Springboks’ Poor Display At Sydney

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1937, Page 7

Springboks’ Poor Display At Sydney

(Received 10 a.m.) < SYDNEY, June 10. fjn®|E Springboks were beaten by New South Wales by 11 points to . six. ■ ■ ' / ■' ■ ■ v' <■' The match was played on a heavy ground and rain fell throughout. The ground was slush in parts and the players were ankle-deep in mud. There was an attendance of 8000. The Springboks played a man short in the forwards in the second spell, owing to Watt injuring his back. Twenty minutes later, Pester, winger, retired injured, thus necessitating a rearrangement of the Springboks’ rearguard. The teams were as follows: — New South Wales. Full-back, Rankin; three-quarters, Kelaher, Towers, Pauling, O’Brien; five-eighths, Richards; half-back, McShane; forwards, Hodgson, Kelly, Windon, Hutchinson, Ramsay, Cerutti, Stone, Malone. , South Africa. Full-back, Brand; three-quarters. Turner, Bester, Hofmeyer, Broodryk; halves. Van der Vyver, Craven; forwards, M. Louw, Lotz, S. JLouw, Nel, Du Toit, Van der Berg, Watt and Van Reenan. Mr E. V. Mayne was referee. = .

» Disappointing Debut. The field was comparable with that for the deciding test between the Springboks and the All Blacks in 1921. The South Africans’ tactics failed, and it was a disappointing debut for the Springboks. Five tries to one represented the Springboks’ deficit and their strength under the day’s conditions. Scorers for New South Wales were Kelaher two, O’Brien two and Towers. Towers converted one try. For South Africa Hofmeyer scored a try and Brand kicked a penalty goal. At half time, New South Wales had crossed the line three times to lead by 11 points to 6. A minute before the bell for the interval, came the Springboks’ only try. It was really a fluke, due to Hofmeyer, the centre, following up when ! New South Wales endeavoured passirig on its goal-line to relieve; After the game P. J. Nel, the Springboks’ captain, said he desired to make no excuses. New South Wales had played better under the conditions. The Springboks’ faults were fundamental. Their defence was woeful. Even Brand, the full-back, speculated instead of going down on the ball when pressed. Van der Vy.ver, Hofmeyer and Bester were also guilty, but the pack was mostly to blame. N.S.W. Predominant. The famous united heave of the forwards, who were a stone a man heavier, was anticipated. An analysis of each half showed New South Wales predominant. The line-outs favoured New South Wales, who took more advantage of opportunities from loose rucks. The condition of the New South Wales players was not the only factor in the Springboks’ downfall. It was surprising to see the big South African forwards beaten in dribbling, refraining from jumping in the line-out and indulging in round-the-neck tackles on a day when solidity was demanded. M. Louw and S. Louw were the tfest i South African forwards. Lotz was a good all-rounder, apart from being a specialist hooker. Van Reennan was handicapped by the rearrangement, but was not as pacy as anticipated. Watt impressed most in the first spell in the rucks, as well as open play which New South Wales demanded. It is extremely doubtful if Nel will make the best Springbok pack. Triumph For Wallace.

Craven failed in defence. His long passes of the heavy ball enabled Hodgson and Windon, the New South Wales flankmen. to disturb Van der Vyver, and Richards and Pauling often capitalised their chances.

It would not be fair, on the day, to criticise Turner and Broodryk, the wings. They could not be blamed for the debacle. The match was a triumph for the Waratah coach, Wallace, who adopted the principle ‘keep the heavyweights moving.’