SECOND MATCH IN SYDNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17343, 16 July 1924, Page 4

SECOND MATCH IN SYDNEY.

ALL BLACKS 2N FORM. STILL A LACK OF COHESION (Special to the “Star.”) SYDNEY, July 9. The All Blacks played the second match of their Australian tour at the Sydney University Oval to-day, when they easily defeated a Metropolitan fifteen by 38 points to 5. There were a great number of New Zealanders in attendance, and they left the ground feeling on much better terms with themselves than they did on Saturday night. The New Zealand team contained seven men who were looking on at the first test on Saturday. In tho backs bvensou replaced Brown at centre, M Gregor and Nichoils replaced Gooite and Badeley, and Dailey was half. Barker filled the wing-iorward position, M 5 Cleary played front rank instead of Munro, and Cupples was in tiie back rank vice Richardson. In the absence of both Badeley and Richardson, Mark Nichoils captained the side. From the kick-off there was only one team in it. The forwards displayed much more lite than in Saturday’s test. The following-up was better, the tackling was improved, and- the handling was particularly good. As for the backs, they gavo a really sparkling exhibition. Their passing and handling were excellent, and it was nothing but sound tackling which kept the score from mounting to much greater proportion*. Play had not been in progress five minutes before Parker picked up the ball and sent it out to Nichoils, from whom it went to M’Gregor and’on to Svenson, who scored a nice try. It was twenty minutes before the Metropolitan team entered the New Zealand twenty-five. Her© M. Brownlee broke away, and passing between Parker and Hart saw the latter score wide out. M. Brownlee, who was playing well* got possession in a line-Qdit, and after a strong run, ,in which he fended off two players, Jie passed infield. The forwards dribbled on, and Irvine picked up and fell across. The forwards were doing fairly well in the loose, though their combination was not all that could b© desired. M. Brownlee again started tho movement which led up to the fourth try. He broke away from a line-out, passed to his brother, who sent it on to Svenson, the latter getting across near the corner. Then came the home team’s turn. Aided by two penalties, they got within their opponents’ twenty-five where the half, Georgeson, secured possession and with a _ j inky run lie passed Dailey and Nepia, and went over for a pretty try, which was converted. A passing rush between M’Gregor, the Brownlee brothers and M’Oleary, saw M’Cleary lose possession near the line, and a force resulted. Obtaining possession in the loose, \\ hit© mail© a fine run to the home team s line before passing in to Cupples, who scored. The half -time bell went just afterwards. New Zealand led 17-5. Nepia had converted the first try. His next two kicks—both hard ones—missed, and

Nichoils failed to convert the fourth and fifth tries. Play had only just been resumed when Lucas fielded the ball brilliantly m midfield, kicked high, followed up and took the ball on the full, and then side-stepped a couple of opponents, to cross the line for a most spectacular try. His solo effort was heartily applauded. Nepia missed the shot. Parker ami Lucas made strong dashes, but met with solid tackling. Nichoils secured the ball near his opponents’ line, but, finding himself blocked shot a long pass half-way across the field to Svenson, who knocked on with a clear run in. From the resulting scrum the forwards swept across, and Masters and M Cleary fell on the ball almost simultaneously. Nichoils goaled. Another well-sustained forward rush by M’Cleary, M. Brownlee, Cupples and Masters resulted in a try to Masters. White converted. A fine bout of passing between Dailey, Nichoils, M’Gregor, Svenson and Hart let the wing over at the corner. White’s kick scarcely rose. A similar rush went out to Lucas’s wing, and the Aucklander scored after side-stepping the fullback. Nichoils converted, and this brought the scores up to 38-5. As already mentioned, the All Black forwards gave a vastly improved display. Irvine and M’Cleary got their fair share of the ball, and on tho whole the scrum work was very satisfactory. ! All the forwards were at times conspicuous in the loose, though they were freely penalised for off-side play. C. Brownlee, especially, gave away a lot of free kicks. M. Brownlee played a splendid all round game. His lineout work was particularly fine and he fended off players in a manner which was as amusing as it was . useful to his side. White, Masters and Cupples all grafted hard. There was just that ! lack of cohesion which makes for successful team work. The frequency with which they were being penalise*l | no doubt upset-the forwards to a great j extent. Parker, at wing, was also penalised a few times, much to his surprise on occasions. Nevertheless, lie played a fine game in the loose. The display by the backs was most pleasing to the team’s supporters. Barley was very nippy behind the scrum despite the fact- that lie received great attention from the two New South Wales breakaway forwards. They were allowed to come round all through the game quite unchecked, and in a manner which Could not be beaten by the greatest offending wing-forward in New Zealand. Nevertheless, Dailey played a fine game and was always where the play was. Nichoils and M’Gregor combined well at five-eighths. The latter was out of his usual position, but this did not seem to affect him. The three-quarter line was very impressive. Lucas and Hart were both dashing, especially the former. Svenson, at centre, gave an attractive exhibition. Nepia’s' work at full-back was first class and evoked the warmest admiration. His kicking was much more powerful and better directed than it was in Saturday’s test. After watching to day’s game, it is going to be no easy matter to select New Zealand’s h£st team, as some of the players who took part in ihc first test are considered in the first flight. All the same, it will be hard to drop those who did so well to-day. The fine win has put fresh energy into ail the team and they are looking forward to the remaining two tests with the utmost confidence. At the request of the New South "Wales Union, the curtain raiser to todnv’s match was refereed bv Mr L Guiney. a New Zealand referee, who is accomr- iving the All Blacks on their Australian tour. The captains of the two teams expressed themselves ns being very well satisfied with his rulings, and the New South Wales Union have asked him to officiate again to-morrow in tho most important Great Public Schools match of the year.