AUCKLAND BEAT AUSTRALIANS.

NZ Truth, 7 June 1924, Page 12

AUCKLAND BEAT AUSTRALIANS.

The Australian, 'Varsity team were seen m action m their first match, of the tour at Auckland on Wednesday, when they were defeated by the local representatives by* 15 points to 7. The first half of the game did not find the visiting combination at their best, and although they showed more team work m the second spell the failure of some of the backs to pass the ball' offset the efforts of the others. When they have played two or three matches the Australians should be able to improve on their showing on Tuesday.

H. C. Finn, the full-back, played very well m the early stages^ of the game, although to'wnrds the. end lie was caught with th;e ball too , many times. ■"'■'' -

E. Ryan, on the wing, played fairly and kicked well. - f \ : '

A. O'Rourke is a good stamp of player, but wants to remember that he is not the whole' team. !

The half-backs ' played well against the heavy forwards, but should have thrown the ball out'" to their backs more often.

Moxon, Darragh and Halbertstater were the pick of tho visitors' pack. For Auckland, Dufty was a good man to stop, the rushes. , - , B." Davidson was the pJck of the three-quarters, while Ldlng and Wetherill, at five-eighths, were both solid on defence. In attacking these two were hanging on to the ball too much.

McDonald was the best of tho local forwards, and he was ably assisted by Avery, Stormont and Townshend.