“REAL RUGBY”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6954, 6 July 1929, Page 8 (Supplement)

“REAL RUGBY”

Match Described in Pouring Rain

BROADCAST OF ALL BUCKS

pERCHED under the shelter of an umbrella held over him at the half-way line, the wireless announcer in the All-Blacks-New South Wale 3 Rugby match on the Sydney Cricket Ground achieved a remarkable feat of broadcasting. The rain came down in torrents from the beginning to the end of the game, but the unpleasantness of the elements did uot prevent the announcer from keeping up a thrilling account of a thrilling game, spiced with appropriate touches of humour. Listeners . could hear the rain beating down . on the protecting umbrella, and at times the referee’s shrill whistle came over the ether to add a realistic touch to the game. Throughout, the cheers of the big crowd, rising to a roar of tumultuous applause Avith every swing of the pendulum in a classic battle, Avas plainly heard hundreds of miles away. MUD OBLITERATES NUMBERS The announcer had a difficult job in trying to single -out the players, as within two minutes of the beginning of the game their numbers were obliterated by mud. But despite this he acquitted himself well. On one occasion the microphone was knocked over during a line-out, and at .frequent intervals the announcer had to slvout vociferously at Press photographers who obstructed his view.

On numerous occasions players were blinded with, mud, necessitating the attention of ambulance men before they continued the game.

But in the words of the. announcer, it was “Rugby fast aud hard, as Rugby should he played.” With time running low, the All Blacks were making desperate efforts to force their way over, and playing with the wind behind them were, according to the announcer, unlucky not to get there.