LOSING THEIR KICK

NZ Truth, Issue 1227, 6 June 1929, Page 16

LOSING THEIR KICK

Aussies Hopelessly Outclassed (From "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) Play of a markedly inferior order characterised the first test match between the Australian Universities fifteen, and the combined New Zealand Varsity fifteen, played last Saturday on the Oval at Lancaster Park. TT resulted, m a win for New Zealand •*• by fifteen points to three. After the severe drubbing administered to the visitors by Canterbury College the previous Wednesday, it was remarkable that as many as nine thousand people turned out to see the test, which was something of a foregone 'conclusion. • . ■ The announcement thai the visitors would be fielding a strengthened fifteen raised the hopes of the fans, who thought that they would at leasjt. see a fast and thrilling exhibition. Disappointment reigned. New Zealand, though their backs committed many mistakes and infringements, played a fair game, and a fair game was enough to inflict decisive defeat on the Australians, whose exhibition was very poor. For New Zealand, Houghton and McClymont, at second five-eighths and centre, were a little uncertain, but they made genuine efforts- to break through and make openings for their wings. The Australian forwards were keen, but .the diamond scrum held them, and the New Zealand vanguard on many occasions broke through into an attacking position. Leys was m good form behind the .New Zealand scrum, and outside him, Me-. Kenzie and Hbughton, though they indulged m some bad handling, were on the whole, an effective pair. McClymont played an in-and-out game, shining at times on attack. The wingers, Loveridge and Mackay, were good, Loveridge being more solid on defence. Bush was a good last line of defence. Forward, New Zealand was- good all round, Jolly, Hindenach, Deidrich, and Smith being perhaps the best of an even bunch. ; Lamport, the visiting: skipper, was not up to his, best form behind the 3-2-3 scrum, and Nicholas was unimpressive. The centres, Barker and D. K. Kennedy, were flashy, and far from solid, lacking understanding of each other's >game. ■ Danger and A. K. Kennedy played satisfactorily on the wings, Kennedy especially impressing. -' iMcMullan. at full-back, was easily the best player for the Australians. He was safe all the time, and brought off. some most creditable recoveries. The game made it evident that the visitors must improve their ■combination out of all knowledge if they would wish to get anywhere near a victory m their remaining matches.