REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18814, 15 September 1924, Page 9

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

AUCKLAND DEFEAT TARANAKI

FAST FORWARD DIVISION.

IFWERSEN'S SOUND TACTICS.

[BY TELEGRAM*.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Saturday. The Auckland Rugby football team concluded their tour to-day when they met Taranaki at New Plymouth under fine weather conditions and in the presence of about 4000 spectators. Taranaki was represented by one of the strongest teams placed in the field this season but thanks mainly to the magnificent play of the young Auckland pack, who showed good footwork and were superior to their opponents in both tight and loose work, but more particularly in the tight, Auck land emerged victorious by 17 points to 12. On the day they were the better team and thoroughly deserved their win. The match, though by no means spectacular, wag fast and interesting, play being mostly confined to the forwards, where, in the early stages, Taranaki more than hold their own, receiving the ball from the scrum nearly every time. The speed of tho Northerners, however, proved the deciding factor and they came through in some bunched rushes that proved very severe on the Taranaki backs. Tho backs on neither 6ide- played brilliantly, most of the passing rushes breaking down before they reached the wings. The passing was mostly or an orthodox nature. Sending the ball to the wings the Taranaki inside men seldom attempted to beat their men while the Northerners did not use the reverse pass with their usual brilliance. This was probably due to tho fact that the captain, recognising the team's superiority in the forwards, kept the game tight. The tackling on both sides was at times faulty but there was some splendid line kicking, Prior, the Taranaki fullback, shining out while Goodacre, who opened slovenly, waiting for the ball to bounce, played well as tha game progressed. Ifwersen's generalship was a useful asset to his side. Taranaki's Brilliant Start, Early in the game it looked as if Taranaki would win comfortably as playing against a slight wind their forwards, headed by Baldwin, Walkor and Kissick, attacked and their backs also opened out. Oliver dropped a pass and Knight then led his men to half way where Loveridge picked the ball from his toe and after Ross had been well collared by Kirwan, Keary got offside and Ennis landed a penalty goal. Taranaki 3, Auckland 0. The Auckland forwards then took a hand and clever work by McManus ended in Charter dropping the ball when close to the lino. From half-way Ifwersen just went wide with a penalty. Loft was nearly over and then Goodacre, waiting for the bounce, let Walters secure and a passing boxii between Oliver, Jeffries and Ennis ended in the latter scoring. The kick was a failure. Taranaki 6, Auckland 0. Auckland Gain the Lead. Auckland, both back and forward, became aggressive and after both McManus and Kirwan were within an ace of scoring Goodacre tried to pot, just missing. Finallv Anderson and Batty led a sreat Auckland rush and the latter scored. Ifwersen's shot, struck the post and turned in. A moment later he landed a fine penalty goal, making the score. Auckland 8, Taranaki 6. Twice Ifwersen just failed, to goal. A penaltv gave Auckland relief from a Taranaki forward rush. Using the blind side McManus sent Loft away and associated with Batty they took play, well down the field. After a .bout of fast up and down play Taranam were forced. Auckland web pressing, when suddenly Ennis broke away, beat Loft badly and sent the ball to Fryday, who handed on to Brewster. The last named when blocked lost the ball but regaining possession he sent Ennis away again and a transfer to Loveridge at the right tune saw Taranaki in the lead again. Ennis failed to convert. Half time was sounded, with the score Taranaki 9. Auckland 8. Loft retired at half-timo and was replaced by Foster. Swiftly Gained Tries. Auckland lost no time on resuming and at once pressed. Jeffries' kick on being returned was secured by McManus. who sent Keary over. The kick failed. A moment later Ifwersen made an opening for Kirwan, who beat Johnson badly. Tonkin dropped a pass but regained possession and sent Charters over. Ifwersen again failed to convert, Auckland 14 points, Taranaki 9. Taranaki now livened up. Walters and Robinson were nearly over from a forward rush. The backs opened out but Loveridge could not secure. Ross tried to pot. Clever work by Ifwersen had Auckland attacking again. McCullough, Anderson and Knight got very close. After a strenuous period of defence Fryday and Walters started Taranaki moving and Loveridge following rap fiast smothered the fullback, but Ross was well taken by Tonkin, who, punting over the fullback's head, carried play to the corner ficg where the ball went out of touch. Then Prior saved off the toes of the ooposing forwards, who were dangerously close to the line. McManus, working the blind continuously, tried hard to score, while Ifwersen was also nearly over the line. Finally Taranaki cleared and for a few minutes looked like scoring, but Goodacre was safe. Great Run by Kirwan. Then from just outside his own twentyfive Tonkin secured the ball, though he appeared offside, and sent Kirwan away. The latter made a great run and handed to Anderson, who outstripped the opposition and Scored. Ifwersen failed to convert. Auckland 17, Taranaki 9. Taranaki at once pressed, and from a [penalty Ennis kicked a goal. During the remaining few minutes Taranaki had the better of the game but there was no further score, the match ending: Auckland 17, Taranaki 12. The Auckland forwards played well but none better than Batty. Keary, Palmer and Anderson. Of the backs McManus, at half, Kirwan (five-eighth). Tonkin and Goodacre were the pick. Of the Taranaki pack, Kissick, Walters, Baldwin and Robinson were outstanding while Prior (fullback), Ennis, Johnson and Loveridge played well in the rear division.