NOTES ON THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 62

NOTES ON THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

(From Oub Own Cobkesfondent.) SYDNEY, July 21. The match against Australia was timed to start at 3 p.m., and about 3.30 p.m. a visiting enthusiast informed the assembled pressmen that the ,New Zealand team " arrived in Sydney at 3 o'clock." From a playing point of view this was quite correct, as yesterday the men for the first time showed their true form and gave the spectators a taste of their quality. The match was played under the most favourable conditions, there being- an entire absence of wind or sun, while the turf was in fine condition. The attendance was quite as large as on the previous Saturday, though not quite as enthusiastic. Some thousands of persons sat through the match with their hats off, the spectators in tfie background having insisted on this being done in order that they might see the play more clearly. When a Sydney crowd invites you to sit down or take your hat off it is well to do co at once. It is somewhat of a puzzle to account for the vastly different performances of the team on Wednesday and yesterday. On Wednesday they seemed as slow and clumsy as a _ back-blodis team, while yesterday they were full of dash and vim, and displayed science of a high order. Undoubtedly the team felt that to make a success of the tour the match had to b& won, and they wound themselves up for a supreme effort. Only in one department of the game they did suffer by comparison with former teams, and that was- in the following up by the forwards, which was not quite so effective as some of our teams have shewn in the past. As a result of previous failures to get the ball in the scrum Hughes was put into the team, and the move was attended with great success, he and Casey giving the backs more than their share of the ball. As a result of this the home team soon abandoned their practice of taking a scrum instead of a line-out, and in the latter department of the game they were badly beaten, our forwards securing possession and passing back to Robert*, Hunter, or Mynott very effectively. From the kick-off the Blacks attacked strongly, and inside of three minutes had scored their first try, Francis emerging from some loose play and giving Seeling a neat pass, which enabled him to score. The second try (Mitchinson's) was the result of the finest piece of individual play in the game. Just outside the half-way M'Donald sent the ball to Mynott, who "handed it on to Mitchinson, the colt racing through the Blues with Wallace in attendance. On reaching the full back he feinted to pass, and, fooling him badly, touched down, amidst a great outburst of cheering. His second try was, as a contrast, the outcome of absolutely the best piece of concerted play of the day. Francis shot the ball out to Hunter, from whom it travelled to Roberts, Mitchinson, and Wallace, then back to Mitohinson, who ran in. Hughes's try was the result of a sharp pass from Seeling, the Southlander, though tackled on the line, forcing his way over. Hunter was the mainspring of Mitchinson's third try, as after receiving the ball from M'Donald he streaked for the right-hand corner, and with the opposition drawn that way, suddenly reversed and, running strongly in the opposite direction, handed on the ball »t the right moment and enabled Mitchinson to ecore in i good position. The final try was the result of dashing play, from which the übiquitous Francis emerged and brushed the last defender aside. As may be imagined, our forwards gave a fine display of football, and quite domij nated the play. While they- all played well, the palm muet certainly be given to Francis. He was easily the most prominent player on the ground, his work on the line-out being a treat to watch, while he wae always to be seen in the forefront of the loose rushes and, generally speaking, was never off the ball except when it was in the air. Johnston, Seeling, and M'Donald were worthy supporters, but there was not a weak player in the pack. Casey and Hughes were matched well in the front of the scrum, and quite beat the opposing three at hooking the ball. Coleman was dashing-, and troubled the Blue backs very much until he was compelled to leave the field through an injury to his head. The backs playod finely all through, and at times were quito brilliant. Roberts was always in the thiekc-st of the fray and showed us what a really fine half

he is. Hunter and Mynotfr combined splendidly, the former being a trifle the more brilliant of the pair, some of his dashes being meteoric. Mynott made some fine openings, and found the line in great style. The three-quarter line could not have been improved upon, Wallace and Mitchineon giving the most effective displays. In -justice to Fryer it must be said that he did not get as much work as the other two, but what he had to do was done in a tradeamanlike manner. He scored one fine try, which was disallowed on account of the slightest knock-on, and on another occasion he miesed a try by a foot after a dashing burst following ona centred kick. The two Poneke players had a busy afternoon, and came through it with flying colours, fielding, running, passing, and tackling perfectly. Booth consistently found the line, and except that at times his kicks lacked vigour he played a sound game. The home team played as well as their opponents allowed them to. .On the day i they were outclassed, and seldom looked dangerous. Though the game was played in an admirable spirit, there were plenty of hard knocks and injuries. Two ofc the home team's forwards were compelled to leave the field, and were replaced by substitutes Coleman got rather «■ nasty, kick on the head, and bad to retire, his place being taken by Spenoer. Mynott had' the webbing of his hand split, but pluckily played on after having it attended to. A fresh referee handled the game, and though he. was impartial enough, his rulings were somewhat puzzling to our forwards, as may be imagined when It is noted that the home team were granted 18 free kicks as against our two.^He kept well up to the play, and gave both sides fair play as regards putting the ball in the scrums and " feet up." Gillett and O'Sullivan are still unable to play, though the latter will probably be fit for Wednseday next. The hard grounds are upsetting the men very much, and now that Coleman and Mynott are disabled we have none too many. men. The manager has therefore invited Nicholson, who is here on a visit, to form one of the party, and he will accompany 1 the team to Brisbane. 1 The attendance for the three matches has aggregated 123,000, and the gate receipts have amounted to £5900. The team leaves for Brisbane at 5.30 p.m. to-day, and reaches that city at 9.20 on Monday night. J BRISBANE, July 26. The Rugby Union indignantly scouts the idea of abandoning the fchird test match in order to permit of another match. between New Zealand and New SoutH Wales. i