FINE FORWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 11

FINE FORWARDS

HODGSON OUTSTANDING ALL BLACKS WELL HELD Mclaughlin's brilliant try VISITING BACKS DANGEROUS [BV TELEGRAPH— ATRLETIC REPORTER] W ELLINGTON, 6unday Although perhaps the first Rugby test reached tho highest international standard, it Mas only occasionally a very interesting contest from several points of view. In the first place those critics who had forecast an easy victory l"i New Zealand received something of •i shock. 1 hey had based their judgment uj)on the results of previous matches, and the touring side's loss at Carterton especially had convinced "them that Australia was a weak combination. Anyone who had seen the four games prior to the test, however, could not have missed observing that the visitors had a team capable of doing something better under good conditions. I 1 oi the first time on tour, they had a dry ground and ball, and although they lost, they certainly made the match one well worth watching. It was anticipated that the New Zealand forwards would be too good for the visiting pack, but the latter held its own well. In fact, the Australian forwards wero on top practically throughout the first spell, and it was only in the second half that the All Blacks dominated play to any extent. Even then the Australians battled relentlessly and put plenty of vim into their efforts.

The Wallabies' backs always looked more dangerous than their opponents throughout the first spell, being speedier and more accurate in handling. Their defence was splendid, particularly that of Pauling and McLaughlin, who effectively smothered Killeen and Caughey. Pollock's Pine Game Pollock played an excellent game at fullback for New Zealand. His handling of the ball was as clean as any that has previously been .seen at Athletic Park, and his kicking was well directed. It was his jinky running and "dummying" that caught the fancy of the public, however. By these methods he frequently gained much ground and left several opponents standing on more than one occasion. As a back combination from Sadler outwards the All Blacks were not greatly impressive. Sadler did not play a very versatile game behind the scrum. While Griffiths was sound at the first live-eighths, he had to contend not only with Richards, his immediate opponent, but also with the breakaways, Hodgson and Bridle. He saw openings, but lacked the pace to penetrate. Killeen was too well marked by Pauling to exploit his "dummy" and sidestep. Likewise, Caughey was given little room by McLaughlin. When any one of these 'New Zealand backs did make ground or pass an opponent, he was invariably overhauled by the faster Australian backs or by backing-up forwards.

Hart and Watt, the wingers, did not see a great deal of the ball, but were closely watched. Hart made ttfo or three jinky runs at high speed, and these showed that he is still a winger to beTeckoned with. Watt scored a try, but on that occasion the defence was caught out of position, and the Otago man had a clear run in. The New Zealand forwards were not impressive in the first spell and only on one occasion were they seen in a loose rush for which All Black packs are famed. They took play from their own twenty-five to well inside that of the visitors, but it was an isolated effort. They improved in the second spell. Taken all round, however, they did not look like a pack capable of holding opposition that is generally expected will come from the Springboks next season. Prominent Forwards Dalton, McKenzie, Reid and King were the most prominent, although the two first-named showed signs of unnecessary temper when the fray was thickest in the later stages of the spell. Hadley got more of the ball from the scrums in the second half, when he received better assistance from the other forwards. Rankin played more or less a roving game and had a tendency to get offside. One or two of the forwards were inclined toward obstruction methods. Australia was again unfortunate in having to rearrange its backs. The most pleasing part of Australia's display was the aggressiveness of the forwards. In previous matches they looked more or less a pack capable of playing purely a loose type of game, but on this occasion they went into the thickest of the exchanges, with the result that when they found they were not faced with the solid opposition anticipated they never let up. Hodgson played an outstanding game —one of the- best seen in Wellington for years. Not only was he in the thick of the fray, but he was also outstanding in the line-outs. His pace in the loose was better than that of many backs on the field. Bridle was alwavs prominent in the loose and his exhibition in this respect was very fine. Possessed of plenty of speed be was of valuable assistance to the backs and made the extra man when the side's only try was,scored. Walden, Malone, White, 'Bonis, Kelly and the youthful Hutchinson all played harder football than that in previous games. Good Display by Backs

With an entirely new combination the Australian backs gave a really pood display. One great fault was overkicking by Richards in the first spell. ,Pol lock invariably fielded the ball and made ground with runs or well-placed kicks. Gibbons had a heavy afternoon's work, but. the diminutive halfback never flinched from the forward rushes. Richards was solid without being brilliant fit five-eighths. Pauling, who has hitherto played as a forward, gave a fine exhibition at inside centre. His defence was splendid while his powerful kicking was a decided asset. Anart from doing his task in marking Caughey in good style McLaughlin gave a glimpse of the form which lias won him such high praise from Australian critics this season. His try was a beautiful effort. Taking the ball at top speed, he caught the opposing backs on the wrong foot and, with a great swerving run, left the fullback standing. The wingers, McLean and Kelaher, both displayed pace, but were inclined to kick too much. Rankin appealer! to the crowd for a magnificent exhibition at fullback. He handled the ball accurately, kicked well and extricated his side from many difficult positions.