THREE TESTS WON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17572, 24 June 1925, Page 4

THREE TESTS WON.

ALL BLACKS’ SUCCESS.

RUGBY IN THE MUD.

| Though rated in some Quarters as a B team, the 1925 All J Blacks can boast of a better j record in Australia than the j 1924 All Blacks. They have | won the three tests. The Porter- ; Richardson combination could j only capture two out of three. Below is a description of yes- | ferday’s game. It was played on I a greasy ground, and good back play was impossible. New Zealand triumphed 11 —3.

J’y Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. & X.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, June 23. The conditions ruling for the third match between New Zealand and New South Wales were anything but suitable for good football. Rain fell right j up to the commencement of the match and again during the second half. Earlier games had cut up the ground considerably*, and in places it was a regular quagmire. The game, as a result, was mainly a forward one, wherein the All Blacks for the most part predominated. All worked hard, with Finlayson, Knight and Righton outstanding. Donald also played well, but many times was penalised for being off-side. The forwards kept the ball at their toes and several tjz nes carried it right to the New South Wales line, only to be pulled up for an infringement of the rules. The ball was very- greasy*, but the backs of both teams gave some nice exhibitions of passing. The visitors more than held their own in the scrums and line-outs and kept the ball tight. New South Wales made several dangerous attacks, mainly the result of mishandling by the New Zealand backs, but they were inclined to kick too hard. The full-backs both played at the top of their form and repeatedlyrelieved the pressure by sure handling and line-kicking. Matson was replaced by* Corkill and M Cormack played instead of Lomas in the New Zealand team. The attendance was 2000. / The teams were:— NEW ZEALAND, j Full-back: J. Harris. Three-quarters : j A. Law, J. Blake, G. D. Wise. Five-eights: T. Corkill, L. Johnson. Ilalf-back: D. Wright. Forwards: J. Donald (wing), A. M’Cormack, A. Kirkpatrick, B. I'inlay son, L. Knight, L. Righton, J. Walters, R. Dixon. NEW SOUTH WALES. Full-back : A. W. Ross. Three-quarters: O. Grossman, E. Reid, C. V. Morrisev, N. C. Smith. Five-eighth: R. Anderson. IJalf-back: 11. Snell. Forwards : L- J- 1 horn, 11. Bryant, J. W. Breckenridge, C. L. Fox, Baker, T. S. Davis, J. Blackwood, A. B. Erby. New Zealand kicked off, ami commenced to attacck, but off-side play drove them back, Johnson had a shot at goal, but the ball went just outside. It was a good kick considering the state of the ball. Faulty handling from a scrum let New South Wales away, but Law sent the ball into touch at the twenty-five. Tho Blue backs fumbled, and Wise made a great attempt, but was hauled down close to the line. Then a, passing rush on the other side saw Law pushed out at the corner by George. In another All Black rush BJako passed too soon, and tho ball v/enr, across to Crossman, who made a good run down the lino and kicked, hut Harris saved. The All Blacks were penalised in their own twentvfiV,?', hut Morrisey’s kick at goal failed. Tho Blues continued to press, but offside play stopped it. A mark by Morrisey set the Blues attacking, but Donald marked, and eased tho position. The same player then commenced a forward rush from a scrum near half-way. The ball later passed through all the backs’ hands to Law, who scored at the corner. Johnson's kick failed. New Zealand . . .3 New South Wales . . 9 The All Blacks again attacked, but Blake mishandled the’ ball and it went out. Then Wise was pushed out at tiio corner. From the ensuing line-out, New South Wales forced. The All Black forwards continued to exert pressure, and there were several line-outs and scrums near tho New South Wales line, but .Ross was sure, and saved his side repeatedly*. Reid made a great individual dash down the field, and kicked, and Harris had to put the ball out in his own twenty-five. Grossman had to leave the field and was replaced by Jamieson. The New Zealand forwards again took the ball to New South Wales territory, where scrum after scrum kept the forwards busy, till tho Blues relieved, and the spell ended without further score. A free-kick early in the second halt put New South Wales in an attacking position. Morrisey finding the line well up, but off-side play saved the visitors. New South Wales pressed hard, but Donald led a sortie which placed the home line in danger. The Blue forwards came back to the Now Zealand half, and Hammered- away on the visitors’ line for a quarter of an hour, hut tho defence was sound. A free-kick for the home side gave Ross a chance, and he piloted the bail over the bar, equalising . the scores. New Zealand . .3 Ncav South Wales . . 3 Spurred on In/’ this reverse the All Black forwards set up a strong attack on the Blue line. Jamieson re ! lieved with a lino-kick. A good bacK movement saw Wise nearly over, but he was pulled down by Morrisey and, from the scramble, New South Wales forced. Offside play by the All Blacks again

saved the Bluo line. Then Corkill secured, and passed to Wise, who dashed in. When pulled down he transferred to Walters, who plunged over. Dickson failed with the kick. New Zealand . . .0 New South Wales . - 3 A mark put New South Wales in a good position, but the shot at goal failed. The All Blacks again attacked, but the Blues forced their way down the field. After some give and take play at half-way, a New Zealand attack was stopped by offside play. The visitors came on once more, and from the ruck Wright set his backs in motion, and Wise dashed round and scored in a good position. Johnson’s kick was successful, and the final whistle blew a few minutes later, leaving the score : New Zealand . . .11 New South Wales . . 3