REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11294, 21 August 1922, Page 7

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

NEW ZEALAND TEAM SUPERIOR TO MAORIS TARANAKI NARROWLY DEFEAT WELLINGTON BIG PROGRAMME AT ATHLETIC PARK Bright sunshine, but a heavy field, marked the first meeting in history of the All Black and Maori representative teams at Athletic Park on Saturday in the presence of 15j900 spectators. In a fast game, amply sprinkled with Incident, the pakehas proved their superiority at the national game, emerging the victors by the comfortable margin of 21 points to 14. As a curtain-raiser Wellington met the Taranaki representative team in a hard, but disappointing game which was remarkable, however, for the visitors’ snatching victory in the eleventh hour. The final scores were: Taranaki 15, Wellington 14. In various parts of the Dominion representative matches were played. Otago beat the Auckland touring team 11—3, Hawke’s Bay downed Canterbury in most deoislve manner, Wairarapa beat Wanganui, South Canterbury defeated Otago, and the Wellington (B) touring team accounted for Nelson. Details are appended:— SATURDAY’S REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

NEW ZEALAND’S WIN

EASY DEFEAT OF MAORIS FAST, EXCITING GAME. Before a crowd estimated at 15,000 between 12,000 and 13,000 paid for admission at the turnstiles—;the first match between the representative team of the Dominion and fifteen Maori boys selected to represent the Native race of New Zealand. was played on the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. After a match that was full of interest, but which did not reach the standard anticipated, Uie New Zealanders won by 21 points to 14. THE CONDITIONS. Both teams assembled in Wellington on Friday, and to welcome them rain began to fall that day, with every prospect of its continuing until after the match was played. Early-risers on Saturday morning tell us that round about ti o’clock the rain was coming down in torrents, and the possibility of the Athletic Park being in decent playing order by the afternoon seemed beyond the bounds of possibility. But the unexpected happened. The weather cleared earLy in the morning, the sun shone out brightly, and hv the time the main body of the spectators arrived at the Athletic Park the afternoon was a delightful one. The ground, also, was in surprisingly good order, it being found possible to play the whole hi the three games set down. And the surface was satisfactory for play, a light northerly wind being the only thing that prevented the conditions being ideal. A DISAPPOINTMENT. Considering the fact that presumably the players opposed to one another were the best of their class in New Zealand the displays, individually and collectively, were a disappointment. It is true that both sets of players tried their hardest, but generally their efforts did not raise much enthusiasm, the tun?: and grip of a keenly-oontested game being conspicuous by its absence. TOO MANY BREACHES. • The play was stopped too many times because of breaches of the laws of the game. There are many fellows in Wellington who take an interest in statistics and probably one of, the fraternity has jotted down how many times the whistle blew during the afternoon. It would be interesting to know what his conclusions were on this occasion. No player or players will rise to greatness unless they learn the laws of the game and attempt to play within the four corners of the said laws. NEW ZEALANDERS THE BETTER SIDE. A fair commentary on the play is that the New Zealanders seemed to have the measure of the Maoris at any stage of the play, and were bound to win in the end. The Native lads are deserving of a measure of praise for making the margin of points between the sides as small as it was at the finish, for they were undoubtedly the weaker team on the day, both .forward and back. It was said that the New Zealand team in Sydney could not understand some of the interpretations of the rules given by the referees on the other side of the Tasman Sea. That may be so, but judging from the way the whistle went against them for breaches on Saturday, Mr Parata's interpretations must have surprised them. But the other conclusion is probably the correct one —they nave got into the habit of breaking the laws of the game and risking the consequences. Be that as it may, the game was robbed of a lot of its attractiveness by the many stoppages because of the whistle blowing for breaches, and the principal offenders were the New Zealanders. , Primarily from the fact stressed above the game did not reach a high standard, and was not comparable with the showings of teams of similar statue in the P®|t. There were, however, several individualists whose displays were in keeping with New Zealand representative standard, but generally the team work was sometimes lacking. GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT. r ®*P e ’U® nc y tho Gov or nor- Gen era!, Lady Jouzeoe and party, oame on to the ground just as the Wellington and Taranaki players wore retiring and received a hearty reception from the crowd of spectators. Tho teams lined up 7 at the gate and marched in single file, the New Aoalnndere leading, until thoy canto in front of the Vico-Regal box. Here, at referee, both teams cheered tho Governmental party after whioh * ,^ raorlß responded to a cell from the annotators, and pare an oldfashioned Maori war-cry. Potaka, Heading his teara-iratee in good style. Amongst others present in the specialty reserved part of tho stand were the Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), Hon. Mt Coates, Dr. A. Jt. Newman, M.P. (president of the Wellington Rugby Union), and Col. G. F. C. Campbell. THE TEAMS. NEW ZEALAND. _ Vulldjack, R. Bell; three-quarters, J. Steel, V. Badelov and W. A. Ford, fiveeighths, M. F. Nicholas and S. K. Svenson; half, H. B. Nicholls; wing-forward, E. A. Beilis (captain); forwards, IT. p. Uflloißai. A. White, J. Richardson, L. Williams. M. .7. Brownlie, L. Peterson, and L Cupples. During tho play 801 l and Richardson woro compelled to retire*, their places going takon by L. Dickinson and S. W. Shearer respectively. THE MAORIS. v.? u jy"k £C k, R. Akuira; three-quarters, W. Barclay, ,T. Blake, and H. Phillips; five-eighthß. P. R. Peina on<l P. Potakn, half-back, J. Mill; wing forward R. Re>l;

forwards, F. Trezise (captrin), T. Bevan, R. Broughton, J. Bannister, S. Gemmell, T. Tangitu, and J. Garlick. Through injuries R. Broughton and P. Pataka had to leave the field, their places being filled by M. Love and J. Mitai. THE PLAY. A BRISK COMMENCEMENT. The New Zealand captain won the toss, and elocted to play with a fair northerly breoze behind his team and a strong sun in the faces of the Maoris. Play opened briskly, and was not. long in progress before a penalty kicsk awarded New Zealand was taken by M. Nicholas. The ball flew far enough, but a lit wide of the posts, and the Maoris forced. A good movement by the New Zealanders was spoilt through Peterson getting off-side, and the Maoris went upheld mainly through Ford mulling a high. kick. Steel sent them back with a big kick, Akuira kicking with fine judgment to touch. Peterson, Richardson and Badeley combined, but Akuira again tent them back. * The New Zealand backs tried some passing, but the movement broke down at Steel. Beilis shot out from the ruck and passed to Ford. The Canterbury man was tackled near the line by Phillips, but he managed to roll over the goal-line with the ball in his possession. A good try according to rule, but the referee disallowed it. From the next scrummage Beilis again was in evidence, and the ball passed through the hands of the brothers Nioholls and Badeley, out to Seeel, the West Coaster being finely tackled by Blake, but a free-kick gave the Maoris temporary relief. But not for long.Beilis again starting a movement that ended in Ford 1 scoring a try, after M. Nicholls and Badalov had in turn handled the ball. Nicholls made a good shot to kick the goal, but it was narrow. New Zealand 3 Maoris . 0 The match had been in progress but ten minutes when this try was scored, ind the wind was proving of much assistance to the New Zealanders. MAORIS EVEN UP. After_M* Nicholls, Brownlie, and Svenson had in turn threatened the Maori lino Badeley put too big a boot behind the ball and a force resulted. After the drop-out 801 l tried to pot a goal with the same ending. Then Mill, Peina, and Potaka moved nicely in company, the last-named knooking-on. Blake broke away, but his pass to Barclay was pro"eMed forward, the whistle going with Steel getting into hip stride. This was a ■ino opportunity to apply the advantage rule, but the referee missed it through •cmg too eager to blow the whistle. From a pass by Badeley, Ford kicked, Akuira taking the ball in good stylo with many of .the New Zealanders off-side. For a while the play wept along very -crappily, the exhibition of individual and combined work being anything but good. Then Badeley cross-kicked, Steel diving into the ball, but. missing it or the flv. Barclay caught it on tho bounce, and with Peina in company the Maori fchyee-quarter raced for the line. At *hc right time Peina got the pass, and ecor. ed the try to the accompaniment oi much cheering. Akuira made a good attempt to convert the try, but the ball went across the face of the goal. New Zealand 3 Maoris 3 NEfW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE. The reverse roused the Dominion representatives, and down the field thoy went pell-mell after the kick-off, Shearer almost scoring. At was just prior to the Maoris obtaining their try that Richardson, the big Otago forward, had to receive the attention of the ambulance men, and the fact that he ‘had retired from the field was not noticed until a query went round as to how Shearer had got into the thick of it. Beilis tried the high-kick and follow, H. Nicholls had a pot at goal, and following this the Petone half-back shot across the line, but the referee awarded .the scrummage five yards out for held ball. Then the Maoris were awarded a free-kiok, the full-back making a beautiful line of it. For a while the whistle went against the New Zealanders, anything like an aggressive movement being spoilt through off-side play. A penchant for lifting the foot before the ball was in the scrummage was also relieving the strain on the Maoris a lot. Cupples and Peterson headed a business-like forward rush, which was well stopped by Blake, and then Badeley let Steel away with a good pass. The man from the Coast brushed off a ootiple of tacklers in a dash that was full of merit, and went across near the corner flag. Badeley made a fine place-kick in converting the try, and the score-board read— New Zealand 8 Maoris A DOMINION TEAM FORGE AHEAD. Garlick broke away from a line-out, Bell and Blake carrying on, but Barclay missed his pass. Mill sending to touch with a neat kick. Cupples, Williams and Brownlie were in front of a solid forward rush, Blake stopping them. The Nicholls brothers made ground in a passing rush, but Steel was well tackled the comer flag, Akuira getting across away from a line-out, and then the Nicholls, Badeley and Ford moved well in company Ford scoring the try right at the corner flag, Akuria getting across to tackle him just a shade late. Hadeley's kick for goal was a good one, but not quite gooa enough. New Zealand 11 Maoris 3 Badcloy, Ford, Phillips and Mill exchanged kicks up the centre of the field, and then Badeley sped away on his own, being upended by Phillips. Broughton led the Maori forwards upfield and a pass to Steel was intercepted by Barclay. He went right down to Bell, but the Now Zealand full-back's tackle caused him to stumble and the chance was gone. Phillips next sped up his i,nn giving Ford the bump in approved J

style. Akuira made a good attempt to kick a penalty goal. Then the sensation happened, Bloke kicked the ball across field about the half-way line. Steel charging up and getting the ball on the bounce. With full pace up he charged down the field, brushing the tookler* off one after the other as they came at him, winding-up a great run by scoring right behind the posts. The kick was an easy one, and M. Nicholls made no mistake. New Zealand Id Maoris 8 THE SECOND SPELL. MAORIS' GALLANT RESPONSE. After the kick-off Blake centred neatly, Svenson returning. Mill picked up in good style and kicked. Broughton headed -a rush, Ford kicking out. Shearer picked up the ball in the loose and made much headway, passing to Ford, and the Wellington forward again got the ball, scoring the try, M. NicnoMs goaled, and tne Maoris were in a bad way. New Zealand 21 Maoris 3 Mill and Potaka made headway with kicks of merit, Phillips knocking-on when things looked promising. Garlick made a good run, finishing off with a poor pass. Gemnell followed suit,' but knocked on. From the next scrummage Mill, the Maori half-back, provided a sensation with a dashing run, giving "the dummy" to Steel and Dickenson and scoring a clover try. Tangita kicked the goal. New Zealand 21 Maoris 8 A forward passing rush—Cupples, Brownlie and Beilis —looked dangerous from the Maori standpoint, but the lastnamed knocked on. Milt made a dash and then he started Potaka and Peina off on a gallop, but Blake dropped his pass. Broughton caught M. Nicholls with the ball, but something happened to him, t and the big Moon, who had been playing a fine game, Jeff: the field, being replaced by M. Love, the Petono player. Phillips made a good kick and followed, but the Maori passing hare was a hit haphazard, Blake being givon an impossible one to take. Garlick made a great run, but his pass was a poor Phillips made a slashing effort to pick the ball up, with a try in prospect. White and Shearer were noticeable in forward rushes, and Beilis, Brownlie, M. Nicholls and Steel carried on, the last-named's kick going into touch-in-goal. PLENTY OF WHISTLE. Later Beilis went ahead with a dashing run, but forgot to pass. Barclay took the ball on the full, but his kick had too much force behind it. Dickenson started in his twenty-five so as to get the full advantage from his line-kick. Akuira kicked down the centre of the field, and, following up quickly, collided with Mill, both the Maoris Ixdng stretched out on the field in consequence. There was a deadly dullness about the play for a while, the whistle, which had fairly persistent during the play, blowing almost every second for some breach of the law or another. After some ragged passing by the Maoris Bell

► pioked up the ball in a loose rush, ■ and, easily evading Ford, scored a try, l Akuira, who has a wonderful reputation as a pLaoe-kicker, failed once again to ! pilot the ball between the poets. > New Zealand . 21 » Maoris 11 r After Svenson had knooked the ball on j Gemmell broke clean away down the , centre of the field. The New Zealand backs were all out of position, and the big Hawke's Bay forward got right down to Dickinson, the New Zealand full-back, before the opposition discovered what had happened. Barclay had galloped up in support, and Gemmell gave him the pass at the right time to make the try a certainty. Akuira tried hard to kick the goal, but his effort, though a good one, went across the goal-post®. New* Zealand 21 ’ Maoris 14 Nothing startling happened after this, ' the bell ringing at 5.15 at the end of ! j the biggest afternoon's football that ha 6 ‘ been staged at Athletic Park in its history. STEEL'S FINE DISPLAY. Steel was the outstanding New Zealand back, the two tries he scored in the j first spell being masterpieces of pace and l determination. Ford also knows how to score a try when the opportunity comes his way. 1 Svenson and Bndeley were handicapped from the fact that M. Nicholls showed a tendency too many times to short punt the ball instead of passing out to the men behind him. This was the weakness on an, otherwise good display by the Betone five-eighth. His brother satisfied at half-hack, making the openings and passing out very cleverly. • , Bell was not on the field long enough to give a fair idea of his powers at fullback, and Dickinson was too new to tho position to be effective, although he kicked to touch well. NEW ZEALAND FORWARDS. The New Zealand forward® were vigorous and fast, although the majority of them wero too eager to pick tho ball up. A {rood forward* uses his feet, bringing hi® hands into play only as a last resource. The noticeable ones for good work w*ere Beilis, Cupples, Brownlie and Richardson. But the forward division gave away an awful lot of free kicks for off-side play and lifting the feet too prematurely in the scrummages. THE VISITORS' BACKS. The outstanding feature of the play of the Maori backs was the clean way in which they took the ball on the full every time. Mill is a brilliant half-back, with just a little tendency to go a bit far on his own. Blake, at centre three-quarter, is clever and resourceful, and should manage that position ip the next New Zealand team if ho retains his form. Barclay puts a lot of dash into his play, but wants plenty of ball to develop his full powers. Akuira is sound at full-back, especially in kicking, but is rather slow in swinging into position to stop the try. TVina and Pot aka are average fiveeighth*, rVvor rnd nippr when thin"* are

going their way, but net too keen, on stopping forward rushes. THE MAORI FORWARDS. Bell filled the rover position fairly well, hut the forward® that really impressed were Broughton, Gemmell and Garlick—all three fine specimens of the Maori, heavy, dashing and hard-working Trezise is aproaohing the veteran stage, and ha® lost much of his initiative. Bevan, T&ngitu and Bannister did their share of the work and stood up to their opponents in good style. THE REFEREE. Mr T. H. Parata, of Waikanae, was the referee, and it is just as well to say that, although he is also a Maori, he is only a very distant relation of Mr W. T. P&T&ta, the manager of the Maori team, and a fellow that has done a wonderful lot for the Rugby game amongst the boy® whose ancestors once owned New ( Zealand. This was Mr Tom Parata *s j first appearance at Athletic Park as a referee—though, maybe, not his last—and in consequence he was inclined to be ’ too particular with the whistle. There were many occasions on which he could have let breaches go by interpreting tho advantage rule, and the play would have been brighter than it was. Mr Parata nuykes the error of carrying the whistle in his mouth, which causes him to blow prematurely. He made a mistake in disallowing Ford's first try, but otherwise his decisions were fair and sound in law. But a Toferee, to satisfactorily control a Rugby game, must not forget what the advantage rule is put in the book of laws for. j NELSON DEFEATED TOOTING TEAM'S WIN. j PRESS ASSOCIATION. \ NELSON, August 19. \ Tho Wellington “B’' touring team <le- 1 fe&tod Nelson this afternoon by 20 points to 13 after a fast and exciting game. The weather was fine, but the ground heavy and thero was a large attendance. Tho Wellington backs gave a fine exhibition, handling the ball splendidly, but deadly tackling by Nelson kept tho score down. Nelson let! in tho first spell by 8 to 6, oach team scoring two. tries and ono of Nelson's being con-; verted. j In the second half the Wellington • backs wero constantly in motion and added four tries to' their tally, ono be-; ing converted, while Nelson registered ; a converted try. The Nelson pack was; very fast and it anybody's game up j to the last few minutes. For Wellington McCabe, Gibson (2), Rigg. McLenrv, and Carmody 6Oored. while Snow, Reid, and Brownlee crossed for Nelson.

New Zealand ... 21 Maoris Taranaki Wellington 14 ... 11 3 Hawke’s Bay ... 29 Canterbury 3 Wairarapa Wanganui South Canterbury ... ... 16 North Otago Wellington B ... 20 Nelson