Runaway Victory Scored by All Blacks In First Match of Tour

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26479, 5 June 1947, Page 7

Runaway Victory Scored by All Blacks In First Match of Tour

Rec. 0.30 a.m. CANBERRA, June 4. The All Blacks made a promising beginning in their Australian tour, beating a combined team at Canberra by 58 points to 11. Most Canberra observers agree that they are quite as impressive as the 1938 All Blacks, who won by 57 points to 5 at Canberra. The big difference is that these All Blacks are opening their tour,, whereas the 1938 All Blacks were just finishing theirs and were then at the top of their form. The All Blacks showed an almost reckless eagerness to pass the ball, and at times this recklessness brought trouble. In the second half there were some tackling lapses, but on the whole the team was impressive in most departments. The line-out play revealed faults, but rucking ability could not be judged as the referee halted rucks whenever they started.

Scott played magnificently at fullback, in addition to kicking wonderfully. The wings, McLean and Argus, were both impressive, Argus particularly so because he scored more difficult tries. Goddard gave thrust to the attack, but his defence was not on the ■ same high plane. Allen was good until he went out hurt at half time: Kearney, who look his place, was sound without being spectacular. Tetzlafl fed his 'backs well with good straight passes. Among the forwards, Thornton was prominent in the open, and Grant and Simpson in such rucking play as the referee allowed. Catley hooked the ball almost every time, except when the opposing team collapsed the scrum. The speed of the All Blacks, both back and forward, was most * impressive, surprising the Australians who had heard that the Wallabies outpaced the All Blacks last year in New Zealand. About 5000, a big crowd for Canberra, saw the game, which was played on fast, firm turf. The combined team, which included four Sydney players and one Victorian, had the better of the play for 15 minutes. Then Scott ran up from full-back and started a movement which went out to Argus. The ball then travelled back to the other wing for McLean to .score. It

was a classic try, • with almost every member of the team handling the ball. Scott topped it off with a perfect goal from the side line. The All -Blacks then bewildered the opposition with brilliant passing movements, and the half-time score was 31—nil. "Rapid Scoring The combined team took charge for 15 minutes in the second half and put on 11 points. The All Blacks then rallied, and again indulged in another feast of scoring from whirlwind passing. Scorers in order were: McLean (2), Goddard, Argus, Grant, Allen, Argus (tries in the first half), McLean, Argus, McLean, Argus, Couch, Argus (tries in the second, half). Scott converted eight and kicked a penalty goal. Although the combined team was not strong, the All Blacks’ display, after only four training runs, was most creditable. Their evident desire to play bright, open football was very pleasing to the spectators. Rankin, the pre-war Australian representative, scored a.try and defended well for Combined. In one fierce dive, he temporarily knocked out Couch. The young Maori fiveeighth was one of the successes in a highly pleasing first day for the All Blacks. Australians are now inclined to reverse the opinion that New South Wales will beat New Zealand easily on Saturday. The were somewhat spasmodic 'in their efforts, but;' perhaps this is understandable as training hgs so far been impeded by wet weather and the players not being fully fit. Another practice has been called for to-morrow morning when Mr Norman McKenzie will devote attention to the faults apparent to-day. The team will return to Sydney to-morrow afternoon and train again on Friday. Nevertheless, it will not be surprising if the fitness of the New South Wales team turns out to be one of the All Blacks’ big hurdles on Saturday. Replacements were allowed- up to half-time to-day, but the practice for the tour has not yet been settled. The Australians want replacements up to half-time, but the All Blacks favour replacements throughout the whole game or not at all. -* The general opinion is that Couch will develop into a good five-eighth. He took advantage of every opportunity to-day, making the most of gaps left by the defence, and creating several fine openings. The New South Wales selectors watched the game, and it is expected that the break-aways will devote special attention to Couch if he plays on Saturday. Allen was still limping to-night, and it is not certain yet whether he will be fit on Saturday. A workmanlike opposing forward to-, day was E. Davis, the Victorian frontranker who is a candidate for the test team against the All Blacks. Another outstanding man in the opposition was A. Pooley, a 15st former heavy-weight boxing champion in the A.I.F. There was pouring rain in Sydney again today and it is certain that the ground for Saturday’s match will be heavy. Allen’s Injury An earlier message said that Allen pulled a thigh muscle during training and early in the day he was having heat treatment at the Canberra Hospital. The injury was several days old but did not manifest itself until Tuesday afternoon.