FIRST RUGBY TEST

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1929, Page 4

FIRST RUGBY TEST

DEFEAT OF THE ALL BLACKS WILDLY EXCITING FINISH. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. Commenting on the defeat of the All Blacks by nine points to eight by Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald states;— The closing stages were intensely exciting, and the visitors, without Porter and °Dalley, captain and vice-captain, emerged from the contest with as much honour as the victors. It was not merely the fact that the issue was in doubt until no-side that the 38,111 spectators, the largest crowd the Rugby Union has had since the war. The exceptionally high standard of play was responsible for the wild cheerin'*', which was continuous foi the last 20° minutes, as the human tide swept down the field in wave after wave, to bo tossed back or turned aside by as fine a display of resolute tackling as could be imagined. New Zealand led by 8 points, to 0 at half-time, after a period m which theie were many Australian disappointments. Play had not been exhilarating. In the second period, however, amends were made. Tho All Blacks began with characteristic dash. They stormed the Australian line for fully ten minutes. It seemed that the home defence must crack before the weight of the teniflc onslaught. But there was no sign of wilting. The All Blacks were thrust back. The Australians enjoyed a period of domination, and it was only as the result of wonderful anticipation -that the visiting goal-lino was kept intact. Eventually a try was gained. Australia led by a point. The reverse stirred the All Blacks to great effort. From that stage to the end it was a homeric struggle. Play surged up and down the field, and it cannot be denied that when the bell rang relief ■ was one of the feelings of the great crowd, which was quite satisfied that the present wearers of the silver fern are a team of champions. TRIUMPH FOR LAWTON. The day was a triumph for Lawton. It was no wonder he was carried off the field, and even tie enemy joined in the general appreeiatfsn of his genius. Lawton, now 32 years of age, played his greatest game. In the first five minutes he was guilty of a defensive lapse. He let Hook through, and the movement ended only when Waterman was grassed a yard from the line. Thereafter he was the most impressive personality on the field. His success in attack was due to his ability to keep on his feet. Repeatedly he shook himself free from the tackle. Even more often he had passed the ball and doubled round between the centres to carry on the movement, always with the aim to secure the overlapping man. When an attack on one flank was frustrated, Lawton would be found in position to direct another, practically immediately towards the other flank. Puzzled All Black defenders would race from touch to touch as the thrusts varied in direction, but always their tackling was magnificent. Lawton’s kicking was judicious, his handling superb. QUEENSLAND FORWARDS. One cannot but pay tribute to, the fine form of Thompson and Hamalainen, the two Queensland forwards, who were in the thick of every ruck in the tense moments of the closing stages. They thoroughly justified their inclusion. J. Ford revealed the form which made him famous with the Waratahs. His great strength and pace marked him as the finest forward in the side. He and McWilliams (New Zealand) were the two greatest on the ground. Nepia retired at half-time. Stringfellow took the full-back position,. and proved his versatility in an exhibition of sure defence, long punting, and great speed. Again Oliver and Lilburne excelled in opening up the game, as straight runners, and quick-thinking five-eighths. Tuck, the reserve halfback, made a most satisfactory debut. Hook, the extra back, was of immense service in spoiling the Australian threequarters and leading many an All Black thrust. He had a tendency to play offside. The referee, Mr; A.. V. Mayne, adopted the policy of not checking him unless he was caught red-handed. Next to McWilliams, the New Zealand forwards most conspicuous were the two Maoris, Reside and Rika, and Reid. The pack was fine, solid in formation, quick to break up, and uniformly good in support. The cloud of black jerseyed forwards was repeatedly in evidence in concerted, rushes, and typical of New Zealand form at its best. They relished the tight play, and also the opportunities for open play given by the occasional loose packing of the home side. THE SCORING. Each side scored a try. Australia kicked two penalty goals. New Zealand converted its try and kicked a penalty goal. Oliver’s try was the reward of opportunism and sustained pressure. He gathered a fine, correct pass from Hook, charged straight for the line, and collided heavily with the post when touching down. Unfortunately there was a distinct knock on and a forward pass in the transfers before he received the ball. On the other hand, Hook was unfortunate to be pulled up after crossing the line just before half-time. The referee decided that his acceptance of tho ball, which was juggled, was a knock on. In the Dominion the ruling is the opposite. Gordon’s try was the result of a great movement along the line of three-quar-ters, after Palfreyman had whipped the ball out from a loose ruck in New Zealand’s twenty-five. This was one of several occasions on which the Australians contrived to have an overlapping man in attack,

The concluding moments of the great struggle were in startling contrast with tho uninspiring first half. The All Blacks had reserved themselves for a last rally. They •were unfortunate after their forwards had rucked their way down the field. Waterman knocked on before crossing, after a melee near the corner post.