“ Green Jerseys Of Australia Were Everywhere In Third Test Against Mew Zealand."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18831, 7 August 1929, Page 6

“ Green Jerseys Of Australia Were Everywhere In Third Test Against Mew Zealand."

WINNING TRY WAS SCORED AS RESULT ' OF KING BRILLIANTLY SIDE-STEPPING GRENSIDE. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 7. Describing the third test, All Blacks v. Australia, the “ Sydney Morning Herald ” of •Inly 29 says: “ Victory went to the belter side, although the scores comprised three tries to New Zealand and only two to Australia. It was in the second half of sustained, thrilling, open play that the home side proved its superiority, sheer pace being one of fhe factors which led to the downfall of the visitors. They were compelled to withstand rush after rush in which direction was varied, and it was obvious that every stoppage came to them as a blessed relief. “ The All Blacks began the game with such intense pace, such assuredness in seizing opportunities that the Australians were swept off their feet. Out to take advantage of the slightest error, their prehensile lingers were soon in evidence. The quick gathering of Australia’s dropped passes enabled them to lead by eight points to nil within ten minutes.

“The All Blacks nearly clinched the victory in those amazing early onslaughts. Australia wanted the play to be open, and the visitors were content. “Cottrell was instrumental in giving M’Williams the first try. It was a snappy gather, and an equally snappy pass, which enabled the big forward to secure and cleave through the defence. Stringfellow gained the second try. He intercepted a pass from King to Towers, and was through in a flash to sprint past Westfield and give Lilburne a good chance to convert. It was noticeable that the All Blacks were standing well up, as they did throughout the match, even at the risk of be-; ing off-side.

“An. Even More Brilliant Try.” “The third try was even more brilliant. The ball came from the ruck to Lilburne. He flung a long high pass to Stringfellow, which was collected in Australian rules style. The defence was drawn for Grenside to score, and again Lilburne converted. Those 13 points were all New Zealand scored. They led by 13 to 9 at half-time. Australia had kicked three penalty goals, two by Lawton and one, a drop, by Towers.

Lawton’s Tactics. “The home side had not been idle. They had tightened up their defence, and several times almost earned tries. Lawton’s tactics had been mainly to get the ball out to one of the flanks. The right wing was chiefly used in the effort to secure the overlapping man. E. Ford was occasionally erratic. M'Ghie had few chances. It was apparent that Australia revelled in opening up the game.

Three times, within ten minutes after the resumption, the New Zealanders marked. Australia was pressing. M’Williams was hurt for three minutes, and the game was held up. The stoppage gave the visitors a rest, which, however, proved of no advantage. Immediately, Lawton, King and Towers were seen in *a handling rush. Lawton directed the transference of the attack. The ball came out again to King, to Towers, who drew his man and left three Australians to complete the movement. The try came on M’Ghie’s wing. Jack Ford took the pass to cross with the Queenslander ranging alongside. The try was scored near the corner flag, too acute an angle for Lawton to goal, and Australia was but one point behind. “New Zealand rallied. There were moments of apprehension when they made a rare incursion to the home twenty-five. “Following the clearance came the winning try. In midfield Australia took advantage of a New Zealand error. “Towers passed the ball to King, who, sensing that he was being crowded to the corner, side-stepped Grenside in a masterly run. He tended and swerved his way across the line, an instance of the direct penetrating thrust which came as a welcome variation of the usual tactics to get the ball to the wing. That try ended the scoring. “ Green Jerseys Everywhere!.” “Now the green jerseys of Australia were everywhere. Rush after rush was made towards New Zealand’s goal-' line, but a rather fluky kick brought the visitors to within a yard of the home line. There was a scrum in front of the posts. Porter w*as too eager. He was caught well off-side, Lawton appealing as the referee blew the whistle. “Australia had but one other escape before taking charge of the attack for the rest of the game. A couple of chances of adding to the score were lost. Our men were prone to err at critical moments. “There need be no detraction of merit in admitting that the All Blacks were distinctly unfortunate in having to take the field without Dailey and Oliver. “Whether their presence would have turned the scale is a matter for conjecture. Assuredly fortune has not fav-

oured the tourists. Dailey' gave us glimpses of genius before he became a permanent casualty early in the tour. Oliver had proved himself in the first flight of five-eighths before meeting with his injury in Brisbane'.” “ might have been a different STORY,” DECLARES MANAGER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 6. “ The New Zealanders might have won the Rugby tests in Australia if they had been able to field the best team available from the players on tour,” declared the manager, Mr James M’Leod, when the 1929 All Blacks disembarked from the Ulimaroa this afternoon. Mr M’Leod said that Lilburne was the real hero of the tour. In his opinion he was just starting to be a New Zealand captain, and played wonderful football. There might have been a very different story in the test matches if Nepia, Carleton, Oliver, Lilburne, Dailey and Porter had been able to play in the whole series. The Australians had shown distinct improvement, and the New Zealand selectors would have to realise that. This team was chosen without trial matches. Oliver was very clever, and did fine work in defence. Dailey was a real star in the only game he played, but the whole trouble was that, after losing him, the team had no half-back of real class. Tuck was a good player, but he was not a half-back, and Leys was not up to standard. “ The main cause of the 10. s of the tests was that the team had no safety

link between forwards and backs. Stringfellow made a very fine job of the full-back position, and played well all through* Hook was very erratic. M’Williams played fine football, and was very popular with the crowd. Pal mer and Snow also did well. The most improved and most promising player was Cottrell, the Canterbury hooker. Mahoney, the youngster of the team, a real giant, had great possibilities. “It was a pity the team had to travel a long journey to Melbourne after the first test, then go back to Brisbane for the second, and play the third, at Sydney on Saturday. That was a great mistake, and was the only thing about the whole tour that was badly arranged. “ Most of the injured players had shown great improvement on the trip to Auckland, but unfortunately Dailey might not be able to play again this season.” The Hon E. 11. Farrar, Minister of Labour, Industries and Commerce in New South Wales, who arrived by the Ulimaroa, said the New Zealand team was a fine, manly lot, and had done much credit to the Dominion both on and off the field.