RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 17

RUGBY

IN Sydney they call the All Blacks the “Clydeidated.” The name seeing to fit, when it is remembered that they gave away 19 penalty kicks in the first Tost. Tho question is: Can fifteen men who give away 19 ponallio in a game bo called a Rugby team*' To say that New South. Wales were delighted at winning the first Test is to put it tamely. Few of the spectators gave them a chance of winning. Tho spectators had como to see the All Black combination of 1924. But alter the first scrum went down, and New South Wales hooked tho ball—and hooked it again and again—then tho crowd became excited. • • * * ‘‘The team was carefully selected to carry out a special tactical plan of campaign against the All Blacks, whose individual play and team methods aro «o well- known.” said “Tommy” Bosward, the State selector. “The placing of tho team in quarters gave us the opportunity of working along these pre-arranged lines with the greatest effectiveness. The team entered into the spirit of the preparation, and the discussions and blackboard illustrations followed as they were in the field work practice, left the men with the keynote of confidence ability, by terrific speed and untiring tackling, to hold tho opposition at bay. Success in the hooking was imperative, and Hooker Blackwood and his supports did all that was asked of them.'*

treason! “Now South Wales put it all over us in the scrum.” said C G Porter, captain of the All Blacks (rethe Sydney “Telegraph” after the first Test). “It’s up to New Zealand to realise that the 3-front scrum can heat tho two. New Zealand hookers most of tho time.” Porter, too, was eulogistic of tho manner in which the New South Wales team played. “New South Wales must have taken careful stock of our- men and -our methods. Wo could scarcely get moving. It s tho first time I can remember when we have failed to dominate a game.” It is not often suoh frank, free criticism is given forth bv New Zealanders whoso status in the game is so high'as that of tho All Blacks’ cantain. *' ' • » • ’ • -v.

In- v the - New South Wales dressingroom, after the team had dressed, there was a remarkable assembly of tho .ex-international' and State players anxious to speak a word of congratulation to the plucky men who had won such renown earlier in tho day (reports the" “Telegraph”). Captain W. T. Watson (M.M. and bar), D. 5.0., captain of the famous A.I.F. team,, accompanied by that team’s full-back. Lieutenant (Dr) J. B. Beith, down from-Gunnedah to see the fray, were among the first. A. C. Wallace, Ward Prentice (190 S Wallabies), Dr Howard" Bullock, and an Irish international medico friend; Harald Baker, who played ‘ in many positions for New South Wales; H. D. Wood, president, and ex-S‘tnte full-back; C. G. Porter, All Blacks’ captain, and Mark Nich-

olls, his deputy, together with Manager Harry Leith, all did honour to the well-merited victory by tho youthful New South Wales team. * * * *

This is the second time “Snowy” Svcnson has been to Sydney, but last Saturday was his first game there. In 1924 Svonson contracted measles soon after his arrival, and the only excitement lie got was to see his comrades flashing past the private hospital where lie was an inmate, in their Rugby cars, en route to the various games and entertainment ancl official functions. This year lie arrived with what was apparently a boil on a knee. It became worse, and the honorary medical officers of tho union were then called in. It was found to be a case of blood poisoning, but treatment has put matters right. Southland lias had a mortgage on the vice-captaincy of New Zealand teams. There was not a ,single team in the history of Dominion Rugby football that has visited the Old Country which did not include at least ono Southlander who was deputy for his skipper on tho playing fields of the Old World. Away back in the ’eighties, when the first Maori team was making a name for itself on the football grounds of- Old England, the late George Williams, some time resident of Southland, led the side in several of its matches when the late Joe Warbrick, of Auckland, was having a spell. Bill S'tead was vice-cap-tain of the famous 1905 team, skippered by the late Dave Gallaher. Vicecaptain of the 1924 All Blacks was the massive Scotsman, “Jock” Richardson. And when Porter and Richardson were both having & spell together in a minor match, it was another Southlander, “Son” White, who skippered the team Now, in 1926, another Southlander, Ray Bell, has been chosen to act as deputy-captain of the Maori team • Bill Stead was also vice-captain of tire 1910 Maori team, and “Son” White was second in command of the New Zealand team which defeated New South Wales at Wellington in 1923. And in 1905, when both Gallaher and Stead wore away in England, it was another Southlander, G. Burgess, who led a second New Zealand team to victory against New South Wales in Dunedin. The late Mr “Dick” McGregor, the New Zealand representative, to whjJse memory the All Blacks in Sydney laid -a, wreath, died in Sydney on November , % 22pd, 1925. He was ’classed among ,ihe ; most versatile exponents of the code, having represented in the centre-three-quarter and full-back positions, and for Auckland against New South Wales, in 1901, as five-eighth. A native of Thames, his football fame commenced in that district. Representing Auckland Province in 1898-9, 1900-1-2-3*4, and the North Island in 1902-3. In 1901 for New Zealand against New South Wales at Wellington. He was a member of the 1903 team that visited New South Wales and Queensland, j which many followers of the game com- j sidered was one of the strongest teams tlfat "has visited Australia. The British team in 1904 (Captain D. R. Bedell-Sivright) found in “Dick” a formidable opponent, New Zealand winning by 9 points to 3; Auckland also i defeated them by 13 points to nil. His! widow, son. and daughter reside in Sydney.