ALL SQUARE

NZ Truth, Issue 973, 19 July 1924, Page 9

ALL SQUARE

f AU Blacks Win Second Test

A DECISIVE VICTORY.

Combination and Opportunism Decid-

ing Factors.

The 1924 AH Blacks came into their own at Sydney last Saturday, when they rolled home winners by 21 points to 5. It is not too much to say that they made no race of it. The first spell was one feng assault on the Blue defence, and the defence was pierced on six bcoasions. The second half was more* even,* the home team scoring a converted try to the All Blacks' try. Below our special representative m Sydney gives his impressions of the game. ' .-'»■' SYDNEY, July 12. The second test demonstrated what New Zealand hoped for— the vindication of the visitors' reputation. Every individual member to-day realised ihe full responsibility of this supreme contest, and consequently played . above past form. ... The Blacks corrected most of their delinquencies of the" first' test „J Playing more robustly, they established confidence from the actual commencement. . j Their attack was absolutely maintained throughout all the first spell, the Blues being mostly held m defensive measures. '*•■'"'" After half-time the Blues made a great recovery amd fought every inch of the ground. The pace on both sides was at top pressure. ■ . The defence of the Blues was weakened by the inclusion of Buntine and Foote.\ •ihis enabled theßlack backs to show to best advantage, their passing throughcut being vastly improved. Sevenj.l n.ovements, including splendid reverse passing work, were shown during the nuitch— movements with eight men handling. The Blacks entirely dominated the first spell, attacking with great determination. ' Cooke registered the first score within five minutes. , The second- score came within thirteen minutes. •- ... The Blacks. launched terrific forward attacks from : massed" rushes, from rucks and line-outs, thus establishing flne openings which the backs finished with splendid passing movements. The result was a triumph for opportunism and combination. Both Aucklanders, Cooke ' and Lucas, again showed the finest form, particularly the former, his first try being a wonderful individual effort. The forwards, using their- weight effectively, enabled the Blacks to gain most possession m the , scrummages. Dalley fed hip' supports m the most approved fashion. . ' The Blacks excelled m the line-guts. The Black forwards made the play and the backs finished their work. . The game; on standard of play, was hardly on a par with the first test form, the Blues hot reaching '•'■"' the standard except m the second spell. Territorially, the Blacks had almost the entire advantage m the first spell, the Blues being dangerous only m the second. The game was as splendid an ex-' position as was the first test. The game improved as it .progressed. * The improved organisation of the Black backs was most : marked. The general, morale of the team was fiilly restored, everything working harmoniously. ■"■■,"•" The glaring weakness of the day's play was the wretched goal-kick-ing. Three attempts at potting faili ed, and, also another nine efforts from place-kicks missed. The Blacks got most possession m the f-crums, but the referee was somewhat faulty, being too technical. Porter was most conspicuous m all the play, ■ acting more m the capacity cfa half-back and leading the splendid attack. The result of the game was fitting, nnd about demonstrates the difference between the two teams. There should be no doubt about the final. Nepla, although never pressed, made j -several mistakes, and failed badly at I place --kicking. He again speculated at running balls, and was bad at fielding. ■;■'■■ Lucas was consistent, .but was inc'lned to overrun the ball. He was « therwise good. Brown showed splendid form, running brilliantly. Svenson throughout was consistently reliable. Cooke was at top form, making great individual efforts. Nicholls was efflolent. ' Dalley showed brilliant form throughout, both m attack and defence. Porter was leading right throughout the game, cutting off much of the Blue back work. He was unlucky not to score twice. Cupples, Richardson, and White were the best of a fine set of forwards. M. Brownlle was . cautioned for laving Greatorex out, the result of a tackle round the head. Nothling was quite up to his best form. Neither of the Blue fast sprinting wings, Foote an.l Crossmah, were given space to move m. ' Wogan was the most consistent Blue back, with Walker. Sheehan, without Stanley, was not up to his usual high attacking form. Greatorex proved himself a great opportunist, scoring a brilliant try. Thorn kicked the only goal of the day.