ALL BLACKS BEATEN BY ONE POINT IN FIRST TEST

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6955, 8 July 1929, Page 7

ALL BLACKS BEATEN BY ONE POINT IN FIRST TEST

Exciting Bat Indifferent Display of Rugby

Huge Crowd Thrilled by Close Finish According to the critics the 1929 All Blacks are decidedly inferior to their predecessors, and they were beaten on their merits on Saturday by the Australian combination in the first test by 9 points to 8. The game, though an indifferent exposition of Rugby, was full of thrills, and the closeness of the scoring kept the huge crowd in a fever of excitement right up to the last minute. Nepia, whose kicking was responsible for five of New Zealand’s eight points, had to retire at half-time on account of his injured back.

40,000 Witness Exciting Game LAWTON HERO OF DAY NEPIA GOES OFF AT HALF TIME.

United Press Association—By Electrii . Telegraph—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. SYDNEY, July 7. For the first test Rugby match there ■was superb weather. Only a moderate south-west breeze was blowing. The attendance was 40,000. A splendid inter-eolle£iate curtain-raiser whotted the crowd’s appetite for the big game.

- The Governor and suite were present and both teams received ovations.

Tho All Blacks won the toss and Lawton kicked off against tho wind. A smart interception enabled Tuck to break right through supported by Lilburne'aud Oliver, but finally tho ball was lost almost under tho posts. Ross forced. First Blood to Greens. Play immediately sharpened up, Australia pr-eesing, and from a penalty thirty-five yards out Lawton goaled beautifully. The All Blacks responded with a great forward rush when a penalty was awarded, but Nepia missed the goal. Another Australian passing movement was started by Towers, King and Ford, but was checked, the All Blacks responding quickly with a thrilling back movement by Tuck, Oliver, Lidburne, Carleton and Waterman, whs was pushed, out close up. Tho Black forwards wore playing exceptionally hard and play was carried into Australian territory. Nepia’s Great Kick. From a ponalty in deep field Nepia kicked a great goal. Continuing their presspro the central Black backs smartly broke through down the centre of the field, interchanging the ball until finally Oliver dived through near tho posts, being badly shaken owing to contact with the ground. Nepia converted. (■•New Zealand ........ S ; Australia 3 Both sides were now playing the open game in fast, spectacular fashion. From a penalty well out in front Lawton kicked a goal in magnificent fashion. New Zealand 8 Australia <1 After 30 minutes play the Greens were again attacking impressively. Geddes, Waterman and Nepia driving them back by fine defensive work and. well-judged kicking, thus relieving the pressure. Towers was disabled and retired. •> Lawton Kicks a Foster.

New Zealand was at this stage penalised and Lawton kicked the ball which hit the post rebounding into the field. In continuance of the attack Lawton almost repeated his goal-kick-ing performance. The AH Blacks were next awarded a penalty but Nepia missed a long range kick. Towers was replaced by Thorpe. Just previously Ford (wing) badly dropped two passes. The defence was practically beaten when Tuck effected a great save by a brilliant mark off the toes of his opponents in ft terrific forward dribbling rush. The half time scores were How Zea- ’ land 8, Australia 6. Play up to this point had been very ) even, both sides alternately attacking ' in the most approved fashion to the i crowds delight who were enthusiastic* > ally cheering quite impartially. Lawton gave a most outstanding display j on the Australian side, attacking with . great dash and vigour. ! • Nepia Goes Off. j Upon resumption of play String- ! fellow replaced Nepia whose back had become troublesome as a result of the 1 last game. Play opened auspiciously for • New Zealand. Beside by a long pass almost put Geddes over, but the Greens- rallied magnificently and with tremendous dash the bulky Ford, Findlay, Cerutti and Brockonridgo became extremely

dangerous. Geddes saved by forcing. Piay went to midfield and then raged ' at ft tremendously fast pace between

the opposing packs. Lawton gained a great stretch by effective line kicking. A penalty was awarded the Blacks but XJlburne missed ft goal narrowly*

Tuck provided a sensation by a forty yards run from the scrum, but the ball was forced out at tho corner by Ross. Oliver was the next to become prominent with a dodging run, but Ross was equal to the occasion. Hitherto the Greens had shown the most cohesive back work from both tho scrums and lineouts. The Blacks’ back play was lacking in sting. Greens Take the Lead.

Then came the most sensational Australian movement of the day. In New Zealand’s twenty-fivo Malcolm set the whole Australian rearguard on a great lateral passing rush. All the backs handled the ball and finally Gordon dashed over at the corner amidst tumultuous cheering. wih»missed his kick at goal narrowly. Half an hour had passed and the Greens continued their brilliant attacks. Play was territorially in New Zealand’s quarters, and the desperate and effective defence alone saved the Blacks, Stringfellow answering all requirements. Fierce But Futile Black Attack.

Well roused now tho Blacks commenced a fierce onslaught, on the Greens’ quarters, play waxing in intensity. A brief bout of passing almost put Waterman over. The final stages of the game were mostly in Greens’ favour, the Black backs adopting safe tactics. The general standard was bettor than the first spell. The final scores were: — Australia .. 9 New Zealand 8 The crowd made a great dcmonstra-i tion, being elated at the result. Ragged Black Backs. Better displays have been given by All Black teams. The general, work to-day was ragged, especially in the back division which lacked in confidence and initiative. The forwards displayed laxity in scrummaging which was uneven with slew heeling out. Their solidity and application of weight was not sufficient to counter the opposing eight. The game was won on its merits, Australia shewing superior cohesion all round and her men were more successful in hooking. About 65 per cent of the game was open and spectacular and was of an exciting order. It was somewhat wanting in regular scientific methods with an abnormal amount of high tackling and ill-judged passing by both sides. Although numerous injuries occurred the game was never rough and was contested in the fine&t spirit.

The four Queenslanders on tho winning side fully .justified their inclusion. For Australia Gordon scored ono try and Lawton kicked .two penalty goals. For New Zealand Oliver scored ono try which Nepia converted and the latter also kicked a.penalty goal.

N.S.W. v: New Zealand. Tho New South Wale® team against New Zealand next Wednesday will be Ross, E. Ford,, Towers, King, Gordon, Bartley, Laqiport, , Breckenridge, J. Ford,. Palfreyman, , Finlay, Telford, Judd, Ferguson, Eiqeraon. Press Opinion.

The 1 ‘Sunday Times" says all tho representative Rugby code games this season seem to lack the brilliance of other years. This is probably duo to over anxiousness. Yesterday's New Zealand-Australian game was in that category. The first half was remarkable for the number of passes dropped on either side. Not once did the ball reach the New Zealand wing threequarter cleanly after going among the inside backs. This was quite unlike New Zealand football. Candidly the New Zealand team docs not compare at all favourably with those of former years. Tho forwards do not have the physique nor is there tho nippiness among tho backs so characteristic of bygone days. Lawton and King were the best of the Australian backs. Boss, J. Ford, Thompson, Brackenridge and Bonis were others Who figured prominetly. McWilliams and Snow were New Zealand’s best forwards, but tho only back who was up to considered standard was Oliver.

Tho Telegraph Pictorial comments that unfortunately too many mistakes were made at critical moments and these spoilt what otherwise would have been a magnificent game, but there were some delightful movements revealing the splendid stamina of the men and the closeness of scoring furnished all the thrills expectable. It was a first-class match. Many present agreed that Lawton was the greatest five-eighth ever seen here. Beside and Bika were always in the thick of tho light, while Lilbnrne and Oliver were a constant source of great worry to the Greens. The Sunday News says it was a stirring encounter with thrill upon,thrill. In°the second half the New Zealand forwards, ware adepts at screwing the

scrums. It was unfortunate that Nopin was out of action in tho second spell. MANAGER McLEOD OPTIMISTIC Received Sunday 11.55 p.m. SYDNEY, July 7. * Manager McLeod, interviewed tonight, said: "The best team on the day won. We made more mistakes than the other side, but had we a good leader in the last five minutes to steady the backs, wo probably would have pulled the game out of the fire. Anyhow, we think we have seen tho Australians at their best, but they not seen us at our best.” Mr McLeod added that Porter was practically well and will be playing in a few days, possibly Wednesday. Nepia's back is very sore in the samo old spot, but he hopes soon to be in the picture again. Otherwise the team is very well indeed and all are being treated most hospitably. They • havo not a single complaint against anybody.

Harry Lauder, the famous comedian, is a great smoker. His pipe is his constant companion in all his travels. A right good companion, tool ■lt heightens enjoyment when things aro going well, cheer’s and solaces when the clouds gather. The man who doesn’t smoko doesn’t know what he is missing. He will tell you that tobacco is injurious—so it is—sometimes. The imported tobaccos (many of them full of nicotine) cannot bo smoked habitually with safety. But the National Tobacco Company ’s brands—grown and manufactured in New Zealand—with hardly any nicotine in them—are not only safo smoking, no matter hojw' freely you indulge, but are the most fragrant and delicious on the market. They owe their fine quality and freedom from nicotine to the toasting of the leaf, in which respect they differ from all other tobaccos. The National Tobacco Company are the pioneers of the N.Z. Tobacco industry in New Zealand. Popular brands: “Riverhead Gold" (a mild aromatic); "Cavendish" (a delightful medium); "Navy Cut" (a choice blend), and "Cut Plug No. 10" (Bullshead), (rich, dark and full-flavoured),*