jacob clinching the deal by getting a huge kick to touch. Nepia repaid this, with interest, at once and the Blacks' whole rearguard handled the ball from the succeeding line-out, but the home tackling was deadly and caused the big crowd ecstacics of delight. Here Hakaraia hopped in, and he was down on to Steel like a shot, but the West Coaster brought the house down with a liny yards line-finder. Cupplcs kept his 6?i feet well on the map and besides coming through he alternated by sending tbc ball back to the flying corps, McDonald nipping one likely effort before Badeley could recover Cupplcs’ transfer. TawUii Sets Sail

A penalty brought on a fresh "bowler," but Steel’s first delivery was a grubber, which Cowie returned but did not find the lino. Badeley made off and when forced to part, Tahiwi went through at top with Cooke’s pass in his possession! The crowd rose to its collective feet and groaned as Steel got him. CaVroll followed cleverly and carried along at a dribble until a compatriot obligingly let the Blacks off by running in front us Alfonso was in the act of steering the ball past Nepia, and thirteen-stone one of Maori boot put the ball out at half-way, to hearty applause. A timely mark by McDonald (playing well) was of great assistance to the Mana-Horo-s when Earle sent a pass to Tawihi instead of using his line-finder. At times the players obviously forgot they were playing the oid rules, and that it was policy to use the line and save the forwards who were shaking things up a treat. Blades Getting All They Wanted. Jacob and Co. were unquestionably shaping well and Brophy raised the provincial hopes by a brilliant intercept from Cooke to Brown, and Steel had all he could do do bustle Bailey out past half-way. Again Brophy had his name on thousand of lips as be picked his way into a gap in the national defence, and a clever short-punt enabled him to catch Steel in possession and lake the ball off him, but he had to concede a scrum a few yards only from the objective. Carroll and Hakaraia hooked the ball and Earle had bad luck in falling to got home as he whipped quickly around the blind side. As he lost the ball, and was overwhelmed by the Black forwards McHerron recovered it and bursting through the ruck, shot over to score the opening try of the match Jacob i missed the goal and the Combine led 3—nil. Blacks’ Write Paid to Account. The next incidents of note were a lino save by Cowie and a pot by Nepia. From the line-out following the drop-out, Dailey got possession and sent Parker bowling along on the grandstand side. The winger’s pass was taken by Robilliard who put in a strong run. Lino-umpire 'McSwccnoy’a flag - went up as th© Cantcrburian put a foot into' touch. Several Greens stopped, but not Robilliard, and as he passed infield Stewart took the ball and grounded it in-goal. The referee's attention was directed to the flag and Mr O’Neill made as though to respond, when he chose between the spirit of the rules and the spirit of the game. He had failed to see the sig - - nal before a try had been awarded to the Timaruvian and had no legal power to alter the decision. It was hard lines for the Greens. Richardson could not goal, and honours were easy, 3 —3_ Spectacular Try By Cooke, Brophy soon showed up with a lucky kick through the Now Zealand defence, and though ho followed well, Nepia saved it, and a hefty kick put his side at ease. From the next scrum, Badeley secured, and Cooke with beautiful anticipation went around him on the blind and passed in turn to Stool. The flier's reverse pass was snapped up by Brown, and when Cooke lined up again for the Hawera man's final transfer, it was all over—bar the shouting that lasted for a full minute. The pretty five-eight ran around behind the posts and Jock Richardson kicked the easiest of goals. New Zealand B—3. Carroll Makes the Tries Two All The Greens put a bit of ginger into things in order to reduce or wipe out the lead. The last effort was a “dcmoraliscr” and another like it may have started a debacle. There was a hot forward, scramble from which Parker, emerged, about half-way, and sent a grubber back to Badeley. Moynihan went for it good and hard, and Carroll called along - as the Shannon man sent out the so.s. Dribbling it along nicely the Black forwards were just closing on him when the ball bounced up into Carroll’s hands and he was over the line in a tick. A great kick by Jacob was cheered, but did not produce extra points, New Zealand S—G. “Combine” Stock at a Premium. The crowd was buzzing as it was realised Jimmy Ryan’s charges wore doing their great mentor credit. law (one might have thought ho had denned a grccn-and-white jersey by mistake!), Broughton and McDonald showed up strongly about here, the blip- Toa winger shining with excellent footwork and using his head well. An advantage was lost by Cowie misfiriding a long kick of Nnp a’s and the decks were glad to sec the half-way flag again. A scrum succeeded the line-out, and Munro and McCF-ary hocked it cleanly, to n.i purpose, as McDonald an I Jacob. like tradesmen, got Dailey and Badeley. The Greens' skipper broke away, removing play to the 35’s. Here Sly had a shot from a penalty, but the kick went a trifle wide. Steel refused the check, and instead of forcing ran out and got a fine kick well into half-way again. Guppies, Richardson and Munro carried on the good work until Carroll relieved, and . New Zealand had to concede a scrum. ’Mana-Horos got it hot, and Earle slipped around the blind side and made a beautiful opening lor Law. When the Ralmcrs-

tonian had drawn the defence, he kicked high to the centre and following fast, blocked Ncpia’s kick which rebounded towards the New Zealand goal. Law went through like a rocket, and getting a, good grip of the ball went over unmolested. The welkin rang with cheers, but Jacob disappointed the crowd with the goal-kick, although it was a beauty. Nevertheless Manawatu-Plowowhenua led, and the Dominion representatives were one down, 9—B_ Tho Blacks were being well grilled, and Earlo-Jacob-Law had the crowd expectant again when Law repassed to the big follow who had the bad luck to get in front with daylight ahead. The Changing Scene. Parker was first to bring sorelyneeded relief to the Blacks, and Cowie was in extremis when Tahiwi came to his assistance. White sent the Blacks up again and when the ball bounded right for him, ho shot it back to Cooke. Brophy anticipated this and carrying out to the letter his coaching instructions got through to the New Z ealand champion quick enough to down him before lie could get Brown and Robilliard away to the open field. The Greens were penalised, and Nepia got in another big line kick, from which Law just saved the day after the ball was thrown in. A pretty bit of passing by Earlo-Tahiwi-Jacob-McDonald ended with a penalty against the winger, the Combine skipper in any cas e making a mistake by passing instead of kicking-, in home territory. Steel’s drop-kick for the goal was very poor. After Badeley and Cowie had exchanged kicks, Dailey got ilia backs away and the whole ! chain had a fly on Robilliard's wing, | the Cantcrburian repassing to Brown to Dailey, who got well grassed. So din Badeley immediately afterwards, but I not before Dailey sized up the situation. The nippy little half pounced on the ball and an extremely complicated and pretty bit of passing Dailey-Robilliard-Munro-Dallcy threatened extreme danger until Law grabbed the half right on the goal-line. White emerged from the resultant scramble and was stunned as he collided with the goal-post in a swoop for the ball In goal. After his recovery. McDonald cleared beautifully from a scrum on Hie line.

Fireworks End in Off-side Try. Cooke picked up in the ruck, and ! the crowd could hardly contain itself as Whilo-Cooko-Badeley-Steel got and gave the subsequent passes, but Stool was jammed and threw a long-pass out to mid-field. Richardson took the ball and crossed before Cowie could grab him. Ho took the kick himself but missed, and the All Blacks led ii— a. Greens Take Charge Again. This put some very evident “new life’’ into the game and the Combines quickly showed Richardson and Co. what they thought of things, by rushing - play to New Zealand’s goallino and Robilliard had to got busy to accept a check before Earle and Bailey made it a check-mate. Even as it was a scrum was ordered for thc-kick-back to New Zealand’s in-goal. A penalty shortly followed and again Mana-Horos lost points by a weak kick. But Now Zealand had another slice of the “lucky”-melon as Carroll quickly followed Moynihan’s kick and it is a question whether he had not beaten Nepia and merely lost the try by a very apparent knock-on in goal. Nepia had made a bad error by speculating and really deserved to lose points for a cardinal Rugby sin—when in danger a full-back’s duty is to go down on the ball. Half-time followed at once with th e score 11 —-9 in Now Zealand's favour—on the score-sheet, but by no manner of means on the play.

SECOND AND FINAL FOUND. NEW ZEALAND ALL THE W AY. ALL BLACKS 1G POINTS TO 3. R. W, McLean (T-Torowhonua) came out instead of Hakaraia (Horowhenua) but While carried on for New Zealand, McCTeary was first to show up, but got smothered and Brown stopped the counter-attack with a neat mark. Gothard charged through, when the kick came to earth and it took a couple of All Blacks to hold him. New Zealand returned to the charge and Cowie was getting another rough spin when Jacob came to the rescue. Greens’ Bold Bid. A magnificent bit of passing by Jacog-Tahlwi-Brophy-Law threatened the Black citadel and Jacob went straight for Nepia when Law (punted The New Zealand custodian won, and he found touch with another of his heart-breakers. Blacks Get To Work. McCTeary look up the running from the lino-out and with Cooke, ran straight to the centre where the Aucklander short’’kicked, but Law was equal to the occasion. Again the Blacks came back to Law's corner, only to be met with the same reception. From a line-out the ball was kicked to the centre and after the forwards had charged down-field, Kudoley dashed through. Ho appeared to knock-on in the act of picking up the the ball, but it was so slight that the movement was not affected. He crossed without opposition, and Brown goalcd easily. New Zealand 1G —5. Cooke got the Blacks out of a difficulty caused by a bad pass of Dailey’s and Cowie was conspicuous for a series of fine line-kicks as the New Zealanders slowly but gradually increased Lie pressure. After Brown had missed a penalty shot with an excellent kick Badeley settled the issue with the easiest of tries. He picked up in th ruck and dashed straight as a die through the whole Greens’ defence and it was not until he was across the line that a hand was even put on him. Brown's kick, though- again good was unsuccessful and New Zealand lea 19 — 9. Greens Hang on lake Grim Death, Manawatu-Horowhenua went at it hard from the drop-out. and Earle started a passing bout at mid-field, in which every man handled tire ball to Law's wing, but Nepia held it up. Jacob-McLean-Gothard, hit the trail

next, and a determined rush was only relieved by ay timely force. Earle-Jacob-Tahlwi were next, but the Otaki player knocked on at a critical moment for the Blacks. The crowd was enjoying the tussle immensely, and exhorting the homesiders to doughty deeds. McDonald and Sly responded, Steel replying with a smart run and when compelled to kick, Cowic got touch with a big kick to the other line. The Green's got their first free-kick here (second spell) and Jacob got touch 50 yards away —a mighty kick. Blacks Start Fireworks Again.

Cowie had to relieve again from the next line-out, and kicked to centrefield where Ncpia electrified the crowd with a run across to the right touch line, and there a line effort Cooke-Steel-Brown was nullified by the centre’s knock-on .Ncpia was cheered for his stunt. Another pretty piece oi work followed when Dalley-Badeley-Steel worked the same wing, but the famous winger knocked-on in a position from which a try was almost certain. A penally awarded New Zedland for playing the ball on the ground was spoilt by somo illcgality dn the placers part (this being Badeley) and Brown lost his kick, the scrum being awarded at the placekick instead of the mark of the infringement. Manawatu carried the scrum and Jacob found the line. A line save by Cowie with the Black vanguard on top of him, was nullified by Jacob being penalised for shepherding him—assistance the Woodvillc man did not at the moment require. Referee O'Neill was missing nothing and ruling with a rod of iron (to say nothing of a voice of thunder). It cost the Greens three points, Brown rinding the uprights with a neat kick. New Zealand 22—9.

Nepia put in another brilliant run and set Steel off again. Brophy brought him down and Badeley knoebed-on the winger's pass, McDonald was responsible for a nice solo when ho short punted to Nepia after a dashing breakaway, but the latter cleared well. Tho next scrum saw Dailey worked the blind sld e and Robllliard enabled Parker t o show his paces; but Cowie saved. Brophy’s Big Stunt.

A sensational bit of work followed as Cooke and Brown set up a dangerous looking- attack. The Greens’ centre uipped in and collared Cooke's pass to the New Zealand boy. Away went Brophy with Tahiwi in attendance, and Badeley on the latter's heels. When Nepia forced Brophy to show his hand the colt elected to pass to Tahiwi when all hands were looking for a. side-step or swerve to the left A perfect pass was beautifully taken by the Otaki man, and hopes ran high for a moment. Badeley was too fast and a splendid tackle, from behind grassed Tahiwi with the line straight ahead. The effort was worthy of a. try, and it is hard to see why it should not really have got it.

Bailey and Law both missed penalty shots, the former's a great kick, file Herr on Scores Again.

j Gothard and “McHerron wore asso- | ciatccl in a solid bit of forward play, and Law followed a high kick as Stool waited, to the surprise of all, for the bounce. For an All Black, he got his desserts as the Manawatu colt was favoured by the turn of events, and running strongly through, ' he passed out over a couple of supports as Mepia came to him, and McHcrron anticipating nicely, went over for a spectacular try. Brophy • could not goat. Mew Zealand 22 —12. Mow Zealand’s Strong Finish. Another great run by Steel had the crowd on its toes and after shaking j Brophy off, Law stopped him, but Stool is a tough propostion, and he rose again with the ball. He was getting up a fresh head of steam when Earle settled the argument by one of the finest tackles of the match. Play was transferred to the opposite wing, and in a little aside Robiliiard got one on to Bailey and set sail with several Greens on his heels. Bailey could not overtake him, and lie crossed with Brown and Richardson in attendance. The Taranaki-ito goale-d and the All Blacks final game had been won by 37—12. The Referee. Mr AY. O’Meill had a hull-dog grip on the game, and undoubtedly had fine control. On the other hand .he would b e a very biassed person who would claim the Greens did not have, the worst of the luck of the refereeing as it went.