Auckland v. Wellington.

NZ Truth, Issue 115, 31 August 1907, Page 3

Auckland v. Wellington.

Notes by "Substitute." It was with mingled feelings that the Wellington enthusiast took Ms seat at the Athletic Park on Saturday last. He knew his team included four of the All Black back combination and the remainder were all .well-tried men, but of the forwards —what of Hi "an ?-r-they were an unknown quantity. The critics almost .without exception had condemned them as slow and lacking m vigoryet there was a hopeful feeling, for were they not young as far as representative records go ?—And was it not a fact . that the untried, adversely criticised, generally came out on top ? Hold them ! was the instruction, or rather . exhortation given, and from the very jump the Wellington forwards showed that they thoroughly understood their mission. True, they had no pretension to anything approaching brilliancy, but individually and collectively they toiled, unceasingly, and to them the victory was m a large measure due. At only one period of the game did they "appear beaten—late m the second spell, wlrc-n ' the Aucklanders, from the line out systematically played;, the "knock on and . break through" tactics to perfection, Francis scoring from one of these little happenings. Taken all round, the game was nlayed m good spirit, but hard knocks were given and taken, and m the closing stages, especially, things were very willing. The way the ■black vanguard were holding its end up m the rough stuff was evidently a scource of great delight. to the crowd on the bank. Both teams played a system—, Auckland with two wing forwards, .though Hall was programmed as a five-eighth, were content to keep things tight right r through, while Wellington, with the two five-eighth game, followed the same practice m their own ground, but when well inside their opponents side of the halfway flag, opened up to the best of their ability. The Auckland vanguard was a very solid body, but did not have the dash and devil of previous blue and .white brigades. Francis, though a trifle spasmodic, .was m great form—it was a superb ( dash that gained him hfis try.. His punting for touch was quite a feature of the match. Haywar-d, McDonald and Hall were all prominent, the latter two were a very busy pair of wingers. The game decided on by the 'Auckland skipper made ' for the starvation of Ms back team; and they had no opportunity of showing; their attacking capabilities. They were very unconvincing, their taking especially being very weak. No doubt having the sun right m their eyes m the first spell bothered them a Rood deal, though the Wellington skipper was evidently not cognisant of the fact. Millen was weak at full-back,, and ,the others were pa,tchyr For Wellington, the rearguard gave an exhilarating display, and made the most of their not too numerous phances. George Spencer played one of his best games, fielding and kicking m good style. Anderson scored his two tries lirll-. liantly. In the first half he made the mistake of trying ito take the ball on the "Easy, one hand principle." The greasy ball euchred him, and on one occasion robbed his side of a try. Mitchinson gave his usual neat display, but lost two certain tries by not passing at the right moment. He badly 'beat the full-back and scored 'his try beautifully; tout after receiving a wigging from Francis the, said full-hack was taking no more risks,

and was bent, on . grassing Mitcbie at every opportunity. You must not expect all the limelight, Mitchinson. Ryan was idle nearly all the afternoon, and did not seem at home. Inside iive-eightbs, Ryan, with Read on the right wing . threeqiuarteri, would have been a much, more convincing combination. Wallace was very, solid and played a hard game. Cleary put up a very fair game, but is not classy enough at present. He lost his head badly on the occasion when he booted the ball into his opponents' touch-in-goal flag. Roberts was the hero of the match. He encouraged his forwards hv word and deed, and when the Auckland vanguard did break through thjy found m him a veritable stonewall. Those critics who had demanded the inclusion of a light-wei^lit scrum half must have pondered deeply. He did an immense amount of work and received much attention from Ijjs opponents. On. every favorable opportunity he sent his backs away, and gave an example of bis slimness when he made those .quick centering kicks— the visitors were fairly caught napping, and but for . Mitehinson knocking-on oh one occasion a.ftcore would have most probably resulted. King, as a wing-forward, gave a very fine display and was busy all day. The frontrankers hooked every time things were equal, Ready playing his usual vigorous — very vigorous on this occasion — game, and Jordan a great game for Jordan. Rush played a magnificent game, and was great everywhere— holding his scrum well, bustlinig m the tight and boWbdng up serenely m the losse stuff. Wilson was m great fettle m the loose, and did not shirk the Touch stuff. His line work was excellent, and Francis and, Co. were cot slow m wakening to the fact. Alexander was seldom seen. He has n6 pret-entions to loose play, but there is no more bones't worker m the tight. He puts m every ounce. . Jack Spencer was "out for it"— that is quite sufficient- Like his Auckland opponent, he took a Pull, occasionally, but it was generally the forerunner of an extr a vigorous burst. .Calcinai played a good hard game, and tackled and followed up m good style. The Wellington pack found it hard work pushina; against the weighty pack opposed to them, but one or two of them should remember that even though they have successfully hooked Ihe ball the shove should still be maintained. They eased up too soon ibadly on occasions.