GOOD FORWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22227, 30 September 1935, Page 11

GOOD FORWARDS

FINE LOOSE HUSHES SPLENDID DEFENSIVE PLAY COOKE IN FINE FORM Credit for New Zealand's victory must in the first place go to the great play of the forwards, who throughout maintained a fast pace in a match which was full of thrills. From tlio outset the New Zealand vanguard set about their task with plenty of determination and dash, and by keeping the ball at toe in the. loose they had the opposition clearly worried. It was evident that some of the Australian backs did not relish going down, while the splendid tackling of tlio home pack frustrated the usual brilliance of the visiting rearguard. With the forwards playing in such form the task of the New Zealand backs was not made so difficult, but the excellent tackling of the two fiveeighths, Prentice and Kay, was one of the features of the game. This in no small measure aided the team to gain a well-deserved victory. The Australian inside men wore forced to run across the field, and even when Brown at times changed from centre to fiveeighths he could not break through the solid defence. One pleasing feature of the Australians' play was that they ran determinedly, never ceased in their efforts to penetrate, and still showed that they are a dangerous scoring combination. At times the New Zealand defenco was beaten, but always Cooke, at fullback, came to the rescue in great stylo and some of his efforts were really brilliant. His kicking showed much improvement on that in tlio Auckland match -the previous week and he frequently found gaps in the defence. On occasions he ran cleverly and from one great opening he made a try was scored. His t.ickling was as sound as ever.

Broun, on the wing for Auckland, scored thres tries and ran with great determination, showing that he would have been much more dangerous had New Zealand been able to hook the ball from the scrums. Brown's tackling, however, could have been improved, as on occasions his opponent ran past him. Minchim, on tho other wing, did well with f iiy chances which came his way and his defence was good. Tittleton did some good defensive work, but all round his showing was scarcely up to New Zealand standard. Powell defended well, but had few chances on attack. Of the forwards, Calder and Glynn, the two West Coast players, stood out. They were always well in the picture whether in the tight or loose, while their tackling proved a thorn in the side oi the opposition. Laird has uover been seen to better advantage and ho was o:ne of the best forwards on 4 the field. Tetley played a good game, supporting both the backs and forwards well, while he was prominent in. following up and for good tackli.ng. His omission from the second test team is rather surprising. Ward and Goodwin Hutt was seen doing good work in the kose, but he had a tendency to get offside and on two occasions was lucky to escape the notice of the refence. Satherley was not so prominent as usual. For Australia Ward played a fine game at fullback, his handling, kicking and tackling being first class. He made some valiant efforts to set his backs in motion and was seen in many thrilling runs, which suggest that he would make an ideal threequarter. The best back for the visitors was Goodwin, whose swerving runs and sidestepping ability always made him a source of danger and he often beat •several defenders before being lowered. His try from halfway was a brilliant effort and fully merited the applause which was bestowed on him. Outstanding Halfback Thicknesse, halfback, again played a fine all-round game and did some clever work on both attack and defence. The clever manner in which be changes the direction of the attack, his speed, quick passing and general all-round play make him stand out as one of the best halfbacks yet seen in Auckland. Although well watched, 1). Brown impressed by his coolness and his neat plav, while his goal-kicking ability was again shown. Hines ran strongly, but Mahon on the other wing was weak and missed some easy passes when tries seemed likely. Norman, five-eighths, had a very hard day, but was still full of determination at the finish, although he could not penetrate far. Interest in Wednesday's Game The Australian rearguard tried all the tricks at their command in an endeavour tc win the game and it is a wonderful tribute to New Zealand's defence that only two tries were registered against the team. In spite of losing the ball from nearly all the scrums the New Zealand backs showed some really clever play from opportunities which came their way in the open. Australia received enough of the ball to have won, but tho fact that New Zealand scored six tries against two .shows that the team deserved its victory The result came as a big surprise to the majority of enthusiasts, who did not hold much hope for the home team, especially under the fast conditions which prevailed. Interest in the second test match next Wednesday at Carlaw Park lias been considerably heightened as a result of the home team's victory.

SECOND TEST NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS The following players hive been selected to represent New Zealand in the second Rugby League football test match against Australia at Carlaw Park next Wednesday:— Fullback. —A. E. Cooke (Auckland). Threequarters.—L. Brown (Auckland), C. Hunt (Taranaki), E. Mincham (Auckland). Five-eighths. —A. Kay (Auckland), S. Prentice (Auckland). Halfback— R. Powell (Auckland). Forwards.—L. Hutt (Auckland), W. Glynn (West Coast), C. Satherley (Auckland), J. Calder (West Coast), J. Laird (Auckland), W. Ward (Canterbury).