THE ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 11

THE ALL BLACKS.

LONDON CRITICISM. INFECTIOUS LIVELINESS. THE CARDIFF STRUGGLE. (ei cable—peess associattdit—copxright) (Sidney "Scs" Szavicz.) LONDON, November 23. The "People" says tho All Blacks wero astounded at the criticism levelled at them after their match with London , Counties. They immediately held a consultation, and sent a member to tho office of tho "People." It was admitted that tliev were sometimes unnecessarily vigorous, but the Londoners were equally unparticular. It was agreed that the winning team's tactics were likely to result in obstruction, and the xVll Blacks announced their intention of amending them to moot British views, although referees "thus far had not penalised them. They repudiated the allegation that they were not amateurs. The team was out of pocket, owing to the Rugby Union's refusal to allow expenses on the scale which British touring teams had received. Tho "People" pays a tribute io the All Blacks' sportsmanship in altering their tactics. Tho New Zealanders have hopes of playing inter-team matches at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Oxonians boisterously entertained the All Blacks after the match. A student rodo on the bonnet of tho motor-bus to the station. Others were lying at full length on the roof, as the I bus passed through cheering crowds. I The All Blacks found the Oxford liveliness infectious, and merrily continued the rag on the train. The principal victim waa a prominent New Zealand visitor travelling with the team. Ono of the All Blacks 6aid: "Although there aro gay moments, : like Oxford, when we are .treated liko gods, wo train seriously, and never lose our top form. The secret of our continued success is strictness of discipline, quiet living, and stern training, whereas players unable to follow the same regime havo not the time to play daily and acquire combination and tactics. Several teams have tried their utmost to redeem Great Britain's prestige, but cannot hope to beat us bo long as their players come into the field direct from offices and workshops.". There was a great struggle at Cardiff. The forwards "held their own well, but tho pace and opportunism of the New Zealand backs turjied the scale. The Now Zealanders seized every possible chance, their forwards being as good in this resrjcct as their backs.

THE TENTH MATCH. IMPROVED TACKLING. DURHAM OUTCLASSED. • (WRITTEN TOE "THE TEESS.") (By L. Simpson.) DURHAM, October 15. The All Blacks made the pac6 a cracker at the beginning .of the. match against Durham,, the tenth of tho' tour, ■which iB also' the completion .of.; onethird of the matches- to be played. Everything waß ideal for a good ganto of . Rugby. The Poker Park ground ■was in perfect condition, and- the 14,000 spectators got value for their money. The ball was thrown about in great style, not only by the All Blacks, but by the home side as well. Tho difference was that the All Blacks gained much more territory in the many brilliant passing bouts than the home side. The spectators were much impressed with tho excellent all Tound display of the Bugby seen, and it should be the means of boosting along the game in the Durham County. Some of the tries scored by the All Blacks had the home side absolutely puzzled, as they had no idea what was going to happen next or even where the ball was, so sharp and crisp were the passes. Tine Kicking. Once or twice the home Bide had the All Blacks thinking as they worked the dummy well. The two goals obtained by Durham were - beautiful kicks, one penalty and one dropped from the field, both _by Alderson. Another splendid drop-kick by the samo player from near tho touch line hit the upright post high up and fell in the field of play. It was bad luck for a great attempt. The All Blacks' line was only occasionally in danger, but the defence \\as sound.

Irvine and McCleary wore very successful in heeling from the scrums, as they obtained the ball frequently. Had the All Blacks' shots at goal from tries and penalties been- more accurate easy, shots were missed—the score would have passed the half century. Without Nicholls there is a great weakness in this department of tho game. Much better tackling was seen in this match. The heels were the object instead of tho neck. Evidently somebody' has had a word to saj' at one of the team "tilks," where no one is spared, and a spade is called a spade. Only once in the Durham game did the silly kind occur.

Superb Forward Play. . The finest All Black forward rush took place in this match. It was just after the home side had registered a penalty kick, making the score B—3. In this great spirited rush the All Blacks simply brushed the opposition to ono side, and a slight knock-on spoiled a certain score. A score it really deserved. It was an old-timer. Out of tho 10 tries scored, West's was a fine one. He started a forward rush near his "own twenty-five, and carrie L the play right to the goal line, where L'o snapped up tho leather to divo over. On the lino-out tho All Bhicks excelled. I'rcm these several, fine ■ movements commenced, thy tall forwards Cupples and Stewart keeping Mill busy. The latter in turn sent the backs off in good style.

For the home side Short at half played a nice game and distinguished himself. .Ho fed -his backs well, but they failed to a-ccepfc tte opportunities offered them. He and Alderson were the pick of a very moderate lot. The forwards were outweighted and outpaced by the All Blacks. For the All Blacks Stewart, C'upples and-Irvine were the outstanding for-

although- the • others -worked well; Mill at half was at his best. He had a busy time. His try was obtained near the goal posts. Securingi from a scrum, he fooled the opposition beautifully. Porter was a hard worker throughout. McGregor was- successful. He. made some fine openings. Lucas replaced Brown at centre and was in excellent form. He played a great game. Hart ("three tries), and Svcnson were especially good on defence. The game was played in excellent spirit 3nd was controlled by Mr J. Brunton (Northumberland).

Notes. The present 1024-25 tour of the Ail Blacks is one of the best advertisements Xew Zealand ha 3 ever had. There is no question about that. A lot of good work is being done by the team in this direction. Hart would have scored a fourth trv •had he not crossed the dead ball line in endeavouring to score behind tho goal posts. The refereeing has improved during the last five matches, some' fine control by referees being seen. During the tcu matches played to date thero have been -151) scrummages and 710 line-outs.

RUNAWAY VICTORY. COMBINATION IN EVIDENCE NEPIA ? S COMEBACK. (wiUTTE.V FOR "THE TEESS.") (By L. Simpson.) BRADFORD, October IS. Another runaway victory was registered by the All Blacks in their eleventh game, played against Yorkshire, on the Lidget Green Ground, Bradford, yesterday, before an enthusiastic crowd of 15,000 spectators. If the All Blacks can maintain the standard of play at present being shown they need have no misgivings as to the results of future matches. This game was easily the best played by the 'AH Blacks. Their play was less individualistic, there being far more combined play, which was very fine to see. Although'they played a greater part of the game with fourteen men, thpy ran up 42 points in good style. Steel had retired hurt early in the game, and he could not bo replaced. The weather kept fine, except for a slight fog. The spectators went away woll satisfied that Bugby 'i3 a great game, after all, for it is having a lean time in these parts, as other codes are fairly strong.

Some of the players who had not struck form showed up better than before. Paewai, for instance, played'a good game. Hart went for his man in true Bugby style. He _ scored four tries and is a. much-improved player. Svensoij. was always about in the heavy work, and his try was well deserved. McGregor was in hi 3 right place, and he excelled in every thing' he' was called uppn to do. .He scored two tries. Dalley was in his element behind the scrum and'served his backs nicely. • Some-of. his passes were a trifle low, but he was good in defence and attack. Nepia was the hero of the matchr Behind a winning side he i 3 really- wonderful. Rarely did he mako a mistake'. He has been seen to better advantage with his line kicks, but where he did ,como-to light —and everyone had wonderod when he would—was in his Nepia came back to his old jself, and converted six:..tries and kicked two penalty goals —lB points in all. One penalty goal was- from. two yards beyond the halfway line, and one try" was converted from near tho touclx );ne. ; He was heartily applauded by the crowd for iia fine • display. • • ' Bailey, Paewai, and'' Parker were tnainly responsible for' Hart 's tries, as they each made brilliant openings. Hart has a.great turn of .speed, and takes a lp.t of catching when, onco he iB under, wajv The forwards worked together beautifully. Their rushes' were tremendous and difficult'to stop. Time after time they, simply .gwept the opposition -off their feet.

E. Myers, the great English 'lnternational half, played for Yorkshire. Except for a geni of a dropped goal which he kicked there waß nothing to worry about so far as his play was concerned. Dalley played a far better game. The Brownlies,-- with Stewart, played excellently, and' Richardson wa,s in his best form after a spell in Scotland. • He Bcored a good forward try, Mr T. J. Brkdburn (Lancashire) was referee.

REVERSAL OF FORM. THE LANCASHIRE MATCH. NERVOUS AND UNCERTAIN. (written fob "thj: tress.") (By L. Simpson.) . ' MANCHESTER, October 22., The attendance at the Lancashire match was about 32,00.0, and the weather after the previous day's steady rain was fine. The ground was soft and holding. The majority of the spectators seemed satisfied with the display of Bugby given, but to those who had seen the brilliant play of the All Blacks in the two previous games there was keen disappointment- at the high standard not being maintained in' this, tho twelfth match of tho tour. Although tho All Blacks were victorious, the play was by no.means first class. ' The handling of 'the ball 'was very poor. Rarely have so many dropped passes been seen, and at times the players.appeared tQ become rattled. Tl#re waa no occasion for as Yorkshire were only ■ a county side and had never played together before. In fact, many wero unknown to one another. Unfortunately, there waß in the concluding stagos of the game far too much vigour. One home player recently returned froiu. the South African tour made his presence felt, and he was very lucky to see the game through. The All Blacks scored seven tries and only.one was Converted, tho shots at goal being very wide of the mark. The heeling was not clean, the ball hanging in the back row of the forwards. This hindered the All Blacks from using their backs to" better advan- ° what of the Tature? The question now arises: What, will happen to. tho All Blacks when they meet teams who have been in training for several weeks?... Trial matches have been : played,.- and . teams have been chosen for strict training, with a view to stopping' the successful march of the now famous All Blacks. Sometimes-it makes one feel just a trifle uneasy, .but no doubt the All Blacks will rise-to the occasion when,the. time comes, for the goods are. there. Disappointing Exhibition. Looking at yesterday's game, there was really nothing brilliant in the All Blacks', back play- It was, in fact, disappointing. There were too many forward and dropped passes for an inter-

national side, Svenson ■was "perlisr? the best back. Cooke brought off one beautiful tackle, which saved a certain score. Dalley. was uncertain and has Played better'games-. Richardson shone in the forwards, and was easily the bi*si on the ground. He was ablv supported by White, who is certainly not at home as-a, front ranker. He is'fnr more useful in his usual position in the back row of 'the scrum. The home side were a hefty lot without any outstanding players. They were outclassed in almost all departments. Their full-back, Jlelhuish, had a time, and was their best player. Like many other sides, they continually found touch, and seemed to ha v c no confidence in their backs. Three of the 1905 All Blacks—Messrs C. Seeling, G. W. Smith, and E. E. Booth —were interested spectators at, this match. D. Helliwell (Yorkshire) was referee.

PLAY & PLAYERS, AN APPRECIATION. (WKIITE.V FOII "TBE TRESS.') (By Colonel Philip Trevor, C'.B.E.) LONDON, October ill. It is as I write about half-time in tlie tour of the New Zealanders in the British Isles, and at last I think thoro ia sufficient reliable evidence available for me to offer in more or less detail, an appreciation of the play and players. Speaking personally, I am glad, (may I say proud?) that I have nothing to take back from what I have already said. It will be within the recollection of those who do me the honour to, read what I write that after the iirst match of the tour I was rather lonely in what was called by a good many people mv- optimism. The large majority of those whose duty it i 8 to criticise play and players for our English newspapers did not agree with me. They held that in my case the wish was father to the thought, and that when I detected "germs" of better things to come they feared that I showed more imagination than perspicacity. Well, the past is the past, and the New Zealanders have kept on winning, while on one occasion only (tho Newport match) were they lucky in tho result of any game in which they havo taken part. Now I am going to say frankly that in my opinion they do not owe' their continued success to formation, and that remark ; applies to backs as well as to forwards. . There is no such tiling as the "correct" formation cither of a-back division or of a pack. Though, incidentally, I cannot help thinking that had these New Zealanders trained themselves t 0 adopt what you may call the normal formation—-full-back, scrum, half, stand-off half, four three-quarter backs, and eight forwards (packing th'reo-two-fch,ree) their successes, translated into actual point getting 'against British sides, would have heon even more pronounced than" they have been. It is obvious that I must ,substantiate that statement. I will try to do so. .I am not arguing, generally. lam merely speaking specifically in • regard to the New Zealanders. . In several of the matches - which they, have played they have needed strength in their „pack at a. time when there has been an excess -of strength in thoir "back division. The Stratcgy ; of the Gamo.

.Now the strategy of Rugby football is identical with, the strategy of war, and tj)e strategy of war .is summed up in the Napoleonic maxim;-"Be superior to your enemy at the point of attacks", That is to say, whero lie has one man you must'have two, and as the assumption ib, of .courscj' equal division of numerical strength, the execution of strategy depends upon either mobility •or the subdivision of your forces. With mobility lam not at tho' moment concerned, but only with tho subdivision of force?, Napoleon did not say that in order to get this superiority at the point «£ attack you were-to t.ako a man from a spot in the field at which you were weak, thereby rendering, yourself weaker still there. Still'less did he say that you were to do that removing when .you were already strong at the point- of attack. Th'e New Ze'alanders arts' always attacking. - Their forte is their back division, • so for all practical purposes the-point of attack is where that back division is working, and here I come-to mymain point. It is.common ground that'the seven men New Zealand pack has],at least two or three times been held (perhaps more than hold) by British eight-men packs. Furthermore, I say I 'without fear of contradiction that quite often have I seen the New Zealand- back division embarrassed with riches. . '■ Let me not |b6 misunderstood. I have never seen its members get in ono'another's way, but.often I have seen the try-getter (after a combined movement) finish with' at least two supporting players in attendance, and I li&ve noted something else frequently. I h'ave, when victories have been gained (as they mostly have been) with comfort, two and three members of ■ the-' back division- have scarcely boon used at'all.' Let; mo put it this way. Suppose by reason- of injuries received during the game tho New Zealand back division- had lost a couple of its members,"and tho captain had' declined to denude his pack to Bupply the vacancy caused in consequence; lam convinced- that the scor-ing-would have gone' as ' it had been going before. It is, I say, a definitely -established fact that the New Zealanders have just about as good a back division in attack as has ever been seen, and I shall hero, adyenturo a prophecy. Should a member of the New Zealand back division become hors de combat in an important game, and the' captain of the side takes a man from his pack to fill the supposedly vacant, space, he. will make a tactical error of considerable magnitude. That vacancy is,. I maintain nominal only. The New Zealanders could * cope with 'these sides better than any team I could name if they only had six backs in that - division.' That statementshows, for what it is worth, my opinion of the men collectively and individually who play in the rear of the New Zealand scrummage.

The Writer Perplexed. Of Nepia, the full-back, .1 have already written. He is to be appraised rather. by ndding his pluses than by deducting his . minuses. The b'g things he does are in advance of the big things which any of our modern British full-backs can do. Le •has few minuses, but one of .them is astounding indeed,. almost inexplicable. He sometimes fails to gather a dry ball when the turf is firm, and at a time 'when he is not being hustlca. I am glad that it is not my job to choose the three-quarter line for the first International match. I_ don t know whom to leave out. I mus^ bave Svenson in. Side-stepping ot the kind of which he is capable_ is .invaluable to a wing player; and I must have Steel with his strength, his speed, and his determination when be goes fnr the line..- I want Lucas. I a.so lint Brown, and what about Robilliprri ? "CooKe iB one of the test pla;re?s I have ever seen. If wore available for one of our best (playing our . normal formation in the rear of the scrummage) I would put ham in any position, and feel confident tnat

he was the right man in the. right place. Almost equally do I appreciate Nicholls, whilo Dalley improves his reputation in every match in which he plays. If I havo to plump, I think my back division would be Nepia, Svcnson, Lucas or Brown, Steel, Cooke, Nicholls, Dalley, and Porter. I am probably wrong, but that is the impression I have gathered from what I have seen.

In the pack I want the Brownlies (certainly M. J.) and Cupples, and I have to have Irvine; Donald, lam sure, should bo in it, and I'm sure Munro. I .have already ■ given seven names. lam dismayed at the automatic exclusions the naming of these seven hag brought about. You may sruile as you read, and 6ay> "Can't you find anything for Parker, Richardsou, West (not to mention others) to do?" WelJ, I give it up.; At the samo time I do not think that .the'success" or. failure "of the New Zealand pack (and I do not anticipate the' latter) in the first International match will depend upon personnel. You could choose three forwards, and then draw the remainingfour from names in a hat, and still get appreciably the best possible pack. In this matter it io measures not men that will count. Tho New Zealand forward play in the tight (there has never been anything the matter with it in the loose) is definitely and steadily improving, and yet there is still some room for improvement. Ought not these forwards to go down quicker, and be a little more keen on getting "first shove"? Should not the tallest men among them do more in the line-out for the men in the rear of them? These are the lines on which improvement is chiefly needed. I will say, frankly, that I have never seen better tackling forwards, and in making that statement I do not anticipate contradiction from any quarter. Their superiors have not been seen.

Lessons for England. To 6um up I would say that these interesting and capable tourists have not taught us much in .regard to formation, but in regard to individual per-, formanec, and, more especially, in regard to performance in combination, they have taught us, and are teaching us, a great deal. In regard to formations, whether of backs or forwards, the last word is still a long way from being said, and personally -I do not think, to use an . Irishism, there will ever be a last .word,. but as a fleet, clever, mutually understanding and interdependent team I have not seen the superior of the men-who are now touring this country and winning match after match with comparative ease. • Admittedly their really stiff trials are still to come, and I, for one, do not think they will come just yet. As I had- expected would be the case, they are having no difficulty in winning their matches in the North of England. Some of- the officials with the team said to- me prior to the commencement of this northern tour that they were told that it was in the northern counties that they were to look for squalls. I disagreed, and predicted for them a peaceful passage. So far I have read the barometer aright, but the first International match is at hand, and when I next write Ireland v, New Zealand will have been played. I grant that in the last two seasons Rugby football has made great strides in Ireland, and that for the first time for more than twenty years there .is an Irish back division which counts. Still, that division is not, in my opinion, comparable with the New Zealand, back dmsion as a cohesive attacking unit. Inc. Irish forwards are reasonably good in the tight scrummaging and fine in the loose, but I cannot think that in team work the. Irish fifteen can rank with the New Zealand fifteen, and for that reason alone I do not anticipate the defeat of the tourists at Dublin on November Ist.

1905 AND 1924. A COMPARISON. Fso±r Ocra Ovr.v Cossssp^srairr. LONDON, October 16. Tor tbe tenth or twentieth timo in London journals a comparison of the present All Blacks team .with the 1905 team is made, on this occasion by "Y.8.M." in the "Daily Mail." It is very difficult to form a true estimate of "their relative values, says this writer, as our game has changed so considerably, and the present oppo-

sition provided by tho specially selected county fifteens is much- stronger than the club sides which were 80 easily overcome by Gallaher's men, as witness tho splendid fights made by Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cheshire. The 'first AH Blacks revolutionised the game and, thanks to tlie lesson' learnt from their visit, we are in a far better position to anticipate and combat the attack of a combination of star players' who engage in a more open and faster gamo in- New Zealand than we •do in ■ this country. Those of us who followed closely the fortunes of the first touring team think they wero the finest' body ' of- Rugby players that ever took tho -field. Our present visitors, liowevor, are unquestionably a magnificent team, possessing • pace, weight and -cleverness, but in my opinion they are not quite so good as their predecessors. The. pick is powerful and clever in the loose, but do not excel-in scrummage work. Neither Have they a Hunter, the finest fiveeighths of all time, though A. :E. Cooke is supposed ' to : be his replica. The -present back . division 'do. not' appear to .run as straight, as did .. P. Roberts, G. W. Smith and Stead, but in "G.-Nepia they possess a full-back who will compare with the best yet capped by any country, but it will take a powerful team to lower their colours.

"Welsh Preparations. At the last ijieeting of the "Welsh Rugby Union ■ (says the , " Athletic News'") teams .were selected for a trial match to be played at Aberavon 'On Thursday, and the G-eneral Committee (not the "Big Five")- chose two sides, in each of which there will appear seven forwards and eight backs. It may be taken as a fact that the general opinion in Welsh Rugby circles is that the seven back game is best suited to the genius of British football, not merely Welsh, but English, Scottish and Irish. The action of the Welsh Union Committee to some enthusiasts seems like disloyalty to the ancient faith. The argument- is (and it. is supported by Dr. Morgan, who played in tho 1905 international game) that Wales should play eight - forwards, scrummage resolutely, heel quickly and attack persistently. Those who. oppose, the cight-back game say that Welsh teams will be hampered by attempting to improvise at short notice a system of attack foreign to their experience. They say that inevitably tho New Zealanders will have an advantage if they get an equal share of tho ball, 6inco they are experienced in exploiting the extra man. In answer to that it may be said that Wales did improvise a system of attack in 1905 which fairly outmanoeuvred the All Blacks. The one try scored was a perfect triumph of tactics, and in addition W. Llewellyn just failed to score again because he could not hold the the defence beaten. In 1905 Wales used the eight backs. The only mistake was that instead'of attacking persistently as they should havo done, they attempted to" sit, upon a too precarious lead. These changes have beea made in S iew of the fact that the International will be played against New Zealand at Swansea on November 29th, two months earlier than the international campaign usually opens.