KEEN FORWARD TUSSLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 12

KEEN FORWARD TUSSLE.

NEW ZEALANDERS FAIL.

BACKS SHOW NO INITIATIVE.

MILL AND LILBURNE WEAK.

[BY TELEGRAPH.-—own correspondent.] DUNEDIN, Saturday.

Although tlio first test match between Britain and New Zealand was commenced in a blinding snowstorm the weather soon cleared and remained fine for the duration of the match. . In consequence, the ball was heavy and greasy all day, but in spito of this fact the British backs threw it about with the greatest abandon, and the impression left was that on a dry ground tho visiting backs would have proved vastly superior to Now Zealand's rearguard. So far as the forwards were concerned tho British pack nioro than held its own in the first spell, with the result that the backs were always in tho picture. In spite of the heavy nature of the ground and tho greasy ball tho visitors gave a great exhibition of fast, open play.

Unless the All Blacks can show greatly improved form there is a danger that for the first time in tho history of Dominion Rugby tho ashes may leave these shores. The Britishers played a typo of football that is new—to New Zealand Rugby, and although tho best may not have been seen of them in the North, their test team i 3 undoubtedly of a calibre that is at least equal to the best traditions of the All Blacks. On to-dav.'s showing.it was certainly no disgraco on tho' part of Otago to suffer tho heaviest defeat of tho tour, as it was obvious there is a great difference between the teams fielded against Wellington and Canterbury and that which did battle against Otago. Good British Backs. It was a notable achievement on tho part of tho visitors to defeat the New Zealanders on u heavy ground. In the first spell honours were clearly with Britain, and until the ball became to sodden that it was difficult to handle tho backs showed markedi superiority. , The first try, which came within seven minutes of tho opening of the gam<?, was tho' resuit of a clever cross-kick by Spong, tho ball being smartly fielded by Reeve. The remainder of the spell was fairly even, with Britain holding the advantage. Porter saved his side on a number of occasions, but Lilburne and Cooko, electing to kick instoad of passing, j'Qbbcd their outside men of several chances. Tho All Black began the second spell impressively, and within five minutes Hart scored a brilliant try at the corner, all the backs handling. Nepia's kick, a splendid 0110 with a heavy ball, struck the post. For the greater part of the remainder of tho spell it was a keen forward tussle between two fine packs with tho New Zealanders slightly in the ascendancy, but the superior speed of the British backs, and' their genius for backing up, kept their line intact. The sensation of tho match camo within a minute of tho call of time, when Ivor Jones broke away from tho visitors' twenty-five, and, running do\vn the side-line, met Nepia at the half-way line. lie passed to Morley, who outpaced Cooko, the pursuit ending with the pair, on tho grass just over the line. A Disappointing Display. New Zealand's display, hi view of tho conditions, was disappointing. Tho forwards failed to hold their own in the first spell, and tho backs, playing closo up to their opponents, showed no initiative in attack, both Lilburne and Cooko kicking through in preference to passing out to the centre and wings. In tho second spell, when ho got his chance, Hart made use of it brilliantly, and it was rather to be regretted that so outstanding a wing-threequarter did not .get moro chances. Lucas, with tho little play that camo his way, was sound on both attack and defence. Cooko got few chances for indulging in those brilliant flashes of play that havo mado his name a household word in New Zealand Rugby. Mill and Lilburne were frankly disappointing. Both gave bad passes almost throughout the game, and, although Lilburne's defence was sound, his attacking play was not of the tvpo expected of an All Black five-eighths. In tho forwards Fin lay son and Stecre played an invaluable game, and next to them McWilliams and Hazlctt must be mentioned. Porter was not the Porter of old. He was frequently in the picture, but ho failed to size up the play of tho British backs and was often left standing. Nepia gavo a great display, and, apart from ono blemish when ho failed to go down to a rush, his play was practically faultless, his line-kick-ing being powerful and always gaining ground. Good Work by Spong. Of the British backs Spong was not given the opportunities of tho previous week, but still ho, made some splendid openings for his supports, and it was duo to his heady play that Britain ended tho first spell with an advantage of threo points. Bowcott was a sound link in tlu* British attacking chain, and his lino-kicking was ono of the features of bis defensive play. Of the British backs Aarvold upheld his reputation as an international player, drawing tho defence on a number of occasions, and showing sound defence when it was required. Reeve's opening try again revealed him as a dangerous scoring man, but thereafter few opportunities camo his way. Morley's principal asset appears to be his pace, and this was demonstrated when ho Scored tho winning try. Bassett, while not brilliant as fullback, was safe and invariably found the line. Among the forwards Ivor Jones was outstanding, and lie was responsible for many of tho British attacking movements. Hodgson was another good forward in the loose. Beamish,. Black and Farroll were always in the thick of the tight work, but tho British pack as a whole acquitted itself well against strong opposition, except perhaps during the closing stages.