ALL BLACK TEAM DEFEATED

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1929, Page 11

ALL BLACK TEAM DEFEATED

AUSTRALIANS WIN NINE TO EIGHT TITANIC STRUGGLE IN FIRST TEST HUGE CROWD ROUSED TO HIGH PITCH By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright, Received July 7, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, July 7. Australia defeated New Zealand by 9 points to 8 in the first test match of the All Blacks’ tour at Sydney on Saturday. There was a crowd of between 40,000 and 50,000 and the weather was almost ideal, with a slight breeze. The Governor and suite were present. The match was a first-class one, although there were a number of mistakes at critical moments. The game was played in excellent spirit and both teams received ovations.

The crowd made a great demonstration, being elated at the result. Better displays have been given by the AU Black teams. The general work today was ragged, especially in the back division, which lacked in confidence and initiative. The forwards displayed laxity in scrummaging, which was uneven with alow heeling out. Their solidity and ap plication of weight was not sufficient to counter the opposing eight. The game was won on the merits, Australia showing superior cohesion all round, and the men were more successful.in hooking. About 65 per cent, of the game was open and spectacular and was of an exciting order. It was somewhat wanting in regular scientific methods, with an abnormal amount of high tackling and illjudged passing by both sides. Although numerous injuries occurred the game was never rough and was contested in the finest spirit. The four Queenslanders on the winning side fully justified their inclusion. The All Blac’cs won the toss and Lawton kicked off against the wind. A smart, interception enabled Tuck to break right through, ably supported by Lilburne and Oliver, but finally the ball was lost almost under the posts where Ross forced.- Play immediately sharpened up, Australia pressing, and from a penalty 35 yards out Lawton goaled beautifully. Australia .. 3 New Zealand • 0 The All Blacks responded with a great forward rush. A penalty was awarded but Nepia missed the goal. Another Australian passing movement was started by Towers, King and Ford, but was checked, the All Blacks responding quickly with a thrilling back movement by Tuck, Oliver, Lilburne, Carleton and Waterman, who was pushed out close up. The AU Blacks forwards were playing exceptionally hard and play was carried into Australian ter ritory. From a penalty in deep field Nepia kicked a great goal. Australia 3 New Zealand 3 Continuing their pressure, the backs smartly broke through down the centre of the field, interchanging the ball until finally Oliver dived through near the poets, being badly shaken owing to contact with the ground. Nepia kicked a goal. New Zealand 8 Australia '■ > 3 Both sides were now playing an open game in fast, spectacular fashion. Following an Australian attack, from a penalty well out in front Lawton kicked a joal in magnificent fashion. New Zealand 8 Australia 6 The Australians were again attacking, impressively, Geddes, Waterman and Nepia driving them back by fine defensive work ind well-judged kicking, thus relieving the pressure. Towers was disabled and retired. The New Zealanders were at thia jtage penalised and Lawton kicked the ball which hit the post, rebounding into the field. In continuance of the attack Lawton almost goaled. The AH Blacks were next awarded a penalty but Nepia missed a long-range kick. Towers was replaced by Thorpe. E. Ford (wing) badly dropped two passes. The defence was practically beaten when Tuck effected a great save by a brilliant mark off the toes of his opponents in a terrific forward dribbling rush. At half-time there was no change in the scores. Up to this point it had been a very even game, both sides alternately attacking in the most approved fashion to the crowd’s delight, they enthusiastically cheering impartially. Lawton gave the most outstanding display on the Australian side, attacking with great dash and vigour. Upon the resumption of play Stringfellow replaced Nepia, whose back had become troublesome as the result of the last game. Play opened auspiciously for New Zealand. Reside by a long pass almost put Geddes over, but the Australians rallied magnificently, and with tremendous dash the bulky forwards, Findlay, Cerutti and Breckenridge became extremely dangerous. Geddes saved by forcing. Play in mid-field then raged at a tremendously fast pace between the opposing packs. Lawton gained great stretches by effective line-kicking. A penalty was awarded the All Blacks but Lilburne missed the goal narrowly. Tuck provided a sensation by a forty yards’ run from a ecrum, but the ball was forced out at the corner by Ross. Oliver was the next to become prominent with a dodging run, but Ross was equal to the occasion. Hitherto the Australians had shown the most cohesive back work from both scrums and line-outs. The AH Blacks’ back play was lacking in sting. Then came the most sensational Australian movement of the day in New Zealand’s twenty-five. Malcolm set the whole Australian rearguard on a great lateral passing rush, all the backs handling the ball, and finally Gordon dashed over kt the corner amidst tumultuous cheering. Lawton missed his kick at goal narrowly. Australia r..... 9 New Zealand 8 Half an hour had passed and the Australians continued their brilliant attacks. Play was territorially m New Zealand’s quarters and desperate and effective defence alone saved the All Blacks. Stringfellow, answering the requirements well, roused New Zealand and commenced a fierce onslaught on Australia’s quarters. A brief bout of passing almost put Waterwan over, ar.v-.4j. r-M

The final stages of the game were mostly in Australia’s favour, the AH Blacks adopting safe tactics. The general standard of play was better than in the first spell. The final scores were: — Australia 9 New Zealand •• •» 8 The Sunday Times says: “All the representative Rugby games this season seem to lack the brilliance of other years, probably due to over-anxiousness. Yesterday’s game was in that category. The first half was remarkable for the number of passes dropped on either side. Not once did the ball reach the New Zealand wing three-quarters cleanly after going among the inside backs. This was quite unlike New Zealand football. “Candidly, the New Zealand team does not compare at all favourably with those of former years. The forwards do _ not have the physique, nor is there the nippiness among the backs so characteristic of bygone days. Lawton and King were the best of the Australian backs. Ross, J. Ford, Thompson, Breckenridge and Bonis were others who figured prominently. McWilliams and Snow were New Zealand’s best forwards, but the only back who was up to consistent standard was Oliver.” The Telegraph Pictorial’s comments is that unfortunately too many mistakes were made at critical moments, and these spoilt what otherwise would have been a magnificent game, but there were some delightful movements revealing the splendid stamina of the men, and the closeness of the scoring furnishing all the thrills expectable. It was a first-class match. Many present agreed that Lawton was the great est five-eighth ever seen. Reside and Rika were always in the thick of the fight, while Lilburne and Oliver were a constant sourceof great worry to Australia.”, The Sunday News says: “It was a stirring encounter with thrill upon thrill in the second half. The New Zealand forwards were adepts at screwing in the scrums. It is unfortunate that Nepia was out of action in the second half. For Australia, Gordon scored one try and Lawton kicked two penalty goals. For New Zealand, Oliver scored one try which Nepia converted, and also kicked a penalty goal. The New South Wales team against New Zealand next Wednesday will be:—Ros.*, E. Ford, Towers, King, Gordon, Bartley, Lamport, Breckenbridge, J. Ford, Palfreyman, Finlay Telford, Judd, Ferguson, and Emerson. MANAGER HAS NO COMPLAINT. BEST TEAM WON ON THE DAY. Received July 7, 11.35 p.m. Sydney, July 7. The manager of the All Blacks, Mr. J. McLeod, interviewed to-night, said: “The best team on the day won. We made more mistaken than the other side, but had wo had a good leader in the last five minutes to steady the backs we probably would have pulled the game out of the fire. Anyhow, we think we have seen the Australians at their best; they have not seen us at our best yet.” Mr. McLeod added that Porter was practically well and would be playing in a few days—possibly on Wednesday. Nepia’s back was very sore in the same old spot, but hopes soon to be in the picture again. Otherwise the team were very well indeed and all were being treated most hospitably. “We have not a single complaint against anybody,” he added.