BAD CONDITIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20504, 24 August 1936, Page 8

BAD CONDITIONS

AUSTRALIA BEATEN By Telegraph- Pres* Association AUCKLAND, August 22. The Australian Rugby team opened its New Zealand tour at Eden Park to-day and was defeated by Auckland by 8 points to 5. All the points were scored in the first spell. Conditions were atrocious, heavy rain falling throughout the match, the ground being a quagmire. Rain had fallen throughout the previous day. There was an attendance of 5000 spectators. The Australian team, in spite of the conditions, showed that it would be very dangerous on a dry ground and play exhilarating football. Under fast conditions New Zealand will have to look to its laurels to take the honours in the test matches. Different tactics suited to the conditions would have carried Australia to victory to-day. The visitors are not accustomed to such a wet ground, and persistently attempted the passing game. Their methods made the match one of the best wet day games yet played at Eden Park. The Australian backs and forwards combined to good effect. Auckland, however, had an advantage over the visiting vanguard in close formation, this being the deciding factor in the match. The highlight was Killeen’s brilliant cut through to make a great try for Caughey. Prominent for Auckland were Lockington (forward) and Kileen. For Australia Storey and Gibbons were the outstanding backs and Pauling and Bridle the best forwards. Australia early attacked, the backs being associated in nice passing. Although Auckland was getting the ball in the scrums the visiting forwards were breaking quickly on the home inside backs. Kelaher made a sidestepping run through the defence, sound tackling by Bush saving a certain try. Then a misunderstanding between Killeen and Bush saw the ball mulled. Storey followed up fast to

score wide out ten minutes after the start. Hayes converted with a fine kick. Australia 5, Auckland 0 In spite of the heavy conditions the visitors’ backs were endeavouring to throw the ball about, while the forwards were good in the loose and handled well. The Auckland pack was now settling down and pressed the visitors for a period, but Pauling drove them back with a fine run and kick. F. Solomon headed a strong rush which had Australia in trouble, but Auckland could not finish off the movement near the line. Frankham made amends a minute later. He dashed round the blind side of a scrum and swerved infield cleverly to give Hadley a try near the posts. Bush made a certainty of the kick. Australia 5, Auckland 5 The Auckland backs were now adopting kick and follow tactics. Once Storey was lucky to get out of trouble when he misfielded, Kelaher dashing in to save with a “speculator.” Pepper and Butler were associated in clever I dribbling, but Lewis saved well. Auck- | land was now pressing hard, although Australia was never afraid to start attacks from defensive positions. Cooper (Auckland) retired with an injured shoulder and was replaced by Carson. Just on half-time Killeen cut in brilliantly and beat the defence, j Caughey accepted a difficult pass to dash over at the corner flag. Bush’s 1 fine kick hit the upright. Auckland 8, Australia 5 On resuming, Auckland was nearly over when Lockington followed a high kick by Carson. The pace slackened considerably for a time with Auckland holding the advantage. The home forwards were too good in the loose and the visitors were forced several times in quick succession. Australia

gradually retaliated, and Gibbons made a splendid run past several defenders, only to spoil his work by a forward pass. Australia continued to play the open game, and at this stage had Auckland on defence for 10 minutes. Although it looked that Australia might weaken, the visitors maintained a series of strong attacks, which fully tested the defence. The Australian backs were ever alert and although they made mistakes their open tactics pleased the spectators. Australia was still attacking when time was called, the final score being: Auckland 8, Australia 5