LETHARGIC TEAM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 6

LETHARGIC TEAM

NEW ZEALAND BEATEN UNIVERSITIES TEST MATCH AUSTRALIANS’ ALERTNESS PA ! WELLINGTON, May 15. A thoroughly-deserved B—3 victory by the Australian University Rugby team over their New Zealand counterparts at Athletic Park on Saturday prdbably came as a shock to many followers of the game in this country. The Australians provided the few scintillating movements of the Test, and in these they threw the ball about among the backs and forwards in a manner that spoke volumes for the handling ability and versatility of the forwards, the alertness and speed of the backs, and the keenness of the teqjn as a whole to open up the play and provide a brand of football which the spectators obviously expected. By comparison, the New Zealanders were lethargic. The hunting of the New Zealand forwards was loose, and there was litle concerted following up of drop-outs and high punts. The backs played for the most part as individuals, seldom varying their play. The man who stole the show was undoubtedly the Australian half. K. Walsh. He capitalised on a weakness in the flanks of the New Zealand middle-row by making lightning thrusts that penetrated deep into New Zealand territory. His passing for the most part was good and shrewd. Emery, outside him. was given every opportunity to dictate largely the trend of the play, and this is precisely what he did. / In the line outs the New Zealanders more than held their own. McKenzie was a splendid counter to the towering Taylor who, nevertheless, performed some outstanding feats in that department. The New Zealand captain. R. C. Stuart, was a tiger for work in the tight, and others who impressed were McDonald and Martin. Harrying by Brockhoff worried the New Zealand inside backs, and Gow did a sterling job providing the Australian backs with a good share of the ball. The New Zealand backs did not show their real capabilities. This was largely due to the urge that seemed to say: “Go on your own, go on your own.” With monotonous regularity Evans, J. M. Tanner and Gilmour responded to that urge —in short, the New Zealand backs never looked like a winning combination. The Australian second five-eighth. Tooth, and the centre. Solomon, played strictly orthodox Rugby, being solid, though never brilliant. Both the Australian tries came from movements that included handling by the forwards and backs. In both the ball almost appeared to be passed at random, but there was always someone there to snap it up When Tanner kicked a penalty for New Zealand to make the score B—3 excitement was intense as the New Zealanders pounded at the Australian defence. However, when it seemed certain that they must score with an overlap, Gilmour attempted to slice through on his own, and the movement was foiled. This was New Zealand's last chance to equalise as the whistle went shortly afterward.