H. E. NICHOLES AND “TEDDY” ROBERTSRIVAL HALF-BACKS OF 1921 TESTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24697, 28 August 1941, Page 4

H. E. NICHOLES AND “TEDDY” ROBERTSRIVAL HALF-BACKS OF 1921 TESTS

TN recollections of the first test A match between the Springboks and New Zealand, decided at Carisbrook on August 13, 1921. and the part played in it by Jack Steel, a Christchurch writer has evidently relied upon his memory in one instance, and, as often happens, memory has played him false Says the northern writer:—“ Little wonder that Jack Steel, of Greymouth. was awarded a gold medal for being the ‘ best back on the ground.’ He was without a doubt.”

Says the Otago Daily Times of August 15, 1921:—“At the dinner to the teams on Saturday night Mr J. S McLeod, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, stated that the New

Zealand Sportsmen’s Association had presented medals to the best back and forward on the ground in each of the three tests, and the selectors had informed him that the best back was H. E. Nicholls and the best forward ‘ Baby ’ Michau. Those two play-

ers were therefore the winners of the two medals.” The Otago Daily Times football writer of that day was not enamoured of H, E. Nicholls’s exhibition in the first test, and said so. As a matter of fact he was not very complimentary regarding the play of any of the New Zealand rearguard, and he pointed out that only on about two occasions did the ball come from a scrum to the wing three-quarters. He mentioned, however. Steel's sterling defence. It is interesting to record that in the second and third tests “ Teddy ” Roberts replaced H. E. Nicholls, and in this connection the Otago Daily Times writer had this to say after the first test:—“ I am a firm admirer of Teddy Roberts as a halfbacks I consider he is a better halfback than H. E. Nicholls. The South Africans are a hard team to beat, and the best team has to be selected for the second and /third tests. Ido not think that the New Zealand team that played on Saturday was the best that could have been selected.”

As stated, Roberts replaced H. E. Nicholls at half-back in the second test, in which the New Zealanders were beaten, and he also played at halfback in the drawn third test, in which he really §aved the game. No important match probably has ever been played under such watery conditions. Heavy rain fell from its start to its finish. There was no talk of postponement. as the Springboks had to leave for home on the following Sunday or Monday. It was indeed a game of giants in the mud, with the thousands of spectators strung to the highest pitch of tension. But about "Teddy" Roberts, that wonderful anticipator. The Springboks were hammering away at the All Blacks’ line when the stalwart forward. F. W. Mellish, secured the ball from a scramble and fell across the line. He landed, however, on his back, and the watchful Roberts was standing over him as he fell. In a flash Roberts had snatched the ball out of his hands, and the New Zealand supporters breathed with relief as the try was saved. This game was unique in the fact that it was refereed automatically in the last few minutes. The referee (Mr A. E. Neilson) had been caught between two opposing forwards as they dashed for the ball, and he fell to the ground. He resumed shortly after, but when he had blown the final whistle—his time was quite correct—he had to receive medical attention, and it was then discovered that he was quite unconscious of his surroundings, and it was some time before he became normal. Dr W. R. Fea, five-eighth, stated that he had secured a mark right in- front of the goal in the last minute or two, but it was not awarded. As a matter of fact, the referee afterwards admitted that he had no recollection of any appeal for a mark. It was a great game, and on the run of the play no one could have found fault with the result.