N.Z. Has Sporting Chance Of Winning Last Test.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18546, 21 August 1928, Page 1

N.Z. Has Sporting Chance Of Winning Last Test.

FORWARDS GAINED VICTORY FOR AFRICA IN SATURDAY’S HARD MATCH.

(Special to the New Zealand Press Association.) (Received August 21, 8.45 a.m.)

OUDTSHOORN (Gape). August 20. F-M. HOWARD, writing in the “Cape Times,” says: “The * Port Elizabeth test provided easily the best game of the series so far. There was little in it between the two sides, but what slight superiority there was lay with South Africa. The home country opened in great style. Although there was an element of luck about their first try, the points were well deserved on the run of play. “ Ry half time it had become anybody’s game, with the odds slightly in favour of New Zealand, as tile Springbok forwards appeared to be faltering just before the interval. In the end, il was the All Black forwards who were worn down, though they never gave in. The last efuarter of an hour saw South Africa definitely on top. For all that play never became one-sided. Indeed, the All Blacks continued to be very dangerous from breakaways and counter attacks, but in the scrums they were by then well beaten. “ Osier, if less in the limelight than at Durban, played a masterly game all through. He nursed his forwards beautifully at critical moments. Generally speaking the New Zealanders were clearly superior on the wings, but inferior in the centre. The Springbok full-back also played a sounder game than Lindsay, but it was the home forwards who once again really won the game. “ Three of the five tries were, scored by forwards in purely forward efforts, two for South Africa and one for New Zealand. The other New Zealand try was the work of two men, Dailey and Grensidc. The other South African try was the only one to come from a combined passing attack by the whole back line. Even that originated from a forward picking up in the loose and throwing back a long pass. “ The result has left New Zealand with a fine sporting chance of equalising matters at Newlands in the last test, which should again provide a great game.”