BALL POSSESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22802, 9 August 1937, Page 11

BALL POSSESSION

VISITORS SUPERIOR FINE TEAMWORK SHOWN FREQUENCE OF PENALTIES Beaten for possession of the ball from almost every set scrum, the New Zealanders put up a really good showing. Both tries scored in the first half by Australia were due to weak tackling, which let the visitors' backs into New Zealand's twenty-five for the first time after 20 minutes' play. Due to the great play of its forwards, New Zealand had been definitely on top, and the team as a whole played with a lot of confidence. The Australian backs were bustled into making mistakes, and one certain try was missed when McLean dropped a low pass from Beaton. It was almost an impossible tasVfor the home backs to do much dam/ge on attack, as they rarely saw the ball from the scrums. It was not until tho second half that the home team rose to tho occasion and did much effective tackling. While it was not the low tackling usually seen, the Australian players were pulled down from high positions, and usually with the ball. Play was fast throughout and always interesting, as the visitors had plenty of opportunities to reveal their ability on attack. Dashing Forward Play The New Zealand forwards played dashing football in the second half and more than held, their own in the loose. Every time Williams set up a passing movement, either McLeod or Gault broke fast from the scrum and checked Norman, who was often caught in possession. It was not until the second half that Williams, the visitors' halfback, resorted to sharp kicks past the New Zealand five-eighths. Watene was a little slow in getting up to the ball and he caused the home team many anxious moments.

Superior teamwork played a big part in Australia's success, and in many respects the New Zealand team has much to learn in the finer points of the game. The visitors were • penalised on many occasions for not playing the ball correctly, and for scrum infringements. ✓ Clever Passing A feature of the game was the clever passing of the Australian forwards. Many times the home defence was tested when Pearce, Stehr, Prigg and Gibbs broke away apd gained useful ground from short, snappy passes which were always well directed. On the day Australia was the better team, but the New Zealanders can be commended for a resolute game. A lot of credit is due the home forwards for their fine exhibition. New Zealand actually won the honours on the day in loose for--ward play. The speed of the Australian backs was certainly affected by the bad state of the ground. However, they showed form sufficient to suggest that they will develop into a brilliant combination. The most impressive player was Beaton, the outside centre, who did some great work on attack, and was always a hard player to stop. On a dry ground Beaton would be seen to even better advantage. His speed was a revelation. McKinnon also played a sound game, and his straight running often placed Australia in good attacking positions. Behind the scrum, Williams proved a tricky player, and never missed a chance of sending the backs on attack. Of the wings, Hazelton, who scored the last try, was the most impressive, and he showed a lot of determination in runs down the side line. Former Union Player

A lot of interest was taken in the appearance of McLean, who played in Auckland last year with the Australian Rugby Union team. McLean was very impressive in the first half, and showed a fine burst of speed when he scored his try. At fullback, Ward had very little to do, but made no mistakes. The most impressive forward in the Kangaroos' team, was Gibbs, whose straight running and general forward play were greatly admired. Stehr also played a good game and proved hard to pull down. He wa.s inclined to hang on too long. Pearce delighted the crowd with many spectacular dashes, and his handling in passing bouts was perfect. Brigg did a lot of clerer work on attack, although often caught in possession.

Watene was slow at fullback, but his defence was very good, and in the last few minutes he saved a try with two strong tackles. His return kicks were not well and he should have used the touch-lines more often. The best New Zealand back, was undoubtedly Tittleton, who played a fine game at five-eighths. His tackling saved the home team ou numerous occasions. Bickerton was prominent on attack and made several nice openings. His general play justified his inclusion. Tackling Ability

Both the wings, Riley and Davison, played good games. The former tackled ably, but got • few chances oil attack. Davison played with plenty of dash, and may do even better on a dry ground. Much of the rugged play fell to R- Chase, whose sound tackling checked McKinnon and Beaton. Early in the game Halloran received a nasty knock, and the best was not seen of his play at halfback. The New Zealand forwards all played well and it would be difficult to pick out the best. ,Gault played a splendid game, and his low tackling was an object lesson to others. McLeod and Cootes were also prominent. The former, who replaced Pickrang, should retain his .place in the second test side. Glynn and Brodrick also played ably. The latter hung on a little too long on one occasion, and the home team missed a possible try. In the back row Tetlev did a lot of useful work, although he was penalised on four occasions when the visitors were playing the ball. Australia is now one game up in the contest for the Transtasman Cup. The deciding test will be played next Saturday.

MATOH OH WEDNESDAY MAORI TEAM SELECTED The selectors, the Rev. Panapa and ' Messrs. E. Asber and J. Rukutai, have chosen the following New Zealand Maori representative team to meet the visiting Australian Rugby League side at Carlaw Park on Wednesday:— Fullback. —G. Nepia. Threequarters— J. Hemi, W. Broughton, R. Chase, J. Rata, R. Wilson (two to bo omitted). Five-eighths.—N. Bicker ton, T. Chase. Halfback. —P. Mahinia. _ Forwards. —J. Cootes, - McLeod, Ju. Cootes. R. Brodrirk,,. G. Mitchell, ■ F. Pickrang, S. Wateiie, L. Tristram (two to be omitted). The team will meet this evening .at Carlaw Park for traininfli-jrarpoaees