RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 17

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACKS' TEST DEFEAT LOSS BY AUCKLAND TEAM MATCH AGAINST WAIRARAPA The main topic of conversation in Rugby circles in Auckland, and 110 doubt throughout tho Dominion, since Saturday last, has been tho defeat suffered by the All Blacks in tho first test match in Sydney. It is generally agreed that tho touring side did not play New Zealand Rugby as it is known in this country. Instead, the forwards appear to have vied with each other as to which could bo the most conspicuous in tho open. The result was that Hadlev, tho team's brilliant hooker, was. left "high and dry." The experience will do the All Blacks ® world of good. It will teach them that no team can win a game without possession of the ball. It may bo expected, therefore, that the New Zealanders will pay more attention to the scrums in their future* matches. It is useless to allow Australian teams to obtain the ball, as their backs have usually been regarded as being superior, both individually and as a combination, to those of New Zealand. New Zealand and Australia have how played 22 matches. New Zealand has won Australia, 7, while one—the 1907 game in Sydney, was drawn, 5-all. New Zealand teams have scored 339 points against their opponents' 204. > Represented Both Countries Six players have represented both New Zealand and New South Wales at Rugby football. They are:— F. Surman, N.S.W. 1894, and N.Z. 1896. W. Hardcastle, N.Z. 1897, and N.S.W., 1898. .. T. Pauling, N.Z. 1896, and N.S.W. IS9S. / H. Y. Braddon, N.Z. 1884, and N.S.W. 1888. .Jas. O'Donnell, N.Z. 188-i, and N.S.W. 1884. E. iE. Bopth, N.Z. 1905, and N.S.W. 1908. Five All Blacks can play a very large part in making "a football team. This fact was clearly demonstrated last Saturday, when Auckland, without the services of the three forwards and two backs who are at present in Australia, was decisively beaten by North Auckland at Eden Park. After two or three lean seasons there has been an improvement in the standard of Auckland club Rugby this year, but the young players who have made encouraging progress have not yet reached that stage of development when they can be expected to form a first-class representative side without at least a leavening of- experience.

All Blacks Missed

The absence of three such forwards as Knight, McLean and Hadley must be severely fe'lt, but it is also providing voung plavers with valuable experience. The Auckland forwards were overwhelmed last Saturday by a heavier and mors vigorous pack. They may even meet with the same fate against Wairarapa this 1 ' week. But players liko Lockington,'.. Pcarco and Pepper are bound to develop. The same? argument applies m the case of the young inside backs, Hedge and Murdoch, who may yet develop into players of class. Hedge, however, must improve his passing and must abandon altogether his habit of giving an occasional jwss, flinging the ball down from ab<M*;, the level of the shoulders. Both wbldd do well to study more the tactical .-value of the touchline, although t|is type of kicking would have been of. doubtful use last Saturday, when the North Auckland forwards were so vAetly superior 111 the line-outs. One Auckland back who is showing exceptional promise is Hnmmon, who, with a little more experience, should become a winger of class. There was real brilliance in his paving of the . way for Auckland s second try last Saturday. Wairarapa Team

Patrons of Eden Park are eageil> looking forward to the match next Saturday between Auckland and Wairarapa.'The latter team has a fine record this season, including a win over Wellington's strongest side. lh'S is ample proof of the ability of the " a '~ rarapa 'fifteen. Great interest will centre, in C. stringfellow, who is regarded in many quarters as being unlucky not to be with the All Blacks in Australia, J. Hemi, a brilliant Maori fullback, and R. Devine, Fraser-Smitli. Seivers and G. Laing, three powerful forwards.' The visiting team should be a first-class draw. The thoughts of most Auckland Itugby enthusiasts are now turning toward the jßanfurly Shield engagement against Hawke's Bay next mon t th. The All Blacks will have returned from Australia by theu and it is to be hoped that the Auckland members can obtain extended leave in order to l'lay both against Wellington and Hawke s Bav. It would be too much to expect an" inexperienced team to defeat the shield-holders on their home ground. Two or three of the North Auckland forwards who played at Eden Park last Saturday may be given chances to attain higher liiTgbv honours next year. McG'racken and Fitzgibbon were two who were/outstanding, and Mr. v. it. Meredith may easily have them m mind wheh - players arc being selected for trial matches in view of the iort 1,coming tour of Great Britain.