THIRD TEST DRAWN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 6

THIRD TEST DRAWN

UNIVERSITIES’ RUGBY

HONOURS DIVIDED

GAME IN HEAVY RAIN PA AUCKLAND, May 29.

Rugby honours between the Australian and New Zealand Universities’ teams ended even after the third and final test match at Eden Park on Saturday, which resulted in a scoreless draw. Conditions for the match could scarcely have been worse, heavy rain, with a strong, driving easterly wind leaving the ground in a water-logged condition, and although the rain eased in the second spell, good combined football was very difficult.

Although New Zealand had the better of the game territorially, the result was a just indication of the merits of the teams. Both sides went close to scoring on a few occasions and New Zealand was unlucky when J M. Tanner, the centre three-quarter, went over near the end in a tackle with an opponent’s hands round him and the ball as he fell to touch down. From the resultant five yards scrum. Australia infringed and from a penalty by the posts, G. J. Moore, the New Zealand full-back, missed the easiest of kicks and the. opportunity to win the match.

The New Zealand forwards set a very fast pace in the loose from the outset, but it was apparent that conditions would later cause a slackening off. Nevertheless, there were some good forward rallies, with the backs chiming in nicely on -occasions, in spite of their being severely handicapped by the conditions.

Honours in the scrums were about even, but many errors were made in the lineouts when players even did not attempt to take the ball cleanly. Both teams were freely penalised in the rucks, scrums and tight play, and these breaches detracted from the general standard. The Australians were over-impetuous in coming round the scrums too quickly, but even so they succeeded frequently in harassing the New Zealand inside backs. It was most unfortunate for the Australians that their captain, N. Emery, was unable to resume after half-time because of an injury. The Australian back who caught the eye, however, was J. Solomon. Fast and heady, he undoubtedly would have been very dangerous on a dry ground. The Australian forwards were a better sei than anticipated in all round play. Several showed exceptional speed and were quick in support and good in the loose at times, and tackled well. The New Zealand forwards were good in the loose, but the team generally failed in its tactics in giving the backs possession when other methods would nave been beneficial. J. M. Tanner, the centre, was the best back. The University forwards as a set did no* compare too favourably with vanguards of previous" New Zealand teams.