ALL BLACKS ATONE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 196, 20 August 1934, Page 8

ALL BLACKS ATONE

DEFEAT OF AUSTRALIA fI.Z. TEAM IMPRESSES TEST PROSPECTS BRIGHTER [By Tdecravh—Press Association— Conyrirht) Received Aug. 19. 7.5 p.m. BRISBANE, Aug. 19. The All Blacks have tamed Australia’s Test backs. .That is what close students of the game thought as they left the Exhibition Ground after seeing New Zealand beat a strong Australian fifteen by 11 to 6. The weather was fine and there was a little breeze. The ground was fast. The match was disappointing to the | crowd of 15,000, but those -who know their Rugby found plenty to interest them. The main factors in the first lest were reversed. The Australian backs were not the speedy greyhounds they were in Sydney. The New Zealand forwards saw to that but in doing so neglected real forward play to such ai. extent that the Australian eight were slightly superior on the day. When it is considered that Bonis gave Malcolm and his men another feast of the ball and that Australia failed t«. cross the New Zealand line, the extern, of the effective stopping may be fully realised. These tactics also had the effect of slowing the game up, and it a pity that such a large crowd was not treated to a better spectacle in a centre where the League game is so strong. Still, the All Blacks felt it incumbent on them to win and set about it in the way they thought most effective. The result proved their tactics sound. Looking round the star players on Ihe New Zealand side it would be ham to go past Manchester as the best forward. He was up with every bit of play, tackled demoniacally and rucked solidly. Next to him was McLean, who worked like a Trojan throughout although he is not as fit as he would like to be. In the backs the winners ( were best served by Lilburre. Again he never made a mistake in kicking, handling or tackling, and was content not to run up with the backs to-day as he did on Wednesday, for he realised that these tactics would not pay as play was swinging. Griffiths again showed that he is developing into one of New Zealand’s best backs, although to-day saw the backs get very little opportunity for attack. Bridle was easily Australia's best player. He broke from the scrums with < amazing speed and some of his solo dashes were delightful. Had he been supported Australia would have had at . least one try. Most of the Australian ’ forwards, except Hodgson, who was a passenger owing to an injured leg, did well, however, on account of finding ‘ the New Zealand pack with their attentions divided Bonis outhooked ; Lambourne 37 times to 22. It must have been heartbreaking to him to see the Australian backs fail to make use . of the opportunities presented to them. Vincent, who is regarded as the successor of Ross, started shakily again ' and again looked as though he would 1 repeat Wednesday’s exhibition, but the young Queenslander rallied splendidly and played brilliant football in the second spell. The only other Australian back who played to his true form was ( Kelaher, but, like McLean, he received very limited chances. New Zealand scored in the first ten - minutes as a result of a neat individual effort by Holder, who must be running Bullock-Douglas close for a Test . place. The ball came to him ten yards from the liiv and though he had little j room to move he made no mistake. Lilburne sent New Zealand further ahead with an accurate penalty goal from a } reasonably easy position and the crowd began to yell: ‘'Come on, Aussies,” as though the greens were a beaten lot. Certainly the All Blacks dominated the early stages. Even play followed, with Bridle's individual brilliance giving Australia a chance to make up the leeway. He was always unsupported, however. Doneley, the Queensland forward, who was placed in the team largely for his kicking, was then given his first chance at goal from near half- ; way. He made no mistake and Australia were only three points down at the interval. It was a game of the rugged type of play in the second spell. The Aus- : tralian backs tried short-punting but 1 the bounce never once favoured them. There was tremendous excitement when Doneley made the scores equal with an- • .other penalty goal, but the New Zea- 1 landers did not leave much doubt about their ability to win when they came back with persistent attacks, launched 1 mainly through the mistakes of the Australian backs. This was how they t scored the winning margin. Page high- ! punted from a penalty and Towers called for the ball, only to drop it badly. The New • Zealand forwards kicked ahead, and both Vincent and Kelaher failed to keep out McLean, who forced his way over. Lilburne converted. The dying stages saw New Zealand in the ascendancy again, and anJy a technical knock-on saved a certain try. New Zealand made last-minute alterations in the team. Barry playing in place of Max, who was originally chosen instead of Mataira. New Zealand’s Test prospects were certainly enhanced as a result of to-day’s success, but the form of the Australian backs was too poor to be true. The Sydney Cricket Ground should hold a great crowd for the final Tett and it certainly looks to be anybody’s game, with the odds slightly favouring New Zealand. FOR SECOND TEST NO AUSTRALIAN CHANGE Received Aug. IS. 7.5 p.m. BRISBANE, Aug. 18. The Australian Rugby selectors have decided to maintain the first Test team for the second Test next Saturday.