STRONG OPPOSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21267, 22 August 1932, Page 13

STRONG OPPOSITION

ENGLAND FULLY EXTENDED BRILLIANT FINAL EFFORT SUPERIOR TEAM COMBINATION The match provided England with easily the strongest opposition met on the New Zealand tour, and the home team surprised the great majority of spectators by its splendid showing. If the visiting team had not been fully extended prior to Saturday, it was certainly nil out throughout the whole match. England produced every attacking movo it knew in an endeavour to break through a defence which wilted only on odd occasions. When New Zealand had a lead of six points in the second spell with ten minutes to go the homo side seemed sure to leave the field victors. However, it was then that England made a brilliant rally and scored two well-deserved tries, the last giving it a margin of two points practically on time. The win was deserved if only for the reason that the visitors made such a great final effort when victory appeared to have slipped from their grasp. At the same time it can be said that New Zealand was a shade unlucky to lose. The team showed vastly improved form, its bustling methods causing the : English backs, especially in the first spell, to commit many errors. The reason England won the day was that its combination as a team was superior. The fact that. New Zealand scored as many tries as the visitors indicates an : improvement in team work, but whereas j England scored three tries from combined | play, two of the home side's tries wero | more or less the result of individual play. Players Hooted j New Zealand right from the com- ! mencement put far more dash and vim | into its efforts in strong contrast to its play in the two other tests. There were j many times when tempers became frayed, some of the English forwards openly ! taking exception to the rulings of the I referee. This brought them into dis- ; favour with the spectators, who hooted visiting players on several occasions. There were times when fists were swung freely in the tight play. In the hard tackling neither team gave any quarter, the New Zealand players retaliating quickly to any questionable tactics of the visitors. The closeness of the scores worked the crowd into a high state of excitement, but it was to its discredit that it hooted the English captain many times without any reason. When Sullivan was taking place-kicks at goal he was continually jeered as he made his steps. As far as scrums were concerned England was not nearly so successful as in previous matches. Campbell obtained possession on 38 occasions and White 30 times. Even when Clark was played as an extra back New Zealand was often successful in hooking the ball, in spito of the lack of weight. The penalties wero also more evenly divided, New Zealand obtaining 19 and England 14. Consistent goal-kicking would have won the match for New Zealand, as good chances were lost through failure in this department in handy positions. Hudson Plays Well Hudson played a fine game for England : on the wing, his determined running and clever change of play being features. | Smit'h was equally as good, while Atkini son straightened nn back attacks by : strong running. Sullivan was in his best j form as the last line of defence. Of the i forwards Hodgson, Thompson and Feet- ' ham were the most prominent. I The New Zealand tackling was good j on the whole, but there were times when | players persisted in trying to take weightier opponents high. This enabled the Englishmen to start movements which should have been stopped at the com mencement. NEW ZEALAND STANDARD PROMISING YOUNG PLAYERS "On the average, the standard of plqy in New Zealand is not as high as that in 1928," stated Mr. G. F. Hutchins, manager of the English team. "At the same time, it is scarcely fair to judge, as the present touring team is a better blended side than other English teams, and this would naturally make the standard appear lower in New Zealand. I am quite satisfied that in the country teams there are several promising young players who only want developing and they should be given an opportunity. The same applies to Australia. "The selectors in both Australia and New Zealand must recognise that young players have to be given a chance." continued Mr. Hutchins. "The average age of the English touring team is 23 and we have blended youth with experience. We have kept religiously to this policy in England and the same course could bo followed in New Zealand." Questioned regarding the rules Mr. Hutchins said that the English authorities accepted the tour on condition that the English rules and interpretations wero carried out. There was only ono set of rules as made by the controlling body, but when the team came to the colonies it found some of these rules had been twisted. "I believe some of your rules are better than those in England, but that is not the point. The constitution is quite clear. We camo out without any obligation and it is unfair to call us 'squealers.' " With reference to the appointment of referees. Mr. Hutchins said they wanted the official who, in their opinion, gave the best interpretations of the rules. In selecting referees to take charge they had not meant to offend anybody. ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL APPRECIATION OF CAPTAIN The members of the English touring team left Auckland by the Tamaroa on Saturday night and were given an enthusiastic farewell by several hundred people. In a short speech from the deck, Mr. J. Sullivan, the English captain, said: "We have all had a wonderful time in your fine Dominion and wish to express appreciation of the great hospitality extended to us on all sides." In a farewell message to the English team, Mr. O. A. Sneddon, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, expressed the gratitude of tho council at it 3 visit to the Dominion. RECORD OF TOUR EIGHT WINS RECORDED The English team played and won eight matches in the Dominion, scoring 299 points against 87. Following are tho results of matches: — Against Northland, won, 56 —5. First test, won, 24—9. Against South Auckland, won, 64—11. Against Aucldaid, won, 19—14. Against West Coast, won, 32 —8. ' Second test, won, 25—14. Against North Island, won, 59—8. Third test, won, 20—18. Poiut.s for, 299; points against, 87.