RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19527, 9 July 1925, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACKS v. COMBINED TEAM. WIN FOR THE FORMER. fPss United Peess Association.) WELLINGTON, July 8. Unfavourable weather was experienced for the match between the All Blacks and the combined WeUington-Horowhenua-Mana-watu team. The game was won by New Zealand by 25 points to 11, In the first spell the combined team had the wind in its favour, and had the better of the game, scoring 11 points to the All Blacks nil, but in, the second half the national side turned the tables in a manner most convincing. The combined team made several desperate spurts that called for the best defensive tactics, but in the main they had to give way to the irresistible forward rushes by Finlayson, Donald, Walters, Dickson, and company. Those players were perhaps the most prominent of the New Zealand vanguard, although all played well. Finlayson was the best forward on the ground. In the backs Johnson and _ the three-quarters—Elvy, Blake, and Wise—were the most conspicuous. Porter and S. Shearer wore the combined team’s most consistent workers as far as forwards were concerned. Jacob and Moynihan showed up occasionally. Of the backs, Svenson, Nioholls, and Brophy were the pick. Warwick played a plucky game, and Love was as solid ae a rook. The teams took the field as follows; New Zealand.—Pull-back, Harris: threequarters—Wise, Blake, Elvy; five-eighths— Corkill, L. Johnson; half, Wright; wingforward, J. Donald (captain); hookers — Lomas, Kirkpatrick; lock. Rich ton : side supports—Finlayson, Walters; back row — Knight, Dickson. Combined Team.—Pull-back, Akuira; three-quarters—Svenson, Brophy, Leader; five-eighths—Love, Nicholls; half, Warwick ; wing-forward, Porter (captain); hookers —S. Shearer, B. Wilson; lock, Tuna : side supports—J. Shearer, Moynihan; back row—Russell, Jacob. Combine?] attacked first. Just as the Blacks had got their opponents out of their territory, however, they were penalised. Mark Nicholls kicked a fine goal Combined, 3; New Zealand, nil. A serum five yards from the line saw Warwick whip out the ball. .It travelled out to Brophy, who scored near the'posts. Nicholls easily converted. Combined, 8, New Zealand, nil. Porter commenced a passing rush by sending the ball to Warwick. The halfback changed the venue of the attack unexpectedly and in-passed to Love. The last-named drew two men and sent on to BrOphy, who crossed, with Leader ready to take a pass if required. The kick was too much for Nioholls. Combined, 11; New Zealand, nil. New Zealand were on the job quickly when the game was resumed. In three minutes they had scored eight points, and in six minutes their score was 11. From the kick-off the forwards carried the ball before them. Donald dribbled over the line and scored near the posts within half a minute of the start. Johnson converted. Combined, 11; New Zealand, 5. New Zealand scored again almost at once. This time it was Finlayson who did the damage with a great solo dribbling rush. He went right through the opposition and scored. It was a magnificent piece of play. Johnson’s kick failed. Combined, 11,, New Zealand 8. Tho All Blacks again pressed, and Blake soored. Johnson’s kick flow off the side of his boot. Combined, 11: New Zealand, 11. After interesting play line-outs and scrummages followed, until the All Blacks were penalised. Nicholls failed to get the line. Blake cross-kicked back for Jacob to mark. The kick failed to vivo relief. From an ensuing scrum Wright dived round on tho blind side .and scored. Finlayson’s kick did. not rise. New Zealand, 14; Combined, 11,

A fine dribbling rush by Jacob saw Blake clear with a speculator. Svenson stemmed a retaliatory rush by a mark, but again they were swept back. Righton was on the ball when a bunch of Black forwards fell over the line. Dickson con-verted. New Zealand, 19; Combined, 11. Almost immediately afterwards came another irresistible • Black rush, and Finlayeon scored. ! Dickson’s kick foil short. New Zealand, 22; Combined, 11. The next All, Black rush was held up by stubborn defence, but over the line they tumbled again, and this time Walter was on the ball. Dickson missed the kick, and the teams left the field with the suore:— Now Zealand 25 points. Combined ll points. Mr Thompson (Palmerston North) was referee. PROPOSED MAORI TOUR. , SUGGESTED VISIT TO FRANCE. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The Maori Advisory Board, which at the direction of the New Zealand Rugby Union is studying the interests of Rugby football among the Maoris, is keen to send a Native team abroad next season, and, as the result of the recent conference at which Sir Maui Pomare (Minister of Health) and Hon. A. T. Ngata, M.P., were present, a decision on the point was made. Mr W. T. Parata, honorary member of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Management Committee at present in Wellington, stated that France would be made the foundation of the proposed tour. A visit to France next season would not clash with the French visit to New Zealand, which is set down for the following, year; in fact, a visit from the Maoris next year would be very opportune so far as France was concerned. The idea was to play about 15 matches in France, then make a tour of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. There would be from 25 to 28 matches for the whole tour. No stone is being left unturned to make the tour possible, and from information already before the Maori Advisory Board, no difficulties are anticipated in the matter of finance. The New Zealand Rugby Union is being advised of the decision of the Maori Advisory Board. It, is hoped that the proposal will be made known to the French Rugby authorities without delay. REFEREES’ MATCH. The following have been chosen to represent the Otago referees in their annual match against the Southland referees at Invercargill on Wednesday next;—B. Oliver, W. Duff, J. Aitcheson, W. Jenkins, I. Grant, A. Hodge, J. Sutherland (captain), R. Herd, R. Watson, W. Connor, W. Renwick, D. Boreham, AV. Jones, J. Pifleld, and R. J. Smith.