SECOND LEAGUE TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19123, 15 September 1925, Page 6

SECOND LEAGUE TEST.

QUEENSLAND'S FINE TEAM. VISITORS AT THEIR BEST. COMMENTS ON THE PLAYERS. Tho Queensland League team fully upheld its reputation as a great combination in the second test match at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Tho convincing manner in which the visitors, who placed most faith in their backs, defeated Now Zealand left no room for doubt as to which was the better team. In a splendid first spell, during which the visitors did not havfj all the better of play, there was some great football. The standard attained was easily the best of the three games played. Individually and collectively the Queenslanders were in their very best' form, and are undoubtedly tho cleverest, exponents of tho cede seen at Carlaw Park. They were sorely pressed on many occasions, but with splendid judgment a quick pass, or a smart sprint by the inside backs, would completely change the' ricene of play often in the space of. seconds. 'the New Zealand thirteen did not come up to expectations and did not reproduce the sparkle and dash shown in tho two previous games. The forwards put up a great fight in the first spell and easily held their own. It caused much surprise to see the. ball kept in play when conditions just suited the visitors. Singe would have been better advised to. find the line more frequently and give his forwards a much-needed rest.'

Without detracting from the honour of Queensland's victory it may bo stated that the home team failed because of staleness, resulting from a lengthy tour of Australia combined with inability to get tho ball from the scrums. The backs did not handle the ball well. Consequently their attacks broke down, but their defence was particularly good, Wetherall, Kirwan and Delgrosso playing a prominent part. A Great Fullback.

No firicir- fullback than J. Craig has visited New Zealand with a League team. He gave a masterly display on Saturday and was a thorn in the side of the home team on numerous occasions. His fielding was as excellent as his defence and he showed great judgment in his line kicks. Once in the first spell, when pressed on his own goal-line he kicked quickly and found the line just past halfway. It was a great effort, which the crowd duly recognised. .Craig was responsible for 14 points, as he kicked seven* goals. Spencer was the best-of the Queensland wing-threequarters and gave a dashing display. He proved a difficult man to stop and was always dangerous. Aynsley did not get many opportunities and his handling was below his usual standard. Crouch, one of the centres, is new to international football and came through the match in good style and scored a fine try when he easily beat Gregory. With a little more experience he should ably fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Queensland's sta,.r player, E. S. Brown. The pivot of the Queensland attack was undoubtedly Gorman, whose brilliant display was one of the features of the game. He completely nonplussed the opposition and had them thinking time he handled the ball. Moores was caught many times with the ball and was not nearly' so good as in the previous test. Edwards, behind the scrum, gave his backs plenty to do and was responsible for opening up many fine movements.

s' The Queensland forwards showed up in plenty of short, snappy, passing that was delightful to witness. They were, however, inclined to play off-side, and on some occasions the breaches passed unnoticed. Still they gave a splendid display of supporting their backs in all movements and each man showed great pace in the open. Purcell was perhaps the best of an even lot. Steinohrt shone in the loose. Bennett and Armbruster were tireless workers, who were ever in the thick of the game. The Queensland captain, N. Potter, proved a very capable leader and controlled his side with excellent judgment.

Henderson, the visiting hooker; won the ball from the scrums consistently in the three matches played. , ' ■ The ifew Zealand Thirteen.

Gregory, fullback for New Zealand, has b«en seen in better form, and while his fielding was good he seemed hesitant when in possession of the ball. Delgrosso again stood out as a greatly-improved player. He defended well and made some good openings, besides maintaining his high standard in goal-kicking. Saunders played a good game, but got very few chances. Failure to get a good share of the ball put Wetherall and Kirwan at a big disadvantage and they were seldom seen on attack. However, their defence calls for special mention. Throughout the contest thfly bore the brunt of the visitors' attack.

Webb was not a success behind the scrum, many of his passes to Wetherall being anywhere but in the right plaoa. Littlewood was a distinct disappointment and gave Queensland two simple tries. The home forwards failed to stay out the gruelling game, but through the first spell and for ten minutes in the second they easily held their own. It was quite apparent that the previous two games had a marked effect. Avery was not as prominent as usual, but Singe played a fine game, tackling particularly well. The two O'Briens were great workers and were well supported by Herring. The Method of Selection.

Much could be said about the choice of the players-'to fill the vacancies left by Parkes and Peterson,*who had to returrf to the South, and'Wilson-Hall, who was injured during the first test. It is no secret that a difference of opinion existed between the coach and selectors. The mistake was made in the first place' by not retaining several members of the Auckland team now on tour. The selectors of the New Zealand League should have been alive to their duty, and should have informed the Auckland selectors that, the players wanted were not available for the southern trip. Possibly the thirteen chosen to represent New Zealand would then have been considerably strengthened. The selection of a hooker for the New Zealand team did not receive the consideration it deserved. The original selection of Townsend to play for New Zealand against Auckland was a happy one bnt owing to a minor injury the City forward conld not play. It is understood that Townsend was fit to play in the first test, and although not chosen ■yvas to be approached to play in the second game. It now transpires that this request was not made and Townsend travelled south with the Auckland team. For some time past it'has been evident that the claims o{ several Waikato players have been overlooked, and it is only to be expected that discontent has arisen in South Auckland. Next Saturday Queensland play a combined team in Wellington, and such good backs as Jackson, Hemingway, Johnson and Raynor and the forwards, Hutt and Menzies are entitled to consideration at least. The opportunity of introducing new blood into the representative teams is in the hands of the selectors and it is to be hoped that one of their number will see South Auckland play Queensland to-morrow. Champion Otago Team.

A Dunedin correspondent writes as follows: " The City A team, winner of the Otago League championship has this season retained an unbeaten record. It has scored 386 points in the 14 matches played while only 14 have been registered against it. This club challenged Canterbury for the Thacker Shield, but has, received the reply that the trophy is, only- for local competition. The Otago champions are anxious to play City, the Auckland champions, and ask the Auckland authorities to make every endeavour to arrange the game. " Dunedin supporters of the code are anxious to see how their champions would fare against Auckland's best."-