CLASSICAL OVERTURES

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 14

CLASSICAL OVERTURES

Giants of The Leather Sample Preliminary Fare REVIEW OF YESTERDAY'S FORM (By Cable — From "N.Z. Truth's" Special South African Representative). T TNDER the shadow of the table mountains on a typical South African ground, All Black has clashed with South African m gruelling Rugby overtures.

THE All Blacks had a hard struggle to vrin the opening- match, only the magnificent work of the forwards ensuring victory. Defeat never at any stage seemed likely, but there were times when they had to go all out to preserve the lead intact. On paper, the countrymen were not strong, but, typical of the Western Province representatives, they played with rare dash, tde demoniacal tackling and spoiling methods preventing- the tourists, who had little practice together since landing, from settling down to team work. It was certain that a weakness of the All Blacks was the back play, McGregor being a trifle uncertain m handling at the pivotal position and lack of keenness m marking the opposing insides. The countrymen had an equal share of winnings from the scrum, =, but: mulled the passing, and" m face of the dashing work by Scrimshaw and Dalley, were denied success. Dalley, Lucas and Nicholls all participated m brilliant passing which enabled Robilliard to open the score. The All Blacks gave a semblance of tiring m the second half, when the opposing backs and forwards combined for a spectacular try. For a moment, the homesters' hopes were upraised, but the All Blacks rallied, the forwards .taking charge iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiniiiiiiiimiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiuiiiiiiniiiii

T»nd, winning the scrums, wheeled, carrying the ball m dangerous spectacular rushes instead of back passing-, this proceeding dominating the opponents. The forwards -were brilliant m linebuts, obtaining possession and continually asserting complete mastery m feeding the backs. Finlaysbn was. outstanding m all phase's of the game, masterly m lineout, brilliant m the open, nearly scoring twice m determined dashes, and , using his weight to rare effect. TRIO IN MAJOR KEY Harvey, Brownlie, Hadley ana Swain were solid throughout, always supporting the attacks and assisting m defence. . Indeed, the speed, handling and ability of the All Blacks' forwards were a feature .of the match, particularly after a brilliant breakaway by Robilliard, Swain then swinging into the outside to take the final pass like a brilliant three-quarter. . Dalley was a ibox of tricks round the scrum, bein& ever alert and up to open the blind side', and displaying ingenuity, while Nicholls, unobtrusive m attack was a: trifle uncertain in* placekicking, missing five, of seven penalty placers, and once hitting the. uprights. Both wings', chances wore limited, but showed speed and dash. Liilbourne was sound and workmanlike, 'but not brilliant. The tourists made a highly favorable impression, but the critics -consider the severe task ahead on Saturday , when pitted againfet a powerful team. • ' : Afrikanders yleaving Newlands last week were heard saying: "Wait till Saturday." Maurice Brow.nlie's injury to his ankle is not severe and he will probably play on Saturday. Before 25,000 frantically^, enthusiastic spectators, the All Blacks' all conquering career received a severe check against Town. The -forwards were hopelessly outplayed for possession of .the ball, the proportion being about 4 to 1. The result was that the hacks were starved into playing an almost solely defensive game. The Homesters cleverly devised ascheme of scrummaging, packing three-four-bne formation, thus permitting the South Africans to secure the ball before reaching' the New Zealand hookers. - The tourists' forwards showed a superiority m line-out, which was largely counteracted by the Homesters claiming from the scrums, winning and maintaining the attack, and forcing the All Blacks to fight a sterling rearguard action m their own' twenty-five. Scrimshaw's superb marking and . tackling of . Bennie Osier, the flyhalf, were regarded as an inspiration. The Homesters chiefly checked the movements, forcing Osier—generally a .brilliant. kick — to adopt the policy of' dropping at goal, missing six points somewhat narrowly m the first half and .brother Stanley Osier missing twice. , , _ Osier was shaken by the attentions of the rover, who spoilt the threequarter's attempt to break against sure tackling and defence. ' :. . ' The All /Blacks were only given two good chances m tlie first -half. A splendid; break by Nicholls for a sure try was spoilt by Carleton mulling the pass m front, of the open lineout, but Nicholls, who. was steady and, clever, finally scored after Grensidp

had forced himself OA r er, losing possession. With a view to checking dangerous centre thrusts, the Homesters played an extra three-quarter, and the seven forwards, packing three-four, continued to dominate the scrums, wearing down the tourists' pack, . who were overworked, against fit opponents supported by accurate touch-kicking. SANS HARVEY The forwards missed Harvey, the outstanding Wednesday player standing down owing to a festered knee, which' is not serious. Brownlie, Finlayson and Stewart were magnificent, but clue to too much work m supporting the defence, they were finally completely worn down, fighting heroically against spectacular, Ihrustful three-quarter movemeiits. Johnson made a highly promising debut. Nicholls was inspiring m defence, but did not get many chances m attack, although showing fine thrust and finish. Lilburne made little mistakes and was unsettled. He suffered by a comparison with TindaW. Mostert, the Springbok of 1921, T. G. Osier and Daneel were outstanding Town forwards. All are likely to play m the tests. The tourists were not m a condition to play a severe game of forty miniimiiiiniliiiiiiimiiiniiiniiiiiiiimiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiininiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmtimniii

' utes each, and have not yet found their best form, despite conscientious training since arrival. ALL BLACKS WIN BY 19-10 Against Griqualand West yesterday, the All Blacks forsook their traditional scrum formation, the backs copying the methods of Saturday's' opponents, but again failing to show convincing form against the quick- breaking, light and speedy South Africans. The All Blacks packed 3-4; Ward, Burrows and Snow m the front rank were not whole-heartedly supported by the back row. The result was that the Griquas, packing 3-3-2, won the ball to the proportion of 3 to 2. Forward play was redeemed m the loose by splendid handling', while combined work, together with competent back play, won a strenuous game. Carleton was not played as winger, being utilized as extra three-quarteri The back dispositions of both sidds were the same. The All Blacks were a long time settling down, but this was redeemed by brilliant combined movements of the backs and forwards. Lucas was a clever wing who stemmed the defence. He crosskicked to McWilliams, who scored. Johnson confirmed his fine play Capetown and promises to be the outstanding success of the tour. ; :■ Rushbrook was also in] great form. The All Blacks were worried by the fine line-kicking of the Griquas, but sustained their lead. Lindsay, as full-back, was safe, cool a^id fast, kicking better than Lilburne, whom he threatens to displace. Holtori's successful kicking: inspired the Griquas m the first half. It was not anticipated that the forwards would outlast the defensive tactics and weight of their opponents, but after playing stoutly .to gain 'the lead .the All Blacks were equally ; tired and 0 unable to make much progress against the fierce tackling, sure fielding and clever kicking of their opponents. Carleton enabled Lucas to score and consolidate the position, while Finlaysoh, brilliant m loose stuff, Initiated passing rushes which were finally capped by a splendid solo try. Gathering the boll m the opponents' "25," and dodging well, he scored under the posts. ' -.>..--, Stewart was building up his reputation as the best of the All' Black forwards.. • ' McWilliams made a good debut and was always m the- forefront. Brownlie was slow and ponderous. ■ Kilby, 'Strang and Sheen were workmanlike, but Carleton was uncertain, though occasionally brilliant m attack. His defence was discounted by a mulled pass m the open line after good handling by Rushbrook, Sheen and Strang had beaten the defence. The Griquas were considered weak and are m a lowly position m interprovincial play. The margin of victory was ; disappointing. The All Blacks' play was enhanced by the brilliance of the concerted movements leading, to scores, which promises spectacular team play m the future. The present work of ' the • forwards was somewhat . disappointing and not solid, the chief weakness giving the impression of shirking m the ruck, though shining m the loose. The recognized big men are not yet fit There is a distinct danger 'of premature judgment m face qf the high praise of the New Zealand critics. It is generally anticipated on yesterday's showing that defeat by Transvaal on Saturday is likely.