SOUNDER SCRUM

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1935, Page 7

SOUNDER SCRUM

ALL BLACKS IMPROVED MATCH AGAINST CARDIFF WIN BY 20 POINTS TO FIVE BACKS’ EXCELLENT FORM FED WELL BY THE PACK By Telegraph—Press Assn.—CopyrightRec. 6.30 p.m. London, Oct. 26. With the forwards’ scrummaging greatly improved and the backs in excellent form the New Zealand Rugby team defeated Cardiff at Cardiff to-day by 20 points to five after leading 15-0 at halftime. The match was played on a ground heavy after rain and before an enthusiastic attendance of 30,000 people. The attendance at the famous Cardiff Arms Park ground indicated that despite some poor displays the All Blacks are still a great attraction. The specta-, tors included hundreds' of enthusiasts who saw the 1905 and 1924 sides and several who played against Gallagher s men. Most of the best known London critics also attended. The tourists yesterday strenuously practised scrumming, pushing so hard that they scratched up the turf at one end of the ground. They concentrated on learning to pack lower and to, use more weight towards the centre of the scrum. It was generally anticipated that Cardiff, although it had defeated and drawn with Swansea and had trained . seriously for the match, would provide an easy victory for the New Zealanders, probably by from 10 to 15 points. Ron Boon was brought from Scotland to play for Cardiff. The weather was dull and the ground heavy as a result of four days continuous rain. The Cardiff Arms, one of the finest grounds in Britain, with a magnificent new double-decker stand, was packed. The entire attendance sang the customary Welsh national airs before the stevt. The All Blacks opened brilliantly with quick passes, the forwards packing very low as they had practised. Hadley won 'the ball in the first scrum and it came out like a flash. Caughey scored the opening try amid wild excitement among the crowd. The tourists’ second scoring movement was due to Caughey and Mitchell, who moved grandly and left the opposition standing. SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL. The first quarter of an hour saw some of the most spectacular football of. the tour. There was plenty of hot work among the forwards and fierce rucking and exciting play all over the field. Mahoney, playing in the centre of the line-out, was taking the ball cleanly. Ball was prominent for some great attacking. He and Caughey were the heroes of the first half. They combined magnificently when Caughey scored his second try, completely beating their opponents with their pace. Griffiths, as was the case against Llanelly, kicked very surely and found the line accurately. The Cardiff backs dropped passes with great regularity, and Oliver, Caughey and Ball snapped up the opportunities. Nevertheless the All Black backs sometimes had lapses in handling, but quick recoveries and other resourcefulness which in the first half produced one of the finest displays of the tour, made their opponents appear seebnd-ratefs. Gilbert was excellent and was often cheered for the manner in which he dived at the feet of the Cardiff and snatched up the ball. During the interval Hadley and Adkins had their backs massaged in the centre of the field by their trainers. A wag commented, “They do not play as if. they are suffering from lumbago.” The crowd did not appreciate some of the referee’s rulings, although he often penalised Nev; Zealand, but they were delighted with the fast, open play in the second half. When Osmond scored it was the first time the New Zealand defence was really beaten. Cardiff at this stage was greatly improved and took many risks. Play changed from one end of the field to the other amid the spectators’ wild excitement. TERRIFIC PACE SET. Boon, J. Bowcott, Watkins, Harry Rees and Gwyn Williams were all working well. Jones several times outpaced Mitchell and once was unlucky not to score. It was a wonder the players could keep up the terrific pace, but the standard declined a little towards .the end and several players on both sides looked very tired. The All Blacks’ scrum work showed continued improvement throughout the match. Never during the tour has the ball come out so quickly.. Sadler was given plenty of opportunities to feed the backs, which he did well. He was in great form. He has developed a most deceptive run, and three or four times he shot round the scrum like a hare. Griffiths’ one blemish was when he kicked to the line when he had a chance to pass to Caughey and Oliver, who were playing well and beating their opponents. Play was once held up while Stone, the Cardiff full-back, was treated apparently for an injury to the ribs received in tackling Mitchell from behind when he had broken tjhrough the defence and swerved past the full-back. The scores justly indicate the All .Blacks’ superiority. New Zealand was unlucky not to score more, but tbe side lacks a reliable place kicker. Gilbert is sometimes splendid, but at other times he misses the easiest kicks. The New Zealand backs were excellent, Mitchell and Ball bringing off many fine runs. Oliver was again the brains of the backs, being what Mark Nicholls was in the 1924 team. It was hard to discriminate among the forwards. Manchester led the pack well, working hard and gaining ground by dribbling. Hadley, Lambourn, King and Mahoney were always in the thick of the fray. McLean played a great loose game but has still to reproduce his New Zealand form.