NEPIA'S DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22808, 16 August 1937, Page 14

NEPIA'S DAY

A GEEAT FULLBACK VISITORS' BAD LUCK THRILLS FOR LARGE CROWD Although the Australians lost hy a single point, they were perhaps greater in defeat than in victory, for injuries reduced their strength to twelve players in the latter part of the first spell and then to eleven shortly after the interval. For brief periods in the second half they were left with ten men, but in spito of the fact that only three forwards were left in the scrum, they still provided strenuous opposition to the full strength of the New Zealand side. Whenever the visitors' backs had tho ball they were a menace to tho defence right to the finish of play. It is safe to sav that had New Zea-

land fielded any other fullback than Nepia, the visitors wotdd have won handsomely, even allowing for their misfortune. Nepia was responsible for saving at least four certain tries with his deadly tackling, twice when Beaton was well clear of the rest of the field, and also when Gibbs and McLean each attempted to beat the Maori custodian. It was exceedingly unfortunate for Pearce, the big versatile Australian forward, to be carried off with a broken left leg early in the game. Pearce charged down on Nepia, who kept low to the ground and rose, just as the Australian reached him with tho resu't that the latter crashed heavily over him. Australia suffered a further temporary misfortune when Stehr fell heavily on his left shoulder and had to retire for a time. Loss of Gibbs At this period of play, however. Australia's twelve representatives showed what they were capable of, and the bad luck appeared to inspire them to brilliant efforts. Assisted by weak tackling on the part of the New Zealand backs, the visitors wero seen in clever passing bouts which had the defence rattled, and with nine points in their favour at half-time, the result appeared to be a foregono conclusion. However, the retirement with rib in-

juries five minutes after the interval, of Gibbs, who had been the outstanding forward among the Australians, placed a totally different complexion on the game. Gibbs had been playing brilliantly, with repeated dashes for the line, and participating in nearly every attack, and his loss was keenly felt. Prigg, the Australian captain, . had adopted the role of rover to harrass tho New Zealand inside backs, but later he, too, met with an injury to his right shoulder and had to leave the field for attention. He returned in a feuminutes, determined to help his remaining ten men in their desperate efforts to keep the New Zealandcrs at bay. Crowd Rushes Players By this time the New Zealand backs had stiffened up their defence with more resolute tackling and their forwards were obtaining possession of tho ball from their three opponents in the scrums. The result was that the visitors were repeatedly called upon to stop bright passing movements which swept toward their line. When the final bell sounded a wildly enthusiastic crowd rushed the ground to congratulate the I players as they exchanged jerseys on their way to the dressing rooms. Nepia is justly entitled to the credit for staving off defeat. His defence and positional play were very sound, his kicking brilliant and his tackling deadly. Only once was he bluffed, when Norman broke away with two men in support and only Nepia to beat. Tho nippy Australian five-eighths dummied his way past Nepia, who quickly gave chase and brought him down with a flying tackle from the rear, though unable to prevent the ball being tossed back to Gibbs and Nolan for a try. Tittleton was the best of the threequarter line, his tackling being an outstanding feature and an object lesson to his fellow-players who were prone to attempt the high collaring so futile against the heavy Australian forwards. Davison's Two Tries Davison scored two good tries, using his pace effectively, but his defence was weak, and failure to tackle let his o|>ponents away repeatedly. Kay was also weak in this respect and missed a certain try through hesitating. Chase made the most of his opportunities, although he had not the pace to get clear. Bickerton was overshadowed by the versatile Norman at five-eighths, and was several times left standing. However, he was always handy in attacking movements. Halloran * tackled well and sent out good passes, but the transfers of all_ the backs lacked the [ snap and precision which characterised the work of the Australians, and there is room for considerable improvement in this department. Brodrick, Glynn and Gault were a trio of determined, hard-working forwards, with the first-named most prominent. Brodrick made a number of brilliant dashes, but should learn to drop his one handed style of passing and dangerous hurdling tactics. Cootes and Satherley gave valuable support and tho latter's try was a fine effort. Tetley, however, was inclined to play too much in the back line and several times spoilt promising movements faulty handling and being caught in possession. Ward and Norman Shine Ward, for Australia, was almost equally as good at fullback as Nepia was for New Zealand. His fielding of tho ball was perfect, and in the second half he made an extra man in the threequarter line with bursts of speed after obtaining possession. McLean played his best game and confirmed tho impression that he is a worthy successor to the brilliant Hordcr of former tours. He showed much better positional play than on his first appearance and has plenty of pace. Beaton and McKinnon were well watched by Tittleton, and the former's clever runs wero frus-

trated by Nepia. He was off colour at kicking, otherwise Australia might have won. Dawson, who took Hazelton's place on the wing, was safe and soeedy, although he was allowed few chances.

Norman was undoubtedly the brains of the Australian attack and his understanding with Williams behind the scrum made the pair a dangerous combination. Williams was handicapped after the forward losses, but

came to light as a splendid goal-kicker. Individually Williams and Norman were responsible for clever openings and good running, while their defence was very sound. Gibbs and Pearce, until their retirement. played great football, and Prigg was little inferior, although he was allowed a good deal of latitude as rover by the referee. Stehr, Nolan and Lewis stuck manfully to their task of holding the scrums and were always on hand to open up the play from the ruck. TAKINGS AT MATCHES TOTAL AMOUNT OF OVER £3OOO The gate takings for the three matches played by the Australian League team in Auckland amounted to £3211. The official figures were as follows:—First test, £1237; Maori match, £649; second test, £1325.,