THE ALL BLACKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 9

THE ALL BLACKS.

EAiEERSTON tiiOETE MATCH COMBINED TEAM DEFEATED. TWENTY-SEVEN TO TJC'ELVE. PLAY NOT OF HIGH STANDARD. [BY TELEGEAPH. SPECIAL REFOSTEU. ] PALMEKSTON NORTH. Sunday. The display given by the All Blacks against the combined Manawatu-Horo-whenna team at Palmerston North yesterday did not stamp them, as a great combination as yet, hat by iiiefeating tho home side by 27 points to 12 tho New Zealand representatives to a certain extent removed tho impression created by their defeat in Auckland. However, it must be remembered that only three of tho backs and five of tho forwards included in yesterday's team played against Auckland. An attendance of about 16,000 spectators indicated the kesn interest taken in tho All Blacks' final match. Conditions •were almost ideal. It was a groat day for Palmerston North. From the spectacular point cif view tho game .was somewhat disappointing, and a higher standard of play has been witnessed in many representative matches. The Dominion team has evidently not yet acquired that combination essential for high-class Rugby. The fact' that several members est the team had not previously played together no doubt militated against accurate, concerted movements, but the main factor •was the spoiling tactics adopted by tho combined fifteen. Their forwards were particularly effective, 1 -while the backs combined well in smothering movements by the All Black backs. .} Effective Spoiling Tactics. Tho home team was not regarded as a particularly strong combination, but in the first half of ihe game it held its own, there being littlo to choose between tho tMmy The Combined forwards were a match for the All Black vanguard in the scrums and line-outs. i#nd frequently broke through in the loose. Their backs, though able to prevent tho opposing reaxguard getting properly into action in the first spell, were often unable to push home the advantage gained by their forwards, and thu3 lost several good opportunities. Though they were only two points ahead at half time the All Blacks outplayed the opposition in the second spell, the superiority of their backs quickly enabling them to establish & commandisg lead. Once tho All Black, backs settled down they outclassed the home rearguard on attack. The defence of the New Zealand backs in the first half left much to tie desired. Forward P&y characterised the opening stages of the gamo, which was fast but not very attempts by the All Black backs to get going being nullified •by fatuity handling and flisfe tackling. Both side;} in turn were called on to defend their line. Following a hard forward rush the All Blacks started a handling boufc, but the movement was smothered and the Combined forwards broke through, caught the New Zealand backs out of position, and, after a hard tussle on the line, McHerron dived over the Combined team's first try. ' Jacob iailed to ponvert. The All Blacks evened the score shortly afterwards. Dalley started a handling bout from the loose. Hobilliard apparently iput iliis ifoot over the side 'linS~ when in possession of the ball, but sent it cn to Stewart, who touched down and the try was allowed. Richardson failed with tfie kick All Blacks Score Again. Then Dalley initiated another success- ' fol movement from b. line-out. The ball ■went out tc« Steel, who put in a great run before being tackled. Cooke carried on and scored behind the postsi, Richardson converting, A misunderstanding betVeen two of the All Black back:! gave the Combined team their next try, the forwards sweeping through to 'tho lino, where Carroll picked up and scored an unconverted try. Good play by the opposing forwards tested the All Black defence but Nepia saved, and from a line-out Richardson broke siway, supported by Cupples, piny being taken right to the Combined line. The defence stood the strain' and smart work by Law put his side one point ahead almost immediately afterward. Securing the ball from a scrum he kicked well down the field, followed up fast, and charged down Nepia's kick. Then be gathered up tho ball and touched clown, Jacob's kick failing. Dalley and Muuro were associated in ■a, : smart passing . bout, but a golden chance was lost through the former's pasS going astray when he was in a position to score himself. The (Combined for wards cleared, but another fine handling bout by thei All Blacks was capped by *!ichardscn notching an unconverted try, and half-time came with the scores:— ■ All Blacks' ..: .V . . 11 ! Manawatu-Horowhenua 9 I Scores ia the Second Spell. A loose forward; rush by ihe Combined Taijguard had the AH < Blacks in trouble * shortly after play was resumed, but Cooke clanged the situation by tricky work anc put his jside on attack. Badeley snapped up the bill in tlae loose end shot over the line nes.r the pojvts for Brown to converjU' .Badieley repeated the performance : a little later, going right through from the-twenty-five with a characteristic run that caused great- excitement. Brown failed to convert. The All Blacks were continually on the attack, the backs opening up the play welL Dalley r&Jide a number of good openings and Steel kept the defence busy, but he could hoi get through. Brown raised the All Blacks' soore to 22 with a peiialty goal. The All Elack backs brighteneS up the game with a. smart handling bout, the ball being sent out crisply to Steel, who raced down the sideline but 'was stopped by Earle. Brophy si»cured the ball and set out for the line. Though we!l tackled by Nepia he sent the the ball on to Tahiwi. and a try was imminent but Badeley overtook Tahiwi near the goal and momentarily saved the situ- ? ation. However, the Combined team was soon back again in a hct attack. A faulty clearing kick by Brown gave Law possession, and he sent the ball on to McHerron, who scored an unc6nverted try. Robilliard registered the All Blacks* final try in great style. He got possession near the twenty-five and after a fine run got over just as hs was tackled by Law, who came across fast from tho other side. Brown's kick was successful, this being his third goal during the match. The game ended with the scores:

All Blacks . . .. ..27 ; Manawatu-Horowhenua' .. 12

S"orm of the Back Division. The All Black backs vi'are certainly more impressive yesterday than in their match last Wednesday, but it was bright individual efforts rather than good combination that accounted for the margin between the teams. The forwards were little better than the Manawatu-Horowhe-nua vanguard, but showed more cleverness and made better openings for their backs. The All Black pack was inclined to play too loose, and the opposing forwards frequently broke right through. The line-out work was not of a very high standard. The value of the Brownlie brothers in this department wa3 emphasised by their absence. Though the game "was not as attractive as might be expected under the conditions there were many exciting incidents. On attack the All Black backs outclassed their opponents in the second spell ana showed that with improved combination they could confidently be expected to a good display, but their defence generally was below standard. ; Dalloy made a favourable impression as halfback, and did a lot of good work. His passing v?&s not all that could be deared, but ho varied the attack

well. With experience and better knowledge of the other backs, he should work in wall, but as y„et there is apparently liofc the best understanding among the inside backs. Whatever may be his faults, however, Dalley shows plenty of gameness. Cooke's appearance was keenly awaited, and though ne was well marked he was constantly in the limelight, being responsible for some clever play. He has the bappv knack of being always handy. Steel, who was playing his first game in the team, was also well marked and did not get the best of. opportunities. He showed all his old p«fco and determination and was; very hard to stop. Some of his work wag first-class.

Hobilliard, on the other wing, atoned for. any mistakes by scoring a great try. He got the bail outside the twenty-five, beat several opponents, outpaced the others and touched down just when tackled by Law. Badeley showed return to old form a,t times, his second try being brilliant. He .snapped up tho ball in tho loose, threaded his way through the opposition with a tricky run and scored near the posts, Nepia was not impressive, for though he snvea well at times, his play was patchy. He was inclined to wait for the ball to bounce when he should have taken it on tho full, and still hiis a weakness for speculating. His kicking was good and he opened up the attack well on several occasions, but on the day could not be termed reliable.

Brown, at centre-threequarter, did not show up as well as in Auckland. He has determination but did not display much cleverness on attack. The best of the backs viere Dalley, Cooke, Badeley, and Steel. Good Individual Forward Play. The forwards as a whole did not greatly improve their reputation, but, there was some fine work by individuals. Richardson was always prominent, and Muuro played an excellent game. These two, with Stewart and Cupples, were the best of the pack. Parker played a much better game than in. Auckland, handling well and using his pace and weight to advantage. The Manawatu-Horowhenua back division did not show to advantage in concerted attacking movements and were not frequently • seen in handling bopts, but they proved a tough proposition for the All Blacks to break through iu the first spell. Law, wing-threeqiiarter, was one of the outstanding individual players. He has gyeafc pace, and did fine work at times, his try being a good piece of play. JBrophy played a sound game at centre, his tackling being very solid. The halfback, Earls, au old Auckland player, acquitted himself creditably. Jacob, at five-eighths, was generally prominent and was a thorn in the side of the All Blacks, both ori attack and defence. Tahiwi, the other five-eighths, was frequently dangerous, and was responsible for some tricky play. The forwards all worked solidly, especially in the first speJl. Carroll, McHerron and Broughton were the best of the pack, being always in the van. The goal-kicking during the match was nob very successful, both sides having a, good number of fruitless shots. Brown was the most successful kicker, securing three goals. A fairly strong wind made goal-kicking somewhat difficult, but ev.en allowing for this the standard was not high. t .: ->

TEAM PROCEEDS TO WELLINGTON,

SAILS FOR ENGLAND TO-MORROW.

Immediately after the match at Palmerston North on Saturday the AH Blacks proceeded to Wellington by the express.' The' whole team assembles in Wellington to-day, and sails for England by the Remuera tomorrow.

CHANCE FOE D. WRIGHT.

MATTER BEFORE SELECTORS. [Br T2CLEGF.AFH.—SPECIAL SEFOF.TEB.I WELLINGTON. Sunday. The inclusion of Don Wright, tlie Auckland halfback, in the All Black team has become a real issue here. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met last evening, and it is understood this question was the sole business before the mooting. In a telegram despatched from Auckland to the union, subsequent to the team's defeat, Mr. E. A. Little, as manager of the team that toured Australia, suggested the inclusion of another back. Although no official statement on the position-was forthcoming until late to-night, it was known that the matter was being gravely discussed by Rugby authorities, and that the message received had been transmitted to each of the seven selectors.

The chairman of the Management Committee, Mr. S. S. Dean, 11 made the following statement last night: " A communication has been received from Mr. Little, as manager of the team on its Australian tour, suggesting the inclusion of an extra player. This has been sent on to the selection committee, and will be further considered at the meeting of the Management. Committee, to be held to-morrow." The chairman of tha Auckland Rugby Union, Mr. 1L Frost, is in Wellington in connection with the matter. He is not at present in a position to make a statement. Interesting developments are expected by competent authorities. On the same question, the Christchurch Sun said o:a Saturday: "So far D. Wright, the Auckland halfback, has not been included in the All Black side, although there is a big possibility of this being_ done." Unofnpial reports were in Wellington yesterday that the appointment actually had been made. The situation is that the seven New Zealand selectors have been communicated with, pointout that the form of J. Mill had been somewhat disappointing, and suggesting that, Wright might be a good addition to the side. If the selectors recommend the addition of Wright, and this is confirmed J™ tho Management Committee of the New Zealand Onion, there should be no question but thsrf- Mill will accompany the side. The addition of Wright would bring the strength of the side up to ?0 players, a number the New Zealand Lnion pro* posed in the first place to the English Union. As the English Union will pay the expenses of only 29 men, the New Zealand Union would have to bear the cost of sending the extra man. . • There is a precedent for an addition to the team, for in the case of the All Blacks of 1905, W. Cunningham, of Auckland, was included as lock, and Abbott, of Taranaki, added to the backs, after the team returned from its Australian tour.