THIRD TEST

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10918, 20 August 1928, Page 5

THIRD TEST

THRILLING EXHIBITION ALL BLACKS BEATEN. United Press Assn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. PORT ELIZABETH, August 18. In a. thrilling and brilliant exhibition of Rugby South Africa beat New Zealand in the third test by three tries, one converted (11 poimts) to two tries (6 points) to-day. It was a great win for the Springboks, being th.® first time a Springbok side lias ever won a test at Port Elizabeth. Right up till the call of time it was anybody’s game. It was surprisingly good football for a test match. Both sides made the game as open as possible with the result that the backs were frequently carrying out spectacular and thrilling movements. The tackling of both sides was as sound as it could possibly be. The ground was in fine condition and the day was perfect for Rugby. There was a deafening roar from a crowd of 20,000 when the teams took the field and gave their war cries. Brownlie lost the toss and kicked off. The Springbok forwards at once made a hot attack. They swept to the New Zealand line where Carleton, attempting to clear threw the ball back to Lindsay who missed it. Nel dived on the ball and scored a try, which Osier converted. With five points up in four minutes th© Springboks made things merry. Van der Westliuizen effected a fine break but determined, tackling by Lindsay and Robilliard smashed the attack.

Good work by Swain, McWilliams, Hadley and Hazlett, and a clever line kick by Johnson put New Zealand right on the South African line. In the throw-in Finlayson got possion, passed to Stewart, who made a determined dive and scored with three Springboks hanging on to him. Lindsay’s kick hit the upright and bounced infield : Springboks 5 —3. Back went New Zealand to the attack. Dailey sent his backs away and th© ball travelled beautifully out to Grenside who dashed hard down tlie line to be soundly clowned by Tindall. A great forward rush by the Springboks in which Mostert, Pretorius, Van Druten and Daneel were at the head ended when Lindsay snapped the ball from their feet and found touch past half-way. There was some electric football in the next few minutes. First New Zealand and then the Springbok backs opened out in beautiful passing movements. Another fine burst by the local forwards took play to the New Zealand line. Van Druten shot out from the ruck and passed to Osier, Rousseau, Van der Westliuizen and finally De Jongli. The last-named raced hard for the corner and scored amid tumultuous cheers. Osier missed the kick at goal: Springboks B—3.8 —3. There were some fireworks among the backs in the next few minutes. Johnson made a great cut in and opened up a movement which went half the length of the field. Working with cohesion and design the New Zealand forwards, led by Brownlie and Hazlett, swept down the field in a brilliant forward rally. There was a scrum near the Springbok line. Dailey made a brilliant break round the scrum and passed to Grenside who forced hiis way over. Lindsay’s kick missed by inches: Springboks 8-—6. Half-time came a minute later. With a whirlwind forward rush New Zealand started the second spell by pressing hard on the Sjjringhok line. The All Blacks continued to storm the African citadel but they were up against rock-like defence. Then came a great dribbling rush by the Springbok forwards in which Mostert and Van Druten shone. Slowly they worked play to the New Zealand line where Rousseau made a dash which looked dangerous, but Lilburne and Johnson with solid tackles saved.

A scrum was put down five yards from the line. The Springboks secured possession, heeled the ball, and Daneel went over tlie line. Osier’s kick went wide: Springboks 11—6-

New Zealand immediately started a fine offensive. Johnson, Carleton and Grenside went away in a brilliant passing movement. A minute later Grenside intercepted and cut clean away with a great swerve. He beat Tmdall and a try looked certain, but Rousseau with an amazing burst of speed tackled him from behind.

The Springboks went bac-k to the attack and it took New Zealand’s best defence to keep them out. In th© last minute of the game Lilburne made a brilliant break through the scrum. He passed to Hazlett, thence to Swain, who sent the ball infield to Grenside. With sparkling dash the Hawke’s Bay winger went hard for the line. He dived at the corner but Brand, who had come flying across from the other wing, and Tindall, threw him out.

There was a great demonstration by the huge crowd wlien the final whistle sounded. They swarmed oil to the field and carried Mostert shoulder high to the dressing room. They cheered and shouted and sang “For they are jolly good fellows.” Mostert was forced to make a short speech

outside tlie pavilion where fully 10.000 people collected. It was an amazing demonstration of enthusiasm.

The New Zealand forwards played a great game, scrummaging effectively. The Springboks relied on their traditional scrummaging to counter Stewart as loose head. New Zealand won 17 scrums and South Africa 28. A surprising feature was tlie fact that tlie New Zealanders were beaten in the department of the game for which they are noted. The Springboks won 31 line-outs and New Zealand 21. Seven penalties were awarded to the All Blacks and ten to the Springboks.

Lindsay played his usual cool, reliable game, with length and accuracy. The three-quarter line, Grenside, Carleton and Robilliard, were in good form. They attacked with fine determination and their dQfence was always solid. Johnson and Lilburne went well together at fiveeiglitlis. Johnson varied his plav nicely but was inclined to short punt too often. Dailey played a fine allround game, at times rising to Ir illiant heights. McWilliams was New Zealand’s outstanding forward. Hazlett, Brownlie, Swain and Hadley were always in the picture. Alley and Finlayson shining with occasional bursts. From the line-outs Stewart harassed De Yilliers and Osier alt the afternoon.

Tindall played soundly enough but he apparently did wo. have the confidence of Lindsay. Both De Jongli and Brand appeared to lie weak for international wings. Rousseau and Westliuizen. however, were in firstclass form. Osier was a gay deceiver who varied his play cleverly. D© Yilliers played a great game behind the pack breaking round the scrum oil occasions to make clever openings. Mostert, Van Druten. Daneel and Du Toit were tlie outstanding Springbok forwards. Mostert’s hooking was exceptionally good.