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Star (Christchurch), Issue 17564, 15 June 1925, Page 3

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ALL BLACKS WIN FIRST TEST. “ FAST AND NIPPY/’ B.v Telegraph Australian and N.Z. Cabin Association. SYDNEY, June I S Killeen thousand spectators witnessed the first test match bet ay eon the Blacks and New South W it, The weather was dull and tlireiu?:in", and the ground on the soft side, as the result of recent rains. Bryant replaced Ford in the local team. In the first hall New South 'Vales liaVl the advantage of the win! i.n.l made good use of it, but all efforts to kick goals failed. Plav was mostly in the All Blacks’ territory during iho first half, hut they managed to ! cop the home team out. The vi-dtms proved a fast, nippy set of players who, with practice, will improve* considerably. Their combination was good but their passing rushes were apt to break down on account of ovmkeenness. Now South "Wales were much superior in this respect. The handling of the hall by both sides was not of the best but there were some notable exceptions. The game was a splendid exhibition of wing play and \V. Klvy was easily the best back on the ground, with J‘Blake and (». P. Wise prominent. M*av {South Wales were heavier in th ? sc; um

and obtained 1 he ball more than their opponents, and were usually superior in the line-outs. The line-kicking wa3 also a. feature of the play. Boss, the New South "Wales full-back, playe 1 an excellent game, his long line-k'cVa, especially in the second half, freqn*-...t,-Jv saving his side from trouble. At half-time the score, three all, gives ** fair indication of the merits of the teams but in tho latter part of the second half New South Wales went to pieces and the New Zealanders 3:ad things their own way. The teams were:— NEW ZEALAND. Full-back : J. Harris. Three-quarters: G. D. Wise J. Blake. AY. Elvy. Five-eighths : H. Matson, L. Johnston. Half-back : 1). AY right. Forwards : J. Donald (wing) A. Lomas, A. Kirkpatrick. 5. Finlayson. L. Rigbton, J. iSI"Nab, D. Dickson. J. A. Archer. NEW SOUTH WALES. Full-back : A. Boss. Three-quarters : 0. Crossmau, A. Toby, L. Anderson, A Bowers. Five-eighth : F. Rainbow. Half-back : H urnphrics. Forwards; E. J. Thorn, AN'. Brvant. J. Greutorex, C. Fox, J. Hill. T. Smith, J. Blackwood, T. Davis. New South AYales commenced to attack from tne outset. Bowers look the ball down the line, but Righton marked and relieved the pressure. The attack, however, was maintained, but Harris marked on the line. Then play shifted back to half-way, but a long line kick by Boss again brought the New Zealand, "line into danger. Matson smartly intercepted a pass, j and a certain score by the Blue backs was spoiled by a knock-on. The All Blacks were several times penalised in their own territory, but Now South AYales. like the Now Zealanders, lacked good goal-kickers, all attempts going wide. Bowers retired after twenty minutes, and was replaced by Mulli-

gan. Grentorcx knocked on near the All Blacks’ line, and from the resulting scrum, the sam e player pushed his way ever, but Crossman failed to convert. New South AYales . . .3 Now Zealand . . . .0 A few minutes later Wright started his backs going, and, in a scramble in tho corner, Kirkpatrick crossed, but Dickson’s kick fell short. New ‘Zealand . . . .3 New South. AYales . . .3 The All Blacks continued to attack, and Johnson was forced out close to the New South AYales line. Faulty handling by the visitors’ backs raised the hopes of the New South AYales supporters, but the- forwards retrieved the position. Grcatorex, who was most prominent among the local forwards, commenced a lively movement, but bis pass was intercepted and danger averted. The Blues continued to attack in the second half, but an All Black passing movement saw "Wise pulled down on the local twenty-five After this, except for sporadic rushes, the game remained in the Blues’ half. A New Zealand forward rush took the hall to the line where a scrum from a knock-on favoured New South Wales. tho hall being sent into, touch. OfF-side play by the visitors spoiled a promising piece of play, and tlic ball went to Grossman, who made a speedy run past half-way. AN’iso in diving to collar him succeeded, but was temporarily laid out. A brilliant passing rush from the line-out resulted in F.lrv getting over at the- corner. Harris’s kick failed. New Zealand . •*- . fi New South Walts . . ,3 Klvey again made a great dash down the line, but was pushed out. NYright, behind the serum, was responsible for much good work. He was setting his backs moving well. From a piece of off-side play by Grcatorex Dick.soil bad a kick at goal. The ball hit a post and bounced over. New Zealand . w „ 9 New South AYales . _ 3 Kicking by Boss enabled the Blues to invade’ the New Zealand half, but tho All Blacks were equal to the occasion and play went back to the Blues’ line, where Humphreys picked the ball out of the scrum. Harris’s kick fell just outside the post. AYise, from half-way, made a good run down the line, but Rainbow intercepted his pass and kicked the ball which came into Elver’s hands. Ho again distinguished himself by a great run, crossing at the corner. Johnson’s kick failed. Now Zealand - .12 New South AYales ... 3 Tho local backs were unable to profit by the forwards’ efforts, and, in the last ten minutes, the. whole side seemed to lose heart, New Zealand being allowed to score thrice in quick succession. First AA'ise made a. dash down the line, then passed to Lomas who crossed. Now Zcalnud . » w 15 New South AN*ales . . . 3 Clever work by Blake saw Righton over. New Zealand . . c „ IS New South AYales ... 3 AA’ise was again prominent in taking the boll in front of the posts, cutting in and scoring. Dickson converted the latter try, but the other kicks failed. New Zealand . . . .23 New South AYales ... 3 Just on time Wise again got over at the corner, Johnson’s kick was unsuccessful and the game ended New Zealand . . . .2 C, New South AYales . 3