AUCKLAND UNLUCKY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 12

AUCKLAND UNLUCKY.

VISITING PACK SUPERIOR. LUCAS GIVES FINE DISPLAY. COMMENT ON THE PLAYERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —ATHLETIC REPORTER.] CARTERTON. Sunday. Although beaten in its effort to wrest ilio Hanfiniy .Shield from Wairarapa Auckland was by no means disgraced, and with a little luck would have been successful. To suffer defeat only by goal kicking after crossing its opponent's lino four times against one was indeed hard on the team. At tho same time the result shows the great advantage a reliable place kick is to a side.

Fuller, who kicked four penalty goals and converted tho only try, is short and of slight build, and it is amazing the power he places behind his kicking, which ho accomplishes with such little effort. Jt was unlucky for Auckland Bush had an off day in his kicking. So far as registering goals was concerned some of his earlier efforts went dangerously close. When Corner's kick hit tho upright and rebounded it was apparent it was not Auckland's lucky day in this respect. Especially in the first spell the game was disappointing for a representative fixture, in which so many players who havo represented New Zealand participated. This in a largo measure can be attributed to tho poor scrummaging. Tho referee, although penalising the teams, chiefly Wairarapa, for breaches was far too lenient. Time and again tho ball did not go into tho scrum cleanly, and tho game was frequently held up. It would bo safe to say that only on half a dozen occasions, if tho number were as high as that, was the ball clearly placed in the scrum and fairly hooked. Largo Number ol Penalties.

J. Donald proved himself a past master at regaining possession off tho hookers' feet, and, although ho was caught several times, ho persisted in liis attempts at various stages, and was allowed to go undetected. The gamo was also spoiled by tho unusually largo number of penalties against both teams. Up to half-timo 20 had been awarded, and there were just as many in the second spell. For a start over-anxiousness by the Auckland forwards gave away several free kicks, but later tho pack kept well within tho usual number in a Rugby match. In tlio first spell tho Auckland backs, apparently playing to instructions, attempted little in tho way of a combination, making the game a forward one. Tho Auckland pack was superior to its opponents in the loose and line-outs, some of its rushes quite surprising the spectators and taking a power of stopping. It waS in checking theso onslaughts that the great value of Cooke's excellent defence to the Wairarapa team made itself apparent. The Auckland forwards were also superior in most of tho tight play, but Wairarapa generally gained tho advantage from extremely poor scrummaging. Taking heed of its success in this department Wairarapa ordered scrums throughout the second spell, when tho bail was in its favour. Wairarapa adhered to this policy even when Auckland was right down on its line. The match in the first half was practically a forward battle, and there were some strenuous exchanges, in which some particularly hard tackling was indulged in. Auckland's Hookers. When it came to scrummaging Irvine and Rcid found they had struck just as hard and capable a pair in Hadley and Finlayson. Each time the Auckland scrum pushed quickly. Wairarapa was not anxious to get down second, but the Auckland hookers held their ground. Although most of the Wairarapa supporters strongly fancied their team's chances they received a rude shock at the final scores, and the majority were prepared to admit the team was lucky to carry the day. With such an array of All Black talent the team appeared a very formidable combination, but failed to uphold its reputation. However, the forwards offered a strong opposition, and there were some good individuals among thein. Harvey and M. Willoughby stood out, the former proving a fine leader and playing right up to his best form. It, was in thfe rearguard, which received numerous opportunities, that Wairarapa lacked the penetrative power to bring about success. The Auckland defence was very sound. Cammick watched Cooke well, often lowering his opponent with determined tackles. Cooke never really got clear in any passing movement, but he repeatedly found gaps by clever kicks. Tho kicking of tho Wairarapa captain was really wonderful, and repeatedly throughout the match ho sent the Auckland forwards back with magnificent punts, which gained 40 to 50yds., and sometimes more. Wairarapa would have been in a sorry plight without him. Fullback Disappointing. Cundy at first five-eighths, except for a little good cutting in, was disappointing. and revealed nothing to show his All Black capabilities, his passing being very bad. Mill, at half, only occasionally ; showed glimpses of his past form, his usual clever runs being nipped in the bud by sound tackling. Stringfellow, at centre, was never prominent, while Roach, ! at fullback, was extremely disappointing, his fielding being weak. Lucas and Minns did not receive many straight-out opportunities, and often inado their own, to considerable advantage. Clever anticipation resulted in the Auckland captain scoring bis fine try, and he gave the crowd a sample of his side-step-ping ability when he left Roach standing again after starting the movement from which Minns scored. Bush was a little slow at centre on occasions, delaying his transfers too long to givo his wings a chance. Jamieson and Cammick had a hard afternoon at five-eighths, but acquitted themselves well. They only need further representative experience to be a more formidable combination. Jamieson threw ono or two wild passes, but outside this played a sound game. Corner Plays Well. Corner played a fine game at halfback, getting tho ball away smartly and starting passing rushes cleverly from opposing forward movements. Butler, at fullback, was very safe, his only fault being a misjudgment in a few of his kicks after he had gained ground in bright solo dashes through the Wairaiiipa forwards. The Auckland forwards ono and all played a great gamo, their splendid loose rushes being a revelation to the. Wairarapa onthusiasts. Their superiority in the line-outs was very marked, whilo their tackling and general all-round play had the opposition clearly ill at ease throughout. tho match.

Wairarapa's only try was the result of, Auckland being caught napping on its own lino. A quick, long throw-in was taken cleanly and only accurate handling was necessary for the desired result. On two or three occasions tho Auckland hacks had chances, but the inside men failed to draw their men enough, otherwiso a couple more tries may havo been added to tho team's score.

L. Hook and J. Donald, the respective wing-forwards, were very dissimilar types. Donald played tho old-time game, while Hook stood off more, but even then was badly obstructed at times. Hook, although lacking in weight, filled tho place well, and his try was a reward of goou anticipation. Auckland was 21b. heavier in tho scrum than Wairarapa, but tho shield holders had an advantago of 81b. in tho backs. Taking everything into consideration Auckland was unlucky not to win the match by at least 10 points.