BRIGHT EXHIBITION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19398, 9 August 1937, Page 11

BRIGHT EXHIBITION

LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEST WIN FOR AUSTRALIANS NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASSED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Played on a ground which showed the effects of weeks of heavy rain, the first Rugby league test between Australia and New Zealand nevertheless delighted a crowd of about 20,000 with a bright and fast exhibition of the code. Australia, after being three points behind at the interval, profited by its superior teamwork to finally take the decision bv 12 points to eight. Fast raiding by the New Zealand forwards, supported by the backs' clean handling, had the visitors upset in the early stages. The Australians, disdaining defensive methods, threw the ball about with abandon on their own line. Faulty handling allowed the New Zealand forwards to drive home their advantage. It was a different story in the second spell, when the Australians, in spite of the improved tackling of the New Zealand backs, 'showed their brilliance in a series of attacking moves. The visitors dominated the scrum-work, and it wa,s only when the Australians made mistakes in handling that New Zealand was able to show any initiative. The crisp' and free handling of the Australians backs gave the impression that on a dry ground they would be a brilliant combination. Although bottled up on attack, due to the solid tackling of the New Zealand inside backs, Tittleton and Bickerton, Norman proved himself an outstanding player. He was the dominant figure in the Australian back line, frequently covering the mistakes of the forwards and displaying brilliance on attack. Brainy Half-Back Williams, the Australian halfback, was probablv the brainiest player on the iield. Frequently he bluffed the opposing backs with his speed and straight running. Although shadowed constantly bv the fast and eager New Zealand "pack, he often put them off their balance by subtle and quick reverse passes. Among the visiting forwards, Pearce and Gibbs stood o.ut for solid play in the scrum and brilliant handling in the loose. The Australians had two speedy and aggressive wing m,en in Haselden aaid McLean. Given a chance within scoring distance, they mowed do.wn the opposing players with their strorig running. Although the game revealed! weaknesses in the New Zealand side, which was on the defensive for the greater part of the time owing to the visitors' superiority in the scrums, the Dominion team performed above expectations. The conditions certainly suited the New Zealanders' style of play, inasmuch as it was kept comparatively close. Weak tackliivi opened up the way for Australia's first two tries, although credit must be given to the visitors for their initiative and accurate handling. The Canterbury wing three-quarter, Davison, was one Of the most successful players in the New Zealand back Una Sound on defence and vigorous pa attack, he gave the Dominion back line a certain amount of colour. Halloran impressed at half-back tor New Zealand, while Tittleton and Bickerton, for tly? few opportunities they received, pjlayed well. Broderick, Cootes and McLean were the best of the Ne»w Zealand forwards. Trie:; were scored for the visitors by Hazelden (2), McLean and Sto.hr.. Bickerton an/1 Davison snored tries for New Zealand, the lattjer kicking a penalty goal.