All Blacks Triumph; Convincing Victory; 30 Points to Nine

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1938, Page 5

All Blacks Triumph; Convincing Victory; 30 Points to Nine

BRISBANE, July 31. CREED AND ENTERPRISE OF THE THREEQUARTERS GAVE THE ALL k BLACKS A CONVINCING VICTORY BY 30 POINTS TO NINE OVER QUEENSLAND YESTERDAY. THE ALL BLACKS LED AT HALF-TIME BY 10 POINTS TO SIX. The stars were Taylor and Morrison, who scored 18 points between them. A crowd of 7000 enjoyed the spar kling open play of the visitors. The home team badly lacked inside backs to rival the dash of Saxton and Berghan, and was handicapped by a meagre share of the ball from the scrums and line-outs.

Queenslanders’ Fight. In the first half, the Queenslanders stood up to their task manfully and, except for two quick tries early by the visitors, excelled in cover defending. The forwards, principally Monti and Oxlade, gave no quarter and at half-time were .attacking fiercely. A change came over the play on the resumption, when the All Blacks applied strong pressure, and the back line tore through to register 20 points. The All Blacks’ line was not crossed during this half, Queensland’s only points coming from a penalty goal. The All Blacks’ success was due in the first place to the manner the forwards gained possession from the scrums and lineouts, this allowing the fast-moving threequarters to launch repeated attacks until the home team weakened. A Combined Unit. Lambourn repeatedly outhooked Bonis. It is hard to individualise among the All, Black , pack, as it worked as a combined unit. , Dalton was prominent in the loose, but the same might be said of Quaid and Milliken. Good following up by McKenzie earned him ,a well-merited try. He was the only forward to score.

The full-back, Taylor, was outstanding. He kicked well, and his judgment in line-kicking constantly turned attacks into defence. He kicked two splendid goals from the side-line and one easy goal from ,a penalty. Apart from Taylor, none impressed more than Morrison. Taking iqjto consideration his limited opportunities as a winger, he frequently dashed .across the field to make an extra man in back movements. His try was the result of an interprising run, which placed him in a position to accept a pass inside Berghan and to take the defenders unprepared. The same player showed positional ability to gather from Saxton and drop-kick a field goal. Dive Passes Thrill Crowd.

The crowd was thrilled by the dive passes of Saxton from the scrum base. These placed the threequarters on the move before the opposing roving forwards could use “spotting” tactics. He proved himself a quick thinker, and his try was a gem. With play near the Queensland, line, Walker fumbled, and before he could recover the ball Saxton had snapped it up .and dived over.

Berghan and Sullivan displayed perfect understanding. When one broke through, the other was handy to take a pass. The players were introduced to the Premier, Mr Forgan Smith, before the match. The scoring opened within 10 minutes, the fast football of the All Blacks harassing the home side; which was unable to cope with the back attacks that gave Wright a try in the corner. Taylor converted with a splendid kick.

Queensland Saved.

-Walker saved Queensland by finding the line well down field, and in the All Blacks’ territory for the first time. Queensland was presented with three. points by a penalty in an easy position, which Hayes turned to advantage. Saxton scored his brilliant try shortly afterwards, taking the ball off Walker’s fingertips. Again Taylor converted.

Queensland got its first try when the forwards broke away and the ball went to Lewis, who sent a high pass to Bonis to Cross. Early in the second half, the All Blacks stormed the Queensland line, and Morrison made a field goal look easy. Berghan cut inside, and transferred to Mitchell, who could have scored himself, but gave the ball to McKenzie, who ran over unopposed. Hayes gave Queensland three points with a penalty, but the All Blacks went further ahead and also landed a penalty. Morrison came across from his wing position to take a pass inside Berghan, and score a try.

Beaten But Not Routed.

Later Sullivan ran threequarters of the field along the sideline, evading Howard and Walker, to ground the ball near the corner flag. Taylor made his fourth conversion.

Although well beaten, the Queenslanders were not routed, and near time were attacking strongly.