TRIBUTE TO LAWTON.

Wairarapa Age, 5 July 1932, Page 5

TRIBUTE TO LAWTON.

SATURDAY'S TEST MATCH.

RUGBY AT ITS BEST. BRILLIANT COMBINATION BY AUSTRALIA. (Received Monday, 8.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 4. Press comment on Saturday’s Test generally acclaims the exhibition as Rugby as its best, sternly fought and at all times brilliant, always fast and clean and full of unexpected incidents. Lawton’s experience, the Sydney “Morning Herald” says, welded the team from the beginning as individualists into a brilliant combination which well deserved their victory. The New Zealanders fully maintained the All Black standards, especially the forwards, than whom none better have come across the Tasman.

The “Telegraph” quotes an old saying that tests are too hard to be brilliant, yet Saturday’s match, though terrifically hard among the fiercely battling forwards was also marked by elan, especially in the second spell, which roused the onlookers to unusual excitement. Any All Black prestige dimmed by the dismal spectacle a week ago has been fully restored. Lawton, old in years as footballers count time, fired his men with wonderful zeal. Both sides missed chances through infringements. Lilburne was out of his place at fullback. Kilby was solid but unenterprising and the wingers, Proctor and Bullock-Douglas should have been more prominent.

The “Labour Daily” says Lawton’s genius led Australia to victory. “The All Blacks have made a fetish of the English rule of kicking into touch. There is consolation in the fact that while New Zealand adopts these tactics the Australians’ fast open game will always triumph.” The paper declares that Lilburne let his side down badly and should be sent home. The forward's excelled but the backs were spoiled by overmuch kicking. With the adoption of Australia’s open style, McLean, Purdue, Bullock-Douglas, Pollock and Proctor would get into anv international side.

TO-MORROW’S MATCIt. PERSONNEL OF ALE. BLACK TEAM. (Received Monday, 7.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 3. - The All Black team to play New South Wales on Wednesday has been eelected as follows:—Collins, Proctor. Page, Holder, Innes, Lilburne. Kilby Solomon. McLean, Steere, Clark, Barrv’ Hoze, Palmer and Cotterell. INJURIES TO PLAYERS. SYDNEY, July 4. As evidence of the strenuous nature of Saturday’s Test, Caughev has an eye almost closed, Bullock-Douglas as injured leg and Proctor’s hip is hurt. They should be right again in a few days.