THE RUGBY TEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22352, 28 August 1934, Page 7

THE RUGBY TEST

AUSTRALIAN PRESS COMMENT

A LACK OF INITIATIVE

(United Frees Association.) (By Electric Telegrat-h—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, August 27.

; Commenting on the test, the Herald says: “ Heroic battles between tin? two sets of forwards were the feature of the game. In the second half the persistent battering by the fiery New Zealand vanguard appeared likely to break the plucky defence shown by the Australian eight, but the home side, finishing strongly, steadied the vimful New Zealanders. Kilby, receiving the ball from the scrums regularly, opened up play well, but his supports did not respond with the aid that was expected. During the second spell, when the tourists seemed likely to take the match, the persistent failures of the All Blacks’ backs stopped the ,-goalward march of the New Zealanders. These continued errors must have been heartbreaking-to the forwards, w'ho were doing their work well in both scrums and line outs. Lilburhe was an undoubted improvement on Collins. Page did some bright individual pieces of work, but he also jarred : the combination. His passes were not clean. Griffiths, as fiveeighth, did not give as good an exhibition as Oliver; The three-quarters were below form, but the forwards well up to the standard shown by preceding teams.’’

Stuart Perkins, in the Telegraph, says: “ A draw - was a ■ fair result, for had either had points of margin there would have been little glory in it. One would have thought ' that the points were awarded for lack of initiative, the number of times the ball was kicked, and the regularity with which,possession was shunned. The New Zealand inside backs were unimaginative, the policy of kickjftg being pursued almost to the death, when each side was fighting for the winning points. It was a ease of nothing attempted and a lot undone.” The Labour Daily says: “Although the game was devoid of brilliance, much was seen to tickle the palate of the connoisseur who appreciated full-blooded forward play. The vanguard work of the visitors in the second half was reminiscent of the best All Black standard.” MALCOLM AND ROSS RETIRING SYDNEY, August 27. Both Malcolm and Ross are retiring from Rugby this season. The Telegraph, commenting on this, says: “ Each is retiring when still considered to bo Australia’s best in his position. That is as it should be.”