ALL BUCK BACKS SHINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 1

ALL BUCK BACKS SHINE

PRETORIA BEATEN BY 13 TO 6

AFRICAN VANGUARD OVERWHELMED AT FIRST

NEW ZEALAND FORWARDS SLACKEN IN SECOND HALF

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.) Received 9.45 a.m. PRETORIA. Wednesday. OVERWHELMED in the first spell by the New Zealand hacks and forwards, the Pretoria districts team came to light with a complete reversal of form in the second half, in the match played at Pretoria to-day. The display of the All Blacks in the first spell, when they dominated the scrums, was brilliant. It was the best exhibition of the tour. But in the second spell the New Zealand forwards slackened up and the game deteriorated. The All Blacks should have won by more than 13 points to 6.

A large crowd watched the match which was played on a parched turf ground. Sir William Solomon, Chief Justice of the Union, was introduced to the New Zealand team, who delighted the crowd with their famous haka. The match opened with a passing rush from the line-out by the Pretoria hacks, but the movement broke down among the threequarters. The New Zealand forwards, led by C. Brownlie, breaking through, Dailey whipped the ball away from the ruck on the blind side to Grenside, who raced down the touch-line with a shattering, swerving run, and scored far out. Lindsay’s kick just missed. New Zealand 3 Pretoria O Prom a line-out following the kickoff, Chapman sent the Pretoria backs away. Kotze punted beautifully, and the backs kicked over the line, and i in a race for the hall Kotze beat Lind- [ say and scored. The kick at goal ■ missed. New Zealand 3 Pretoria 3 The New Zealanders were on their toes to-day, throwing the ball about in open, telling fashion, and making the game fast and open, while their hacks combined in pretty movements. Swain next started a dribbling rush from a line-out. McWilliams carried it on, and, picking up, he got over. Lindsay goaling. New Zealand 8 Pretoria .. .. .. .. .. 3 A succession of runs by the New Zealand backs, had . Pretoria puzzled, but the tackling, was sound, and they managed to keep the attackers at bay. In attempting to clear, Gush, the fullback, mis-kicked into the hands of Grenside, who passed to Swain, and the forward scored an easy try under the posts. Lindsay converted. New Zealand .. 13 Pretoria -i. 3 Kotze and Liebenberg had the crowd on its feet with a beautiful in-and-out movement down the line. Liebenberg kicked past Lindsay, and the position looked dangerous, but Carleton came hard across, and saved. Away went the New Zealand forwards again in a fast attack, with McWilliams, Hore and Swain in the lead. They combined in several interesting movements before halftime, and were twice almost over; but the Pretoria forwards, led by Kruger, Van Druten and Nykamp, eventually worked the play downfield. Half-time New Zealand 13 Pretoria .. 3 PRETORIA GETS GOING Prom the kick-off in the second spell, the Pretoria backs got going in a passing rush, but Dobie stumbled, and Lindsay cleared with a great kick past half-way. The play was more even than in the first spell. The local forwards were holding their own. They set about the big task of recovery with a vengeance; but the All Blacks’ defence, as usual, was sound.

The New Zealand forwards then got moving again. McWilliams and Swain went racing down the line in a brilliant in-and-out passing rush from a line-out, but a forward pass at the critical moment spoiled a moral try. The Pretoria backs gained a lot of ground with a clever passing movement from a scrum at half-way, and the forwards made a determined effort to get over, hammering away at the New Zealand line for a few minutes, till Ward shot out with the ball at his feet, and went away on a beautiful solo effort. The Pretoria forwards next started a fine attack, in which the backs joined in. It was a pretty movement, which ended in Geyser scoring at the corner. Gush missed the kick at goal. New Zealand 13 Pretoria 6 Pretoria was getting the hall from the scrums at this stage, and the ; backs threw the ball about in move- j ments which were consistently ! smashed by the New Zealand backs, j There was a spell of scrappy play un- J til the New Zealand forwards started ' a hot attack, which went from halfway to the corner, where an infringement spoiled a royal chance. Pretoria cleared its quarters, shooting the ball away. From the scrum Chapman started them away. Dobie short-punted, and Carleton and Lindsay between them pulled the side out of a dangerous position. The last few minutes of the game still saw Pretoria making desperate efforts to win, and the final whistle came with the New Zealand backs still holding up a lively attack. Final New Zealand 13 j Pretoria .. ... .. .. .. 6

N.Z. BACKS PLAY WELL FORWARDS SLACKEN UP BRILLIANT FLASHES (Special to Press Association.) Reed. 9.45 a.m. PRETORIA, Wed. I Winning the ball from the scrums 19 times against eight in the first spell, the New Zealanders were all over Pretoria. The hacks were showing excellent form, and the only thing that saved a larger score was the fine defence of the home side. In the second spell, the All Blacks would not be recognised as the same players. The forwards slackened up, and Pretoria got the same percentage of the ball from the scrums as its opponents had done in the first spell. The Pretoria backs were continuously on the attack, Dobie, Kotze, and Chapman standing out. All their efforts, however, were effectively and consistently spoiled. All the New Zealand backs played a fine game, Nicholls, Carleton, and Dailey at times being brilliant. Grenside got more of the ball than Lucas, but the Aucklander made the most of every chance. Lindsay’s kicking and defence were first-class. McWilliams, Swain and Ward were easily the best forwards. Kruger, Van Druten, Nykamp, and Geere were the outstanding Pretoria forwards. It was a fine triumph for the New Zealanders, for the Pretoria match was regarded as one of the hardest of the tour, and was looked upon as a minor test. IMPROVED PACK FORWARDS SHOW THEIR QUALITY OUTLOOK BRIGHTER According to cabled . r ®P or . t * great hopes were held out in South Africa that the strong side gathered together to represent Pretoria Districts would be able to inflict another defeat on the All Blacks. After the strenuous test game on Saturday, and with several men out of action, New Zealand was not able to field their best, and their victory by the fairly comfortable i margin of seven points is dis- ; tinctly encouraging.

It is computed that in the first half the New Zealand forwards held the scrum advantage by 19 to 8. Although they slackened ud after the interval, this serves to confirm the impression gained from the report of the second test that the All Black packmen have at last got the measure of their opponents in the tight forward play, and can assert themselves when it is necessary to apply the pressure. When the teams were cabled yesterday no mention was made as to who was to fill the wing-forward position, and to-day’s report also gives no indication whether it was Stewart or Scrimshaw', or if the loose-head principle was again used. It would be assumed, however, that following its successful introduction in the second test, it w'ould again be used. Lindsay’s defence and sound kicking has again been a feature of the game. Carleton’s defence must also have been very sound. Grenside, the powerfulrunning Hawke’s Bay winger, is frequently mentioned, and undoubtedly he has played a very fine game. McWilliams prominent McWilliams and Ward appear to be making the most of every opportunity. Ward, who has excellent command of the ball in loose rushes, was a candidate for the last test side, and is apparently making every effort to play

himself into the international side before he returns to New Zealand. Fortunately no further injuries are reported, and it would seem that if the team is not further depleted through this cause, it should have a good chance of bringing the tour to a more successful conclusion than was anticipated a few weeks back. NINE WINS SO FAR THIRTEEN GAMES PLAYED The following table shows how the All Blacks have fared against the teams they have so far met on their tour:

Team played Result. For. Agft Country Clubs Won 11 Cape Town Clubs. . Lost 3 Criqualand Won 10 Transvaal .. .. Free State Won 2o Transvaal Won Western Transvaal Won 19 X a till Won 31 South Africa. Lost 17 Northern Districts Drawn 18 iv Rhodesia . Won 4 8 South Africa . . . . Won * Pretoria Districts . Points for, 190; Won against. 13 92. t i The next match is on Sat urda against the Orange BloemfonteinFree State, t